Talos doesn't like going outside in the rain. He bangs on the door with his paw, I open the door and he turns tail and runs away from the door. Five minutes later we go through the same routine.
I'm a busy girl, I've got better things to do than play doorman to a wimpy dog who won't go outside.
I come up with a plan. I'm going to outsmart this big baby. I put his collar and leash on. He commences wiggling and prancing. "I'm going somewhere!" (I can read his mind.) I put the coat on him, hoping to buy myself a few seconds to get him all the way out the door before he puts the brakes on.
I take him to the front door.He's never been out that door, ever. Even more exciting, he says! I open the door, rush out as if there's something exciting out there, and of course he follows me. Once I have him outside, he realizes it's raining. Thank goodness I put the coat on him, he notices the rain, but isn't traumatized.
He's so interested, though, in the front yard that it takes him awhile to remember he has to go. Finally he gets it and does his business. Back inside we go, all content and relieved.
After his lunch, he goes to the front door and whacks his paw. I guess he's decided that the front door is the rainy day door, while the back door is the regular, any day door.
Habits form quickly. Make sure you're fostering the good habits, not the bad ones. It's so much easier to create the habit you want. It's hard to get rid of a habit you don't like…
Silly Boy!!! Since you are being trained for balance mister, if i get you, you will learn to like the rain!!!! Go Potty, it’s bad to hold it.
What is the name/brand of Talos’ jacket?
That is really funny. I had to trick Tula today too because if she sees its raining, she refuses to go through the door and instead offers all sorts of behaviors(sits, downs, etc). One day I had to carry the now 70 lb dog a block away from the house to get her to start walking 🙂 So, today we went out the garage and we were in the driveway before she realized it 🙂 Don’t know if that will work tomorrow, but I tried to play some squirrel chasing games in the rain (that we don’t normally play on other days) to make the rain very special 🙂
Emily thanks for the comment. I’ve been meaning to get back to you – I’ll send an email later today. Give Tula kisses from me! I love that we can get behaviors from our dogs other ways besides force! 🙂
Kathy, the coat is made by Foggy Mountain Dog Coats. They have coats made specifically for Danes: http://www.dogcoat.com/index.php?id=16 When you look at the coats on the site, you’ll notice how much better those coats fit than the one Talos is wearing. Talos’ coat is WAY too small. It’s not actually T’s coat, but Nemo’s – it fits Nemo much better. 😉