I can always tell when Cesar is saying something I need to hear because I end up swallowing my teeth - g.

What jumped out was "make the relationship work". Ill bet most people will flinch at the minimum time involved. This last weekend my friends who foster a german shepard rescue for a group went to an interview with a woman who wanted to adopt Lady. Now Lady has severe health problems that will cost thousands of dollars to correct.

The adopting parent laid the money on the table "whatever it takes", she says. AND
the two german shephards she already has, who were brought to see how they would get along with Lady were absolutely out of control. The rescue organization gave the money back and said - "get your dogs under control and then we will talk.".

God bless all of you who work with Rescue who have the courage to take those steps.

Yet, holding the mirror up for our other human relationships, how many of our primary relationships are just put on the shelf after a few months, to run on auto pilot.

Steve came home yesterday and within thirty seconds, responded to Signal Bears desire to play enough that Signal was all wound up. I dug my heells in and told him. "before you take off your clothes, you step outside and throw that squeeker for him for 5 minutes - just 5 MINUTES!!!

When they came back in, Signal was absolutely back in calm mode. But the shocker for me, was so was Steve. In just moments, Steve had discharged all the crap, energy he brought in from work and his 45 minute commute. It was the most peaceful, enjoyable, sharing weekeday evening I can remember having in a long time. All because I took Cesar's techniques and applied it to my primary relationship as well!

Attitude seems to be a factor as well. If I see it as "work", it becomes a snarling dynamic, grudgingly done - no different then Signal pulling back on the leash cause "he doesnt wanna!!!" If it is seen as just one more ingredient, like baking a cake, then the process becomes an envoyable event to be savored!

Hi CJ,
Thank you for that wonderful blog!
I just love this site. It's sooooo cool to be able to chat with other dog lovers that are willing to put in the REAL time it takes to care for these lovely animals.
And your welcome for the rescue comment. I work with a rescue group and I am a very serious and commited person.
I have a interview tomorrow with a family that wants one of our dogs and I have a whole file, 4 pages of topics and concerns to discuss with them.
One of the things I do discuss with any family wishing to adopt is "do you watch The Dog Whisperer?" And then I ask them how they feel about the show? And I'll be recommending Cesar's book, along with my usual library of books that I insist they read BEFORE any dog is placed. All available at any local library. If a family isn't even willing to read a few free books, do I really think they will invest the time and everything else that really goes into rescue dogs in a responsible manner? Hmmmmmm?
I was really happy to hear that before they brought another dog into that particular house they took a look at the other dogs and how the behavior was with both the family and the dogs!
Your friends deserve a pat on the back. :) And you do too for making the positive changes! Isn't it wonderful to see and feel the diffrence?
I agree with Sarah. Progress is being made! Yeah! Yeah!

Yes, VERY good post, CJ! :)

Dear Cesar:
We have adopted a Male White American Eskimo - "Sammy"
he is a big Marshmellow and is very loving towards the family. He had many "issues" when we adopted him 1 year ago. He had no socialization skills and would snap at people. We thought that he had overcome things, but recently he has started doing this again, including with me. I am afraid that he will just nipp at any quest to the house. Is there something that you can suggest. When I take him out for a walk, he spins, he attacks anyone that even comes by me.. HELP!!!! I watch your show every friday, have bought your book, but I MUST BE DOING SOMETHING WRONG.
Thanks
Darlene

Dear Cesar,
I have 1 year old Pit Bull "Cujo",he is the sweetest dog in the world. I had some obedience training done when he was a puppy and he learned a lot. He was crated for about 8 hours until I get home from work and he was doing really great. I never had problems with him in anything. Well, that changed recently after I moved to my parent house. Now I have all kinds of problems that I never experienced before with him. He chews everything to pieces when he gets placed in the crate, wheter it's plastic bottom, blankets, even the cage metal wire which he injured his mouth by chewing on it. since I moved to my parent house I replaced two cages. He was crated for a year and I never had problem with him chewing on his blankets or destroying the crate. Also, recently he started jumping on people, and also went potty inside the house which I never had a problem before. I can't understand the sudden behavior change. Every day for past month, he did something out of his character and it's just getting worse. Please any suggestions would be helpful!!!

Sarah- Cesar's techniques make everything easier I love turning people on to his ideas. They have all become as hooked as me. Good luck with your baby it sounds like you are on the right track.

Discipline boundaries and limitations,,,, when I think about it I need to picture them when it comes to dogs,,,, I would love to hear from you, how you apply this phylosophy to your own dogs,,, I really need examples and what works for you, and how the dogs respond to such lifestyle, because it is a lifestyle, it is a style of life where you are discipline your dog, having boundaries and limitations,,, so I hope I can get answers and lots of positive experiences, thanks.

Completely off-topic here -- Cesar was supposed to be on
ABC's "The View" this morning. I DVR'd the show, and the
description says he is one of the guests, but I watched
the whole show and he was not on. The hosts didn't
mention anything. Anybody know anything? I saw a list
of TV shows he is going to be on someplace, but I just
searched the web and now I can't find that list (that's
where I saw The View appearance listed for April 11th).

Cesar,
I have a 7 yr old shitzu that I adopted from a lady who had found the dog. Since no one was responding to her flyers to find the dogs owner, she started looking for a home for the dog. I went to visit Beauregard and it was love at first site. Beau is a very friendly, loving dog. However, I work all day, approximately 9 hours that I am away from my home, I never know what I will find when I get home. From the type of damage that Beau has done to my home, it is like he is trying to escape. I am very good to this dog.
When I get home he watches every move I make and follows. I give him lots of lovies, and pet him alot. He seems perfectly content when I am there, but when left alone it is demolition time. What is up with my little Beauregard? I mean, he has chewed the door and window trim, treatments, the carpet in front of both doors. Today I was just beside myself when I came home he had chew the grids between the window panes, loosened the glass, and it is broken all over the floor along with the chewed up window grids. He was sitting out on the deck waiting for me to get home and let him back in. I believe my dog may need doggy prosac. I am at my wits end and I love this dog. Please help. I am having new doors and windows put in my house to make my home more energy effienct, and this is a big expense that I hope I do not regret due to my dogs behavior. I am having a doggie door put in the new back door at the factory. I sure hope this ends the problem. My back yard is fenced in, but he has dug under it before. Anyone have any ideas to help my dog settle down?

Beau,

Start with mastering the walk with your dog. I hope you've got his book and DVD to learn the importance of walking him and the correct technique.

Cesar says a house is a crate, just a large and nice crate. Your dog needs to be walked at least 45min everyday.

Digging says he's probably very bored and exercising him with the proper walk will help.

Giving affection at the wrong time will add to his problems. Cesar says; 1. exercise 2. discipline 3. THEN affection.

Good luck and please get the tools that Cesar has provided to learn how best to deal with your dog's behavior.
Reading the blogs here will also help.

Konnie,
The answer is YES!! You must "master the walk" -- the
dog needs a structured walk every day for exercise
and discipline. Play is part of affection, it is not
considered part of exercise. Well before I ever heard of
Cesar Millan, I learned that all dogs must be walked to
burn off excess energy, such as that which is making
your dog eat furniture. 45 minutes a day, minimum.
I walk mine 45 minutes, twice a day, and sometimes that
is still not enough. Dogs were meant to walk. That's
why, if you see a stray dog, he/she is almost always
walking for many hours of each day. Playing in the
yard is another way to burn off energy, but it cannot
replace the walk, which inherently includes the
leadership factor that many humans are not providing if they just let the dog play in the yard. Part of the walk
is establishing yourself as the leader of the pack.
Read Cesar's book, and watch the Dog Whisperer TV show.
The book is fantastic. As soon as I started reading it,
everything just CLICKED in my head -- and I started using
the techniques right away, and the difference is truly
amazing (in ME, not the dogs LOL).
I see I'm repeating what Sarah said to Beau -- I just
noticed that when I scrolled back up! But it is the
same answer for both Beau and Konnie. The dog must be
taken on a structured walk daily. It might help to seek
the help of a professional trainer, as well.

I had a malamute that was a very poor match to my energy level and experience with dogs. She was 5 months old when I got her & had lived in 4 homes. She was not an agressive dog, but one of her people had encouraged play biting, which made me nervous. Everyone told me, including my vet, that I should give her up. I couldn't. I tried to decrease the destructiveness with long walks everyday & lots of obedience classes. She became a wonderful dog & lived till she was 14 and a half. I really miss her.

Are you crate training the new puppy? That puppy as well as your older dog need some time to relax and be calm. This will help with your other dog getting attention as well. Crate training will help with the potty training, and the jealousy.

When she is distracted, get her attention and wait till she goes, there is not much more you can do then wait.

Let me know if you have any more questions about this.

Julie

Hello- Can anyone advise me on how to housetrain a toy peek- a-poo ? She is now 10 weeks old, we've had her for 3 weeks. She still potty's in her cage. Both poos and urinates(especially overnight). Is she still too young to make it all night? I have her out every half hour to potty during the day and she will go. But, she has once or twice a week gone in the houseas well. I do not give her water in between feedings unless she hasn't had much water at mealtime. She definitely potty's (pees) every half hour or so. I can't believe how much she goes. The lady we bought her off of said to put her food in her cage at mealtime and let her eat in there. Put water outside to drink. Does this establish for her not to potty in her cage? Any advice is appreciated!!!!

We have a cat and it meows at night and wakes us up. She is about 11 mounths old and spayed. Her name is Sweetpea. she looks like a siamayse. Her mother had her under our potable building and had a black brother and a gray sister. the black one we let go in a park that my unckle eats lunch at every week day and the gray one got pegnant so we had to give her up, her name was Marsha. Sweetpea and Marsha played a lot together untill we had to give Marsha up. Sweetpea has some friends that live around here. As I said she meows ALOT and we can't stop her. I know that you usally work with dogs but can you PLEASE help us?

Lori,
My cat meows all night, too. And sleeps all day. She
is 15 y/o. I've always figured there's nothing I can
do about it!! Cats are very independent animals, and
I've never been able to "train" them to do a whole lot
of anything (I used to live on a farm where there were
28 cats!). I haven't been able to figure out what the
meowing means. I thought maybe she was "complaining"
about the litter box if I didn't clean it or something...
but she does it in other rooms too, so that's not it.
Sorry I couldn't be much more help other than to say
you're not alone, it seems to be a common thing.

Hi Jenny,

When you bring a puppy into a household that has an established "older" dog, it can get quite frustrating for the existing dog because the puppy wants all the attention from you and the dog and Gatsby isn't too trilled having a 5 year old trust her affections on him. Crate training is an excellent idea. It should create a "den" effect for Shasha and never be used as punishment.

As far as bringing a new dog home to another dog. Unless you bring a rescue home, it is best to bring your dog to the rescue first for a meet and greet. It would be best if your dog could help select which dog it prefers. If that isn't possible, they should meet in neutral territory.

I would also suggest a baby gate to separate the dogs sometimes. The puppy is overwhelming Gatsby and and will continue to do so. Are the dogs separated when no one is home. If they aren't, you could come home to a bloodbath. The puppy may send Gatsby over the edge. I have 3 rescues, 1 puppy and 2 adults and it took several months before I let the puppy really socialize with the older dogs because of his puppy energy. They all get along well (although my 12 yr. old female really puts the puppy in his place and he doesn't test her).

Have you enrolled your pup in a puppy class? That really helps with training your baby girl and will help you gain control over her. Most pet stores, like Petco offer them on their property or ask your vet for a referral. The more training you can do for Shasa, the more Cesar's DVD and programs will help you.

Good Luck!

Karen,

Congratuations on getting your puppy. Are you aware that puppys do have to go potty every 1 or 2 hours at first. Wnen I got my puppy, also at 10 weeks, I put his crate on the bed with me and kind of slept with one eye open. If I heard any fussing, I took him out, to same place everyday. I used a halter and leash for him because he was so small and everytime he did his business, I praised him and gave him a cookie. Your puppy is not being walked enough if she is doing her business inside her cage or the cage is too big for her. Dogs do not poop or pee where they eat. That is an an instinct thing. If she is in a larger pen or crate, resize it so she can just have her bed or whatever she sleeps on and her bowl and just enough room to stand up and turn around comfortably. With too much room, she doesn't know where the boundry is. After eating, she should be walked 30 minutes after. Also, she needs to go out right after a nap. If she is in a larger area, put wee wee pads down. They are plastic backed sheets that attracts dogs and they actully go potty on them. Afterwards, just throw them away. You might try using a couple, then gradually eliminate the area where she can go.

The rule of thumb is pups can hold it 1 hour per month old - 1 month, 1 hour - 3 months, 3 hours, etc.

Bottom line, read or view all the informaton you can, besides The Dog Whisperer because you never know what will work for you. Any tools you use will be helpful at some point in your puppy's training.

Good luck!

Good Day KathyB,

Roman sounds like a loverboy all right but he might be feeding off your anxiety of him being respectful of your invisible line. Dogs are not perfect but they come pretty darn close and the sight of your pup with a toy in his mouth must be very cute. He should be kept on a leash so you can correct him when he gets overly stimulated. And, remember what Cesar says (you should advise your guests), no touch, no talk, no eye contact. They should be able to get inside your house before Roman goes "spaz" on them. It's a very good thing your big boy is such a sweet boy too.:)

Hi Karen!
May I also suggest....potty training has been pretty easy for me whenever I had a puppy.
What I did when I had a puppy is I would time it and every 30 minutes (if they are awake) I would make the puppy (if a bigger dog like a pitt, rott, husky, etc.) follow me out the door. Smaller puppies (toy poodles, etc.) I would carry to the door and then put them down and make them walk out the door. I would not say a word to them until they did their business, then I would praise them IMMEDIATLY as that's when they start to put two and two together the more you do it.
If the puppy is sleeping and wakes up I immediatly do what I mentioned above....if they are up playing and are awake I time it and every 30 minutes I did what I mentioned above.
Good Luck and have a BLAST with your new family member!!!! :)

Deanne,

I don't believe Cesar has done an episode on special need dogs, but that would be very interesting.
If you go to his website and email making a request, he may just be interested enough to do one. Can't hurt to ask.

Good luck with your sweetie.

Jenny,

Talk to your vet. I can't believe a puppy can hold her poop for 12 hours only to eliminate in her crate at night. You should check to make sure nothing else is going on with her, medically.

Italian Greyhounds are such lovely dogs but are very sensitive to things. As I posted earlier, if you can place her crate on the bed so she can see you or know you are nearby, it might help. This is just temporary until she settles down in her crate at night.

Please have her checked out at your vet as well.

Cockers x 3,
Thanks I will have her checked. She did fine when she was sleeping in bed with us and could go through the whole night. Maybe she is just nervous about being in the crate right now.

I have a major problem on my hands. I am new to this site and hope that I will find the help that I need here. I have a 7 yr old lab/chow mix named Jack. I got him from the humane society when he was 4 months old. Without giving every detail, he was socialized from the get go and always got along well with other dogs (ie. entered doggie daycare without hesitation/aggression). A few years ago, he was attacked by a pitt bull (the other dog was off of a leash). Thankfully he "won" and was not injured. I was super nervous walking him in my neighborhood after this event. I had NO idea the longterm effects that this attack may have on my dog. In short, Jack is now agressive towards new dogs. I can't take him to the dog park, I can't let him approach another dog on a leash (he is super aggressive toward them). THe kicker is that he gets along really well with the dogs he has known for a long time. I now live in another state and there is not one dog that he can play with. I do not trust him to play nice. PLEASE give me any suggestions to get started. I hired a dog trainer here (I am limited with choices here b/c I live on Maui) and she basically 'gave up' and said that his genetic package and the attack have made him defensive. I refuse to give up on my dog! Thank you for your help!!

Good Morning Susie Claire!
I am not one of the "pros" here, but by your post could it be that you may be projecting your nervousness onto the dog?? They feel our emotions....excitment, frustration, tension, etc. Maybe also he/she could be the "pack leader" or thinks he needs to protect YOU and is acting that way because of it? Just some thoughts to throw out there to think about!
I know if I am frustrated or having a bad day...my walk with Roman is frustrating or nightmarish UNTIL I finally acknowledge what I'm carrying around emotionallly, let it go and continue on with the walk and BAM all is fine. Good Luck & I am sure you will get alot of great help here!!! KathyB

In reference to numerous comments I've read on this blog about allowing one dog in your pack to be dominant over another, where is this information? I would like to read more about it.

It seems to me that Cesar rewards the dog that is most calm-submissive, and not dominant. And another example was making the dominant Katrina dog (the Akita mix) wait the longest to join his pack.

I try to make my dominant dog wait the longest, so that it is reinforced even more so that I am the leader. However, if the dominant dog is calm-submissive and my other dog isn't, I reward the dominant dog. How does everyone else handle this kind of situation? Thanks for the input in advance!

Good Morning Kate G:

When there is a pack mentality in the household, you do not determine which dog is the dominat one, they do. Once you observe the behavior of your dogs, the ones that submit (roll over and expose their belly), then you can assert your role as pack leader and choose who eats first by watching their behavior at feeding time. If your dominat one is also calm, he/she will eat first. If your dominant one fusses or acts out, he eats last. You must watch your dogs and how they relate to each other to determine the roles they play. It is very interesting and you will learn a lot about dog behavior and this will help you in the outside world because you will know your own dog's behavior - you just have to keep an eye on that other dog, and how that owner relates to their dog.

Keeping your dog(s) safe is the main thing.

Kate G,

Was my comment one that you were referring to about giving the most dominant dog things first? I read that on some website when I was trying to get help with Sasha's jealousy. It might not have been reputable, I just google searched "dog jealousy". I am sure whatever way Cesar does it is right and will work just fine.

Viv, I truly believe that you can train any dog, at any
age, "the walk." But you have to be 100% committed to
learning and mastering the walk. I see that you mention
that she rides well in the car and greets visitors well.
That is really good, but dogs are meant to walk, and
riding in the car is sort of un-natural to them as far
as nature goes. If you can try to get your hands on the
episode of the Dog Whisperer where Cesar helps acclimate
the young Viszla to city life after he moved to the city
from the country with his owner. That dog was afraid of
everything in the city, and the owner was unable to walk
him. Cesar had a lot of really great ways of helping the
dog overcome its fear.

Another really great episode was the one with the Standard
Poodle who spun around in circles every time a car came
by, strangling herself on the choke collar and putting
herself and her owner and the car drivers in great danger.
Try to see both of these episodes. I think they will be
on the Season 1 DVD that comes out at the end of May.
One of them may be from Season 2, however, and those will
be being run in repeats over the summer (I think!)

Susie Claire said: "I was super nervous walking him in my neighborhood after this event. "

Viv AND Susie Claire: I suggest that you both may be
projecting your own nervousness to each of your dogs.
Remember that Cesar teaches humans that dogs live in
the moment, and dogs do not anticipate what the traffic
is going to be like before he leaves his house, or whether
that pit bull or another dog is going to be around the
corner. But we humans do, and I have learned from Cesar's
show and book that I need to stop thinking about that
stuff ahead of time. I was literally immobilized for
almost two years because of thinking about what "might"
be outside prior to leaving the house for my walks with
my dogs. It has been really, really difficult to re-train
MYSELF (LOL!) to stop projecting about what's going to
happen. It has taken months of practice, and I still
messed up last night and got dragged down on the ground!
The dogs definitely pick up on that energy, just with you
THINKING and imagining bad stuff might happen. I speak
from my own experience. If I so much as think there might
be a dog up ahead, my dogs both perk up ears up, tails up,
looking left and right and forward, pulling me. And all
I did was think about the possibility. It is not easy
to rid yourself of that, but it will help if you can do it.
I'm up to about 70% of the time. Pretty good for a stupid
human (LOL!)

I think mastering the walk will actually help you both.
Watch Cesar's show as much as you can so you see the
techniques. Seek professional assistance if you think
you have to.

Good luck! Thanks for sharing and keep us updated!

Thankyou for the reassurance and advice.Its quite a relief to know its our behaviour causing problems because I knew deep down we've got a great dog here! We also don't have National Geographic but found the site here by chance.I'm going to have to get Cesar's book.I know our dog has been generally more responsive when I take control of my own reactions!She was very aggressive towards other dogs in the vet's waiting room yesterday morning when I took her to be spayed.On collecting her in the afternoon I told my husband about what I'd read and seen on this site and suggested we receive her back without emotion and unnecessary words.As so many of your posts have stated- we must remember that dogs live in the moment!I plan to learn from that!

I have my own petcare and dog walking service,threw word of mouth have gotten to be the one to call if you have a large breed, not very well trained, shy, agressive, or unruly puppy or dog.I've had much success in dealing with most problem dogs,but have 2 dogs from the same household with 2 very different problems.Otis and Ashley are Rotties and from the same litter with very different personalities, they are now just 2 years old. I've taken care of them since they were 14 weeks and are well socialized and happy dogs. The problem came about with Otis when he was about 18 months, he now thinks men standing still are challenging him or are some sort of threat and will lunge at them.After putting him into a SIT! I have enlisted some brave souls to walkup to him, let him sniff, pet him and then give him a cookie.I'm figuring this way he will realize men standing still can be good things. He will then be fine with that person and actually greet him the next time we meet, but the next stranger will get lunged at.Is this the correct way to go about this? He is actually a very friendly and lovable dog with everyone who is just going about their buisness, it is just men standing still looking at him!! I can't tell men to keep moving and don't stare, so I have to deal with him! Got any hints? His sister Ashley on the otherhand believes it is her job to rid the world of birds and squirrels. I have never worked with a dog that is so fixated on a bird that she will bark, cry and try to climb the tree to get to it! At this point she will not respond to her name, come, sit, a bump from my leg, a tug on her leash, and I even tried the wimpy way out and mentioned the "cookie" word, to no avail. Is there something I am missing as a way to get her attention? They have always walked wonderfully, but now she has gotten so bad with this it is impossible to take them for a walk in the park without her pulling me, so the walk just becomes miserable for all involved. Any clues? I need some help!

Sorry Deborah, I didn't realize these are your clients'
dogs -- wonder if the clients are walking them ever other
than having you do it ?????

Hi Cesar,
I have the most beautiful dog, inside and out. She is the perfect companion. I have tried to use all the great information from your programs but the problem we have with Lexy is her seperation anxiety when we leave. She spins, jumps on blinds and is very distressed. I would love to have you visit but if that is not possible can you give me some advise? I think what you do is incredible!
Best regards.
Brenda Thomas
Bakersfield, CA

Hi! I own a 7 yr.old chihuahua/rat terrier. I adopted her 5 1/2 yrs ago.The one problem I have had all this time is that when I put on a collar, just around the house, she lays her head down, drags her head & remains on the bed, floor, wherever & won't move. If I put a leash on, then there is no problem. I have kept the collar on for hours & even 1day onto next. She will not eat or go outside. She holds it until I remove the collar. When we walk, she takes her halter just fine, as long as a leash is attached, but once removed, down goes her (P-Nut) head. I feel like she feels she is being punished by putting on her neck collar. License wise, she doesn't wear one around the house nor the yard. I am always concerned she may one day get lost & won't have any I.D. because of her "PHOBIA". WHAT TO DO???? I have no way of knowing if this may having something to do with her 1st parents treatment.

"The one problem I have had all this time is that when I put on a collar, just around the house, she lays her head down, drags her head & remains on the bed, floor, wherever & won’t move"

Try this: whenever you take her for a walk (with collar & leash) put *2* collars on her. Make sure the 2nd one is very light weight - even just a piece of string tied so that it can't choke her. When you come home, take off her regular collar, but leave on the 2nd one.

If she tolerates that (basically, if she doesn't notice it) keep doing that and gradually over the next few weeks, increase the weight of the 2nd collar - you could try string beads on it, one at a time, for instance.

When the weight of both collars is about that same and she seems find wearing the 2nd collar, then start taking THAT one off and leave on her regular collar.

A runner's worst fear, a dog, can also be a runner's best training partner. A K9 running partner offers many benefits for a runner. A dog adds a sense of security. A dog is always ready and willing to run. A dog never criticizes your running form. A dog does not chatter on about personal problems. A dog does not mind running the same boring route every day. A dog does not complain if you spontaneously change your daily route.

Here are some common sense guidelines for selecting a K9 running partner: http://shepherdguide.blogspot.com/

I was very pleased to see Michael's post that a dog does
not mind running the same boring route every day. So, I
figured it applied to walking, too. I've been feeling
really bad because I keep making my boys walk the same
route twice a day. I even say "same ol', same ol'" to
Hobie when he "asks" me to go left instead of right! LOL!
That's my signal "Same ol', same ol'" and then he knows
we're going the same old way. So, it made me feel some
validation. On the other hand, I also am glad to think
that the dog doesn't complain if you spontaneously
change the daily route!

I need help with my "Sammy" he is really regressing back to when we got him from the pound. He is so sweet natured and My Handsome Boy ( which he answers to when called by me ) BUT he is snapping at anyone who comes near me, my husband, my kids. HELP

I have an almost 2 year old English Bulldog and whenever we take him out for a bathroom break, he dawdles around and will not poop. He pretends to be looking for a place to go and then he will dart around the yard to play. We will spend sometimes up to an hour waiting for him, then when he finally goes, it's like he can't hold it any longer. We usually praise him afterward and play with him, so that he doesn't think he has to go in right afterward. Sometimes he just does not go and so we put him back inside, but on rare occassions he will go in the house only minutes after we have brought him in. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Bulldog Lover