Ive read a few posts already about potty training but i think i need some direct tips. Heres the background and maybe part of the problem:
Kodak was rescued when he was 6 months but for the last year hes been an outdoor dog. Ive recently moved back with my parents and decided i would take care of him and give him free roam of the house. Its my third day having him indoors and still trying to figure out if hes potty trained or not. So hes about a year and a half and very shy and timid (will cower down to the floor when walking towards him, but he was NOT abused by my parents, i remember him doing this when we first found him). I take him outside on a leash every 1 1/2 - 2 hours, but hes only peed once with me there and yes i did praise him. He did try to run behind the tree and out of my view. Usually he just sits around watching me. I took him for a short walk to see if he would pee other places and on two occasions he started sniffing, lifted his leg, then looked at me and decided not to pee. This leads to another question: Is he marking his territory or peeing? and is there really a difference so long as he relieves himself? He's neutered by the way.
I wait outside for about 20 - 30 minutes and if he doesnt do anything we usually go back inside. Last night, I left him on a leash and i sat on the porch pretending to ignore him. I saw him go behind a pot and i assume he peed. This morning i put him outside on a leash and when i went back outside to check on him, i saw poop! Im starting to think he only potties and poops when im NOT watching him.
Hes had two accidents inside. One was the first night, and it was really late and he got up and pottied on a piece of paper lying on the floor. The other time was yesterday when I left him inside for about 3 hours by himself. I gave him free roam mainly to test him to see if hed potty indoors by himself. He went pee in the hallway. Hes been inside by himself for a longer period of time and did fine.
Any tips on what i can do? I plan on buying a bell to train him to ring when he needs to go, but im worried that hed ring the bell if he just wants to sit outside for a bit...
On another side note regarding his feeding schedule. I TRY to feed him twice a day, but hes very picky. I keep the food out for about 20 minutes and if he doesnt eat it I put it up. Hes only ate his food twice, so im getting worried about that also because i dont want to make it seem like im starving him. He usually has water at all times but hardly drinks any. Prior to his indoor lifestyle, hes had free food and water all day. My dad said hes picky and needs it to be left out and hell eventually go for it. Can i break him of htis habit?
SORRY for the long post, but really need some help! Kodak depends on it!!!
