Ask Dr. Diane: My Newfie Won’t Pee in the Yard!

Dear Dr. Diane: I have two Newfoundland dogs. One is 2 years old and his brother is 11 months. We have moved  in the last  two months and the younger of the dogs will not pee in the back courtyard. I have put down some grass but he has just stopped. When we take him out, he will pee no problem but when at home he will just hold himself. We have done all sort of things to encourage him but he remains with a full bladder until he goes for a walk. Can you help us please!

Your 11-month-old Newfie is still a puppy, and he is still learning to adapt to you and your family. You have just (within the past two months) moved to a new house with which he is relatively unfamiliar. His daily routine and environment have been altered, and he is not sure that it is acceptable to do his business in your courtyard.

He may regard it as an extension of his new home in which he has been trained NOT to urinate or defecate. Remember, these gentle giants, with their sweet temperaments, just want to please you!

I would take him out in the courtyard on a leash as though he were going for a walk and stay out with him. Have him observe his older brother pee and poop there, and praise your older dog when he does his business so that your younger dog can see that this is acceptable and desirable behavior.

Continue to take him on walks outside also as he can become ill if he doesn’t regularly do his business. Be patient with him, and give him some time to adjust to his new circumstances. Just as many people who live in a condo or apartment and don’t have a back yard, you may have to continue to take him for walks outside.

They both sound like great dogs. Just praise and pet them whenever they do their business in the courtyard.

Do you have a question for Dr. Diane? We’re proud to say she provides expert tips here on DogTipper so please send in your questions on our Ask Dr. Diane contact form! Dr. Pomerance is an animal behavior specialist and an expert on topics such as deciding which puppy is best for your family, how to pick out a rescue, and on healing from the loss of a pet.

For More Information on Dr. Pomerance:

• visit www.animalcompanionsandtheirpeople.com
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About Paris Permenter and John Bigley

DogTipper publishers Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-wife team of full-time writers. The couple has authored over two dozen books and 2,500+ magazine articles.

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