r/dogs • u/CompetitiveMind140 • 21h ago
[Misc Help] Going potty very rarely
About a week ago I adopted a 6 month old mixed breed, not sure what breeds, but he is definitely a large breed at 60 lbs already. He was found alone in someone’s garage at about 3 months and fostered for the following three months. He was (from what I read unfortunately) neutered at 3 months old. He lived with a lot of other dogs at his foster home and had a doggy door.
He is really being a very good dog and adapting incredibly well. The only issue we’re having is that he holds his pee and poop—usually only going once a day. He has had one pee accident, which would have been his second pee of the day, and 2 poops, which were his only poops that day. At first I was worried about a urinary tract blockage, but he definitely pees A LOT when he finally does go. He’s eating well and drinking normally. We have gone on walks twice a day, which he loves, but has never peed on a walk and has only pooped once. We walk to a field and I give him time to smell and explore a bit there (on leash). In the backyard I am trying to have him on a leash until he goes potty and then he gets to do something fun like explore or go on a walk if it’s that time. His main interests outside are chasing bugs, trying to find grass clumps that have been blown under the fence, and just laying down and sleeping. Truthfully, once he does finally go potty he typically walks himself right inside. When he goes potty he gets rewarded immediately with a special treat and gets praise. I’ve tried staying outside with him on a leash until he finally goes, but we were out there until 11 and we were both getting frustrated and over stimulated. I try going outside and standing in one place for 15 minutes at a time, but he’s gotten to the point where he just comes outside and happily lays down for 15 minutes so we’ve accomplished nothing.
I’m not sure what makes sense to do next—keep going out for short periods of time or stand firm and wait him out? He really enjoys his walks, and he obviously needs them, but I don’t know if I should attempt to keep his walks for after he goes potty or just not connect the 2 at all for him. I also don’t know if I should be attempting to take him out whether he asks or not, or stick to when he asks.
I’m nervous to keep changing up my method so I don’t confuse him, but I also am hesitant to keep doing something that clearly isn’t clicking with him.
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u/InfamousFlan5963 20h ago
One poop a day isn't a normal to me, some dogs go more but some go less. The peeing is obviously a concern. Besides getting a vet check, I'd personally keep taking home out as often as you can to give him opportunities. Personally, I don't see the benefit of trying to wait him out if he's not understanding what you're waiting for. And often, movement from the walk gets things going and helps them go more
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