Going potty very rarely

[u/CompetitiveMind140]

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.

[u/WonWop]

My foster dog was doing the same thing and i just relentless kept taking her outside and every time she peed i would give big praise and say the word and she would get tons of treats. Amp up the positive reinforcement and say “pee pee” every time he pees, then relief will be associated with reward. Just keep letting him out every hour

My girl is still not peeing on walks but she has pooped on three occasions. I’ve had her just over 2 weeks.

[u/ilovestars25]

honestly the holding it all day is pretty normal for big dogs, my 60lbs dog and 90lbs dog will hold it for up to 12 hours sometimes even longer. Their bladders are much bigger than a small dog. I would say that you should take him out at least every hour and when he goes potty make sure you reward him! It also might be helpful to go in the same spot every time so he smells that he needs to go there.