Woof to you Curtis,

I have two Soft Coated Wheatens. I got the first 10 months ago from a lady in Tennessee. She is the problem. She never liked to be caged at night. It also rained a lot this winter and we put in a sprinkler system. We have a nice back yard and a patio. Mattie prefers to urinate and defecate on the concrete part of the patio. She doesn't like to get her dainty feet wet.

We have no problems with the 5 month old Wheaten we bought to keep Mattie company. They're great playmates. How do I get Mattie to stop peeing and pooping on the patio?

Thank you in advance.
Tom

Dear Tom,

When humans first attend school, they learn about the three “R’s.” Well, some of us pooches learn about the three “P’s” – pee, poop & patio – and it appears that’s what Mattie may have learned.
Sounds like Mattie has an aversion to water or to being wet, which may have been the result of water being used as a form of training or discipline since some humans spray water on us from hoses, spray bottles or super soakers to stop us barking or engaging in some other behavior they find undesirable. That, or, perhaps, she likes to file her nails on the concrete as she “covers up” her poop – and what female doesn’t want beautifully manicured nails?

Nails aside however, to get her to pee and poop on the grass, there are a number of things you might consider. There are liquid dog repellents you could spray on the patio. You could tether her in the yard. You might want to collect her poop from the patio and place it in the yard, where you want her to go – as well as tether her. There may be electronic devices to keep her off the patio and on the grass. Then, there’s discipline, which some humans avoid like dogs avoid rabies judging from how some human kids behave! And there’s Mattie’s veterinarian as well as a host of canine behavior specialists and trainers with whom you can consult.

Tom, bottom line is that you have a smart dog with a will-of-her-own and you need to be firm in a positive way. Meanwhile, back to the three “P’s”. There’s a fourth one and it’s praise. Be sure to offer lavish praise whenever Mattie moves from the patio to the yard as it’s an impawtant part of any behavior modification training program.

Meanwhile, gotta run…nature’s calling and there’s a patch of grass in the yard with my name on it!

Curtis the Dog

P.S. Meanwhile here’s some stuff on Wheatens from the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America