Hello,

My husband and I just got our second husky, Onyy, 3 days ago. He's 15 weeks old, and has been getting along with Odin (8mo) nicely.

The only concern I have is that Onyx has been refusing to use the dogs toilet area (it's a small space at the back of our house, concrete flooring, easy to flush). Odin has been using the toilet obediently, no accident inside the house nor his crate AT ALL since 2 months ago (yay).

The dogs sleep in our bedroom, so for the past couple of days I've been diligently taking Onyx to the 'toilet' after he woke up in the morning, after meals, and after vigorous play time. If he refuses to go, I try taking him again half an hour-an hour later, but still no go!

I'm a little surprised at how well he can hold his bladder at this age (no accidents during the night so far), but this has been a horror for me! I tried tethering him in the toilet area for a bit this morning and he cried murder. The moment I gave up and released him, he peed somewhere else (rag, floor mat, doggies' water bowl lol).

What could be the problem? Does he just simply not like to eliminate in the same area as Odin? I can't housebreak him if he won't go where I want him to Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Perhaps he doesn't like the texture of the concrete. Dogs are funny critters, lol, it could be several reasons....he wants his own area away from the other dog, maybe not enough privacy where you are designating, and the one that seems logical to me, he probably prefers a grassy area. Do you know where the breeder allowed for potty? It could be he was taught on grass and not concrete, many people prefer dogs not going on concrete. My suggestion is if you can not allow him his own area that is grassy, you may have to deal with it until he is older and gets the idea. I know both of my girls will not do there business at all on concrete, and my older girl likes to kick up after she goes, no way to kick up dirt on concrete, lol. Hope that at least gives you insight, not sure if I was much help.

MiyasMomma wrote:

Perhaps he doesn't like the texture of the concrete. Dogs are funny critters, lol, it could be several reasons....he wants his own area away from the other dog, maybe not enough privacy where you are designating, and the one that seems logical to me, he probably prefers a grassy area. Do you know where the breeder allowed for potty? It could be he was taught on grass and not concrete, many people prefer dogs not going on concrete. My suggestion is if you can not allow him his own area that is grassy, you may have to deal with it until he is older and gets the idea. I know both of my girls will not do there business at all on concrete, and my older girl likes to kick up after she goes, no way to kick up dirt on concrete, lol. Hope that at least gives you insight, not sure if I was much help.

His breeder let him go potty on a concrete area too. The breeder said that Onyx knows how to ask to be let out of his crate at night to go potty already (by crying lol). However now he goes potty at completely different time than what his breeder knew. Thanks though, I might try taking him to the grassy area. I was just hoping he'd do his business in the same area as Odin, that'll make life a lot easier He went potty in front of us – though not in the designated area – a few times so I guess privacy isn't a problem.

You could try to train him to the same area by giving him something in the area to pee on that he's more comfortable with. An old towel or rag in the right area that he's willing to pee on, then over time remove the rag. Hopefully he'll associate the act to the area.

Speaking of funny places to do your business. My husky likes to do #2 right in the middle of the road. He's got grass on either side of the sidewalk for the entire walk, but he'll often do his business right in the middle of the road as we cross the street. Much more exciting to clean up after your dog while also playing frogger.