My newly adopted 6 month old Jack Russell terrier refuses to do her business outside?

I just adopted a 6 month old jack russell terrier. She refuses to go do her business outside.

I would take her to the yard and wait with her for a half an hour at a time and she still doesn't do anything. The second we get back inside, she goes on the closest rug.

What should I do?




Hi
During the first 6 months of her life, it's possible that your pup hasn't been given any 'housebreaking' instruction. If she's always just done her business wherever she wanted, she's no idea that this isn't acceptable behavior.

Now she's in your home, you're going to need to start 'from scratch' as it were, and help her to understand the new rules. Just taking her outside isn't enough, as she is old enough to have reasonable bladder/bowel control and unless she realizes that she's SUPPOSED to be eliminating outdoors, she'll just 'hold it' until she's back inside.

First of all I would recommend that you read my Potty Training and Crate Training pages. Then go and buy her a crate and start at the beginning.

Unless she's previously been made to stay in a crate for long periods and been allowed to mess in it, chances are that she will not soil it. Housebreaking her using the crate will make the whole process quicker and easier, and protect your rugs too.

Housebreaking can definitely be a challenge, and it takes patience and consistency. But if you show her clearly what you expect, and take measures to help her be successful, you should be able to housebreak her within a few weeks.

Best of luck with her.