We bought a 14 week old female rotty puppy from our local pet store 3 weeks ago. We are crate training her and she seems to have gotten that concept down fairly well- the problem exists when we try to take her outside- this is after being in the crate for a few hours - or after just being outside- it doesn't matter- she pees as soon as we open the door for her- even if she just went.
We can't get near her collar to help her out the door or in without her peeing everywhere. She hates to go through any doorway and pees if we make her go in or out of any door- even an inside one.
We also let her out onto our wooden deck which is only 2 steps down to the yard. The first few days- if we went out and stood in the grass- she would come down and run around then do her business. Now she only comes into the grass and sits at our feet. We cannot just let her out on the porch on her own because she doesn't go into the grass unless we go with her.
We had a rotty puppy that we trained 15 years ago- she was so easy to train- she was 8 weeks when we got her. She passed away about 2 years ago. We are extremely frustrated- someone please help.

From 8 weeks old most puppies start being toilet trained... same as your old one was, however with pet store puppies, especially ones as old as the one you have now they are not trained at all... they spend every hour of every day in that tiny little pen in the pet store.

You say she will only go out on the grass if you are with her... well, this is what you are going to have to do until she gets the idea. I know it will be a pain it the butt but it's the only way she will learn is if you physically go out there with her.

Is she a fairly timid dog?
Does she urinate in the house when you bend over her or go to grab her or is it just at random?

She is a great dog- I wouldn't say she was timid.
Any time we go to reach out for her- if she is standing- she dribbles.
This morning I went out on the deck and held the door open and said nothing to her -it took a minute but she walked out on her own and didn't pee on the floor.
If we talk to her or call her name or pet her when she is standing she does pee- but if we are sitting on the floor & she comes over she is fine. Very frustrating.

I could be very wrong but have you had her bladder checked out by a vet?

She may have a weak bladder and she just can't help leaking.
The other option I was thinking of was a problem that usually occurs when people return home, their dog gets excited and the just "forget" to control their bladder, very different from physically being unable to control it.
The first problem can be fixed by your vet with medication (sometimes surgery)
The second problem is usually fixed with a bit of training. You have already done the first step involved.. ignoring the dog.

When they urinate because they are excited the best thing you can do is completely ignore her when you let her out of her crate or when you open the back door to let her out.

I would just be opening the back door (loudly so she knows it is open, installing a bell might be a good idea)
And just going outside and waiting...
When she goes out side and follows you onto the grass praise her, make her feel like she has just done the best thing in the world.

I asked whether she was timid because one of mine does almost the same thing... she does not urinate but she cringes when you bend over her.

She has a submissive bladder. It is not a physical issue but more of a emotional one. She is unsure about herself and this will change if you giver her love and show some patience.

I'm hoping that it's just that your dog gets excited when you get home. Shaz is right. The best thing you can do is not make a big deal when you get home. When we trained our puppy we never went straight to the crate to let her out either, we waited a couple minutes because it was exciting just to hear us come in the door. As long as she hasn't been left alone for too long in her crate, try to wait until she's calm before you even open the door. Don't make eye contact with her until she's calm and once she is then let her outside. And, as Shaz said, stay out there with her until she goes if that's how she figures out what she's supposed to be doing out there. It really sounds to me like she's developing some separation anxiety, but with training you'll be OK.

We can't get near her collar to help her out the door or in without her peeing everywhere. She hates to go through any doorway and pees if we make her go in or out of any door- even an inside one.


I have a bit of a different take on her problem.

I don't know what happened at the pet store, but I think she is afraid and showing it. I would guess that the 'clerks' grabbed her collar to pull her where they wanted her to go (more than likely they were standing, too). I would guess that part of it was keeping her from going through doorways when they were cleaning her cage or showing her to customers.

I would almost bet that she is trying to appease you like she would a dominate dog by urinating. It is one form of submission along with showing her belly.

With a lot of patience, care and treats or toys (whatever currency she prefers), you should be able to show her that she doesn't have to be afraid and help her develop her self-confidence.

Very true Cat, most pet store employees do not care about the dog at all, they just grab them and pull the through the doors.