My puppy is almost 6 months old. When we first got her, our backyard was only 3/4 fenced in, so we took her out on a leash to do her business. A week ago, we finally got the fence finished. We had these grand visions of her exploring the large backyard and playing for long periods, while we could accomplish stuff indoors, and wouldn't have to crate her. Well, when we put her outside, she just sits by the door and barks. I've tried just sitting where she can't see and hoping she would just give up and go do her thing. But, she just keeps barking. So, I go outside, and as soon as I come out, she goes potty. I'm guessing she's just used to us being out with her, but how do we break her of this "neediness"?

Hummmmm, check the sticky on housebreaking and you won't find any help there on this. It is all about the importance of being out there and praising him. Try taking her out and then walking away from her.. She may slowly accept you being further and further away. If she really needs to go, she may not be able to hold it and follow you. If she stops to relieve herself, praise her. If she insists on being on a leash, use a long leash and walk away from her.

Early socialization is very important. I haven't had a problem with puppies not making the transition which I do as soon as I figure the puppy is too big to be snatched by a hawk. I haven't heard of others in my group having trouble either. The dog guide school does expect the dogs to relieve themselves on or off leash and on grass, gravel, and pavement. The manual doesn't say what to do if they insist on being on leash. I have had puppies that didn't like to be outside by themselves. Nugget was a strange little Lab. He was as quick to bolt out an open door as any dog. However, if he saw you coming with a leash, he would run up to you. Why run by yourself when somebody will walk with you? He was the second puppy we raised for the dog guide school and a real challenge for as low as we were on the learning curve back then. You learn from experience. Maybe that would have been a better name than Nugget. Life would have been easier if he would have spent more time outside like many of our puppies. At times I would tether him where he could see me working in the yard. He would bark until I took him in and put him in the crate. Some of our other puppies were the same way. I know what you are talking about, even if I don't have a whole lot of help.

Try playing with her outside. Throwing a ball might be a way to get her away from you before she relieves himself. Try planting treats around the yard. Now that you have the fence, invite playmates for her.

We have a fairly large backyard, about 100 feet deep, she has no problem being at one end of the yard while my wife or I are at the other end, as long as she can see that we're out there with her. If we go around a corner, she gets all upset. I think she has clinging issues or something ;) well, I guess I'll try the hiding treats in the yard thing... other than that I don't know what else to do other than just let her bark until she's tired of it. Hmm

My rule has always been the dog gets let in at the first bark.

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Originally Posted by treyball3

We have a fairly large backyard, about 100 feet deep, she has no problem being at one end of the yard while my wife or I are at the other end, as long as she can see that we're out there with her. If we go around a corner, she gets all upset. I think she has clinging issues or something ;) well, I guess I'll try the hiding treats in the yard thing... other than that I don't know what else to do other than just let her bark til she's tired of it. hmm

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I had the same trouble my first dog. At first I took him out on a lease, for close to 2 years and when we got a house with a fenced yard he still wanted me to be with him. This went on for maybe a month and I continued to go out with him , but I'd go off to a different part of the yard. After a couple of weeks of this, I would wander toward the house and leave him out there. I would go stand at the door so he could see me. After about a week I would just go in and leave the door open so he could come in at will. This probably took a couple of months for him to get used to and after awhile I could open the door and out he would go. When he wanted back in he would bark. Hope this helps

That's actually what I started doing last night. :) I let her out and then I stood inside the sliding glass door so she could see me. She went and did her business and even snooped around a little bit. Looks like this is the way to go after hearing that it worked for you too.

Trey, since she is young it should not take as long, as it did with my dog. Just make sure that you follow labmans suggestion about 1 bark at the door and then let her back in.