I am almost banging my head against the wall over my purebred male, neutered Maltese who is 6 months old. I got him 6 weeks ago and he was already toilet trained. Since it rained about 10 days ago, he is now scared of the garden/grass - won't go anywhere near it even if you put treats/toys etc. So of course now he is pooping and peeing in the house - on the carpet, on the couch, on his bed etc.

I've tried sitting in the garden with him on my lap to prove its okay, then transferring him to the ground, but he just trembles until I let go at which time he does a bolt for inside. He has a dog door so its not that he can't get outside - he is choosing not to.

Since he was already trained, I have no idea why my yard is suddenly so scary (going for walks is still fine), and why he now needs to poop inside, when he knows what he did is wrong. I've put out puppy pads with that attractant stuff dripped on it, but he just curls up and sleeps on it instead.

HELP!

Your dog is now a insecure dog and nervous. That's why he now pops and pees in the wrong places. What ever happened with the rain that made him nervous needs to be Delta with by YOU creating a presence of being calm assertive and being the pack leader in the house so puppy feels safe protected by the presence of the pack leader YOU.
Since he has now associated the pad with safety and comfort you can now use this to your advantage. Dogs don't know are language. They associate with sound smell and energy being put off by you or other another You need to become the pack leader so your dog trust you more.
I know he is young be what does that have to do with a pack. A pack and pack leader roams here and there. The little dog follows that safe positive energy. Dogs are fairly quick learners and live in the Now.
Lets start you out to be a pack leader. A lot of patience is needed on your part because he has young energy on his side. When you take him for a walk don't let HIM lead you out the door. Open the door and keep him beside or behind you. When he calms down and you are in front YOU go first. When you walk him he will be a bundle of energy. Keep him beside you or behind you at all times. If he doesn't get it STOP and let it take as long as it takes. He is to be beside you or behind you. Again he is young be patient with him. This may take many hours and days to get this one down. Once you get that he now sees you as a pack leader and trust you better.
In the house learn to claim something. If he has a toy he likes to play with claim that toy. Block him form playing with it and claim it like a pack leader would wood. No need to talk at him just claim it by blocking him. Claim his bed too. Claim parts of the house. A pack leader just claims what ever it wants no talk just the power and presence does it. Don't even look at him when you claim the toy. Use your hand and just a shh once when he tries to get the toy from you. You MUST do this and be VERY calm and assertive. Do the same thing when he wants to jump up on the couch. He is not to come on the couch until YOU invite him. Now you are becoming a pack leader and he will trust you even more. This will greatly help for the outside problem of the grass
You have a nervous insecure dog now and become a pack leader is what he needs to feel he is safe and protected by the pack which is you and whoever is in the house.
Now once this goes well you can use your new pack leader skills and pack leader strength in calmness and take pups out to the grass.
Now out in the grass you are going to use the puppy pad and the drops. He feels safe with the pad and also associates it with the smell. I would use some drops of smell in the grass to get his nose going. This will be WAY bigger effect than a treat, The dogs nose is way powerful that way. Now that you have the walking skills down you can lead him on the grass as a pack leader. Remember pack leaders don't ask the pack to follow and talk about he LEADS by his presence and power. So do this and drop some drops in some spots. The dog brain will be realigned and fixated on the smell as you walk into the grass. His brain will forget quicker of being nervous when the Nose kicks in. look at how a dog will be walking or playing with you and all of a sudden the nose jerks the body and brain to the smell in a split second. You van even put the dog pad in the yard some where he can also associate the security of the pad he sleeps on and the security you provide as a pack leader. Remember think like a dog and not as a human.


Signed 21 Boat

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You might wonder what the above has to do with your dog being afraid of your yard, but if you become the pack leader, which is crucial, everything else is a cinch.

If you want to learn the basics, and why being a packleader is important for your dog, take a look at the link I've posted. It's very helpful in understanding the mentality of the pack. There are several other videos by Cesar Millan that you can buy, to learn how to correct certain behaviours quickly.

Cesar Millan - People Training For Dogs

Be prepared... this video is about 45 minutes long.

EDIT: Another tip I want to add to the above post. When walking your dog, keep the leash to the top when walking, and remember that if you are uptight or nervous, your energy passes right down through the leash to your dog. Keep the leash relaxed, unless you need to make a quick correction. Also when taking your dog out to the backyard, do it matter of factly. If you are nervous that she will be nervous---then she will.

Thanks 21Boat and Starbucks8 - I'll get cracking on reinforcing my rank in the house! I do let him take me for walks so its obvious who has the upper hand! I think I freaked out over the nasty behaviour and he must have picked up on that. (he's my first dog - can you tell? Lol). Because aside from the issues I mentioned, he really is the loveliest little thing and for a puppy he's a really good boy when it comes to the other puppy issues like chewing, barking etc). I think I pander to him too much, probably out of guilt that I have to leave him alone while at work, though he doesn't seem to worry about that - judging by the toys strewn from one end of the house to the other and the empty Kong when I get home!

Ahhh, yes! We humans do that to them don't we. We dote on them. There is nothing wrong with that, but that is entirely for us, and not for them. ;) When will we ever learn? Lol They are just too cute not to love them up! Just remember the 3 rules. Exercise, Disipline... and then Affection. That is when you can love them up all you want It's the humans treat for doing what their dog needs them to do! :D

Tamarachelsea, I'm so glad it worked! :) Sorry that you now have to give her more baths. Lol.