So my poor little 3-year-old 14 pound Chihuahua/dachshund mix refuses to wear a sweater or coat. Like if you put it on him, he will put his tail between his legs and refuse to move. He’ll just stand there until he falls over and then he’ll just lay there until you take it back off.
This morning, it was -3F out. He went out the dog door and came right back in. Then he peed on the bed and pooped on the floor.
Other than putting down puppy pads, does anyone have any advice?
Here is a picture of Charlie for cuteness. He has a broken ear. My wife claims it isn’t broken, he was just born that way. I say it’s broken. Look at it.
Update: We got a loose shirt on him and cut off the collar and sleeves. This is how it’s gone so far:
“Please take my shirt off.”
“No, it’s very cold.”
“I don’t care, I poop inside anyway. Take my shirt off.”
“No, I just told you. It’s very cold.”
“Okay, I get that. Now take my shirt off.”
“No.”
“I’ll just be pathetic and lie around and keep my tail between my legs. Take my shirt off.”
“NO!”
“I hear what you’re saying, but take my shirt off.”
“Sigh.”
You could try using his food as a training help. Put his jacket on him before putting down his food. Take the jacket off as soon as he eats or , at first when he will take a bite from your hand. After he is willing to eat then move his food so he will have to walk in the jacket to eat. My poodle would not wear a jacket and I did this to help his mind get out of that stuck mode. He still doesn’t like it but he will wear the jacket now. My next thing is poodle shoes, fingers crossed.
Do you think it will work enough for him to be able to do it within a couple of days? I don’t mind trying that as a long-term training solution, but I’m hoping there’s something I can figure out what to do in the short term.
I think, after reading all of the other comments, you might have quicker results with the “carry to the potty spot” option.
That really depends on the dog. If you start with him hungry you might be able to shift his thinking quickly. That way he has some incentive to try.