[nagdu] Pickup The Poop

[Julie J.]

For those of you who have dogs who have been taught to relieve off leash...

the first step to be able to pick up after your dog is to get them to 
relieve on leash.   It's a process and it can be frustrating, but with time 
and patience it is doable.  My Belle had never relieved on leash before I 
got her and was opposed to doing so for a good while.  This is how I worked 
through it.

First I had to take her out in my fenced yard off leash.  she would always 
go as far away from me as she could.   At first I stayed put and just let 
get her used to me being there.  this is probably not a step you will need 
to do.

Next I would move a foot or two closer to her each day or couple of days, 
whatever seemed to not interrupt or disturb her.  She was a rescue dog and I 
think she had been housebroken roughly.  She did not like anyone even a 
little close, so it took time.

Next I put her on a very long leash. I used a flexi and I think it was the 
26 foot version.  I let her sniff and circle and do whatever she liked.  I 
stayed put and turned away from her so she didn't feel I was looking at her.

As with the off leash portion, I gradually shortened the space between her 
and I, until I could use a regular leash of 5 or 6 feet or whatever.

Finally, I got to the part where I could touch her while she was going to 
determine what she was doing where.  At first I talked to her softly, then 
touched her neck and shoulder.  Eventually I was able to touch her back.  I 
also practiced with moving around just a bit so she wouldn't be startled 
when I would bend over to pick up after her.  I also had to work in getting 
her used to the bag because sometimes it would crinkle or move if the wind 
blew just right.  If she seemed unsure about anything I backed up and spent 
more time on the previous step and then tried again, splitting down the 
progress into tiny doable steps.

This was ten years ago now, but I'm remembering it took a few months, like 4 
to 6 probably.  Also she was a rescue and I believe had previously had 
negative experiences around relieving.  I doubt a dog raised from an early 
age to be a guide would have these issues.  You could probably get through 
all these steps in a matter of weeks.

HTH
Julie