Puppy only toilets in one place, is this normal?

[Mutley]

Archie is 4 months old and doing really well with the toilet training as in we are having fewer and fewer accidents indoors.

He loves going out for walks, puppy training classes, and all the rest of it obviously. However he will never ever do ANYTHING except on our patio. I take him out there before and after going out for a walk or whatever and he performs there, but never ever while we are out (despite me using the cue words and so on).

As far as I'm concerned this is fine, it saves me having to pick up his poop in public etc. However, is this ok for him? Should he be holding on to it like this?

If it's ok to do this, is it feasible to train him to poo etc. only on our patio? Or should I aim to get him to do it in a public place? If I take him out for the whole day at any point in the future, he won't be able to hold on for a whole day will he, and will end up doing it somewhere totally inappropriate. I'm confused!!  Does anyone have any advice please?

[Welsh cocker]

Good question... I have the same problem with 15 week old Wilma.
Will only toilet on my lawn, and will wait until we come home from a walk to go.
I'm curious to everyone's thoughts on this

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

He'll grow out of it. Before Charlie even had a wee in public, he was about 7 months old.

[annie1]

Our four month old, Talulah, is the same. Anywhere in the garden but will not out when out on a walk, when we get home she's straight out into the garden to do what she needs.

[JamiesGirl]

For a dog to toilet out and about is a very big step for them. they may aswell make a massive sign saying to other dogs 'hello I'm here I'm in your territory come and get me'. Dogs that are naturally submissive to other dogs won't want to wee where another dog has for example. Its common for young dogs to only toilet in 'their' area/territory where its safe and won't be smelt by other dogs as they get older they will toilet out on walks etc. but this can happen later on when they are more mature and have their hormones.

[Redked]

Bonnie was the same and i just put it down to the training process. I suppose its quite logical but I know nothing about dog psychology, just my thoughts; they get heaps of praise and treats when they pee n poo in a certain place but get no reaction if they pee somewhere else (the house). They don't know they will get praised and treated when out and about because they've spent the first few weeks doing it and being rewarded in the same spot. If it were me, I'd wait for the treat too 

[Mutley]

That all makes sense, thank you everyone.
Archie is actually quite a submissive dog as well.

My next question - would it be feasible to train him to carry on like this to a certain extent? In other words to do it mainly at home, but also out and about when absolutely necessary?

[PennyB]

to be honest I don't see the problem - guide dogs are trained to do their business at home and not when out for obvious reasons - if a dog is fine not pooing when out then its fine (I have a friend who's dog doesn't go when out walking whereas mine its a marathon event with 5 of them)

he may begin pooing when out as time goes on

[Emilyoliver]

That all makes sense, thank you everyone.
Archie is actually quite a submissive dog as well.

My next question - would it be feasible to train him to carry on like this to a certain extent? In other words to do it mainly at home, but also out and about when absolutely necessary?

I'd personally be encouraging him to go elsewhere as there will be times when you are out for the whole day somewhere, or on holiday or whatever.  Mine are the opposite - 2 of the 3 won't go in the garden unless they have to.  Much  more convenient for me as I go out often for a day hiking/ training/ agility or to visit friends, and I know then that they won't be in any discomfort waiting to get back home.