How can I.....? - Page 1

I put my 8 months old Male & 5 months old female during the day in a large yard together where they can run, play & stretch their muscles, leaving the door of a shaded area opened for them to hide from the day heat  when they get tired from playing etc...

The problem is that they both make their mess everywhere on the yard.

Is there any recommendations whatsoever to teach them or encourage them to make their mess at one corner / area only?

Thanks for your help 

If they go on a schedule (and most do, you just have to pay attention), time it so they are inside or otherwise under your control beforehand.  Then, take them on a lead to the spot you want to use and give a command, then wait until they go and praise.  If they don't go, take them back inside and try a bit later.  Continue this until they go and treat/praise.  They catch on eventually.  It takes time but if you do this while they're young, it's easier.  You can't just let them run loose and expect them to know.  My boy, on his own, always goes as far from the house as possible, always has.  I was just lucky, I guess.

I have heard of a special type of sand that attracts the dogs to mess on, Is this right?

Place some of their scat in the place you desire and clean up everything else.
This may help for a while, until they get older.

My male does too GSDtravels.  In fact all my males have gone as far from the house as possible to do the dirty.  My female however, has no such manners and will crap anywhere.  Not sure if it is a gender thing?

OK Moons (my Moalem) I ll try your advise & let you know in due course.

Red Sable- You are right it is a gender thing. My 3 years male whom I put in a different yard since he was one year old,  also does his mess on the designated place.

GSDtravels-He IS an exception. Give him a nice reward on my behalf.

I have always got my dogs to go in one spot but it starts when they are 8 weeks old. If they have had months of free will it will be very hard to change but as mentioned the only way is through repetition like anything else with dogs and a lot of praise even treats. Putting up a fenced in spot and calling it there potty spot while rewarding when they use it can give them a better idea of whereto go because it is marked off. When I say fence I only mean string or anything you have to close off a certain area where you would like them to go.  I watch my dogs pretty close and if I see them getting ready to go potty somewhere else I just say hey thats not your potty spot and say backyard and off she goes. Cleaning up all the other poop is a good idea also putting some other poop in the spot you want them to go in but if they are all alone all day they have to go somewhere.

I totally don't agree with leaving a 8-9 month old dog having the roam of the house thats a little to young as I was burned by that already. When I mentioned to my breeder that my girl ate through the sofa @ 10 months old she said just because she is the same size as the dog you lost leaving her alone in the house is like leaving a 5 year old in the house alone and sooner or later your house could be burned down.  Whos fault will it be?