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Dear Cathy,

I recently adopted a five-month-old Pomeranian. He’s fully trained to use a wee-wee pad, making him the perfect apartment dog. However, I can’t get him to go outside for a walk or play.

I’ve tried different approaches and rewards, but he refuses. When I pick him up, he trembles uncontrollably and digs his nails into me. He loves sitting on our terrace and watching people, but the moment I try to take him outside, he panics. There’s also a staircase before reaching the outdoors. Could that be a trigger? I’ve tried different times of the day, but nothing seems to help. Any advice?

— Kelly, Plainview, New York

Dear Kelly,

Anytime a dog is trembling and frightened, there is usually a past experience that has shaped that fear. While we may never know exactly what happened, it’s possible that he may have had a bad experience with stairs before, or the openness of the outdoors may feel overwhelming to him. Small dogs can also feel vulnerable in large, unfamiliar spaces, especially if they’ve primarily been indoor dogs.

One approach is gradual desensitization. If the stairs are the issue, try sitting with him at the top while offering treats and praise, helping him associate the area with positive experiences. If he resists going down, carry him partway and place him on the last step, rewarding him for stepping down.

In addition, calming aids can be helpful. Dog pheromone collars or plug-in diffusers mimic natural calming scents that mother dogs produce for their puppies, helping to ease anxiety. You might also try a calming wrap or snug-fitting harness to provide a sense of security. I would put it on her prior to taking her outside. Always give her treats so she gets used to wearing it. You could also introduce some basic obedience training as the trust it builds between the two of you always has positive effects on a dog’s overall confidence.

Most importantly, stay calm and patient. If he resists, don’t force him — turn it into a slow game with rewards, building trust one step at a time. If his trembling continues to be severe, a vet visit might be a good idea to rule out any pain or vision issues that could make stairs or outdoor stimuli overwhelming for him.

As he gains more confidence in his surroundings, he should begin to settle down.

Dear Cathy,

I have a six-year-old chihuahua. He's very intelligent about many things, but he's never learned to ask to go out. Can I train him to do that?

— Cathy, Robertsdale, Alabama

Dear Cathy,

Yes, you can absolutely train your chihuahua to ask to go out! One of the best ways is to teach him to use a signal, like ringing a bell or scratching a mat, to indicate he needs to go outside. Hang a bell near the door or place a mat at his nose or paw level. Before each potty break, guide him to touch the bell or mat with his paw, then take him outside. If hearing him is not important, you can also just teach him to sit before you open the door, so when he needs to go out he will learn to sit by the door and wait for you to open it.

If you are consistent, he will associate these things with going outside. Praise and reward him each time he uses the signal correctly to reinforce the behavior. Use a reward word, like "Bingo" when he does. This word marks the behavior, letting him know he’s done the right thing. Follow it up with a treat to reinforce the desired behavior.

Another approach is to train him to come to you or bark as a signal. Watch for signs like pacing, sniffing, or restlessness, which may indicate that he needs to go out. When you notice these behaviors, encourage him to approach you or use a specific phrase, such as “Go outside?” while walking him to the door. Over time, he’ll associate these signs with potty breaks.

In addition, you’ll want to approach this training as if you’re teaching a puppy. That means taking him outside at key times, like when he wakes up from a nap or sleep, after eating, and after playing. Once outside, use the phrase "go potty" the moment he starts to relieve himself. Then say his reward word, and praise or give a treat.

Remember, consistency and patience are key. It may take some time, but with positive reinforcement and encouragement, your dog can learn how to ask to go out.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)

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