Dog outside for housetraining?

QUESTION:

Can I leave my dog in the yard until he's housetrained?

answered by Ian Dunbar

ANSWER:

If the dog is left outside by himself, he'll learn to pee or poop wherever and whenever he wants, and will likely do the same when you let him indoors. What's more, dogs who are kept in an outdoor pen are forced to eliminate in their sleeping and living area, which makes housetraining much harder.

Dogs who are left alone outdoors for long periods of time also tend to become indiscriminate barkers, chewers, diggers, and escapists. They get so excited on the few occasions they're invited indoors that eventually they're no longer allowed inside at all.