Any dog of normal intelligence can be trained to urinate and defecate in a specified area, but it requires that the owner have the patience and willingness to train the dog.
Select the area where you want the dog to "go". Put the dog on a leash and take it out for a walk, even if it's only a walk around your yard. When the dog starts to walk around with it's nose to the ground, it's a sign that he/she is looking for a place to go. In my experience, the dogs always seemed to be walking with their rear legs kind of stiff, too. At any rate, observe your dog closely to learn what signs you must watch for.
When the dog starts to exhibit those signs, walk it over to the area that you want it to use as a potty area. Keep the dog there and keep it on the leash, allowing it to walk around the area until it goes. Then praise it like crazy. You can even give it a treat if you like.
I'm sure my neighbors must have thought I was nuts the way I made such a big deal of my dog going potty, but I didn't care about that. I bad to have my dog literally "go potty on command" because I took it with me when I traveled, and I did
not have all day to wander around rest stops waiting for my dog to relieve itself.
Whatever you do, never scold the dog if it goes in the "wrong" place. Use praise and you will have success. This means that, until the dog is completely trained, you must stay with the dog until it "goes". You can't just open the door and let it outside. Another important point thing, though, is that you must keep the dog's bathroom area clean. Scoop up any feces every day.
