Much to the chagrin of your hardwood floors, puppies and newly adopted dogs don’t typically arrive fully toilet trained. They need a caring and patient Dog Owner like yourself to show them the ropes!
The good news is, toilet training is a fairly straightforward and simple process that can be done in a matter of a few weeks. The bad news is, simple doesn’t always mean easy! But, by the end of the process, you and your pooch will be able to enjoy a predictable potty routine and a mess-free home.
Here are all the toilet training tips you need to make this process as fast as possible.
Stock up on supplies
Unfortunately, we can’t tell our dogs where they should do their business (think of all the time and effort that would save!) But, there are a few supplies that we can use to communicate what we want from our puppers:
- Tasty treats. You might not immediately associate toilet time with treats, but you’re going to want some kind of reward system as you start potty training. Or, if your dog is already familiar with clicker training, make sure to have your clicker with you for every toilet break! That’s because the basics of toilet training include rewarding your dog every time they toilet in the right place. Eventually, they’ll learn to associate toileting outside with praise and treats!
- Puppy pads. Some Dog Owners opt to toilet train without puppy pads, but this tool can come in handy for very young puppies who can’t go outside until they’re fully vaccinated. Puppy pads can also be convenient for families who live in high rise buildings or doggos who aren’t able to control their bladder because of old age or a medical issue.
- Leash, play pen or crate. Management of your dog’s movements is going to be key in the early stages of toilet training. Limit your pup’s free range of the house by having them leashed or in an enclosed area so that they can’t sneak off for an out-of-sight toilet break.
- Enzymatic cleaner. As even the pros will tell you, accidents happen! But the danger is that lingering smells of doggy doo and pee can encourage your little one to continue toileting inside. A strong enzymatic cleaner is crucial to breaking bad habits before they start.
Know your dog’s limits
One big mistake that new Dog Owners make is overestimating their pup’s ability to hold it! Puppies under six months old, for instance, don’t have the bladder control of an adult dog. Likewise, dogs in their golden years may struggle to hold it for as long as they could when they were younger.
There may be other factors, such as anxiety or a medical condition, that will need to be addressed before you can hope to have success with toilet training. So, in addition to considering your dog’s age, it’s also a good idea to consider whether these other reasons might be impeding your potty training progress.
Plan on frequent toilet breaks
The fastest way to toilet train your doggo is to reward them every time they toilet in the right place. But, because your dog hasn’t yet learned how to hold it, that means you have to give them plenty of opportunities throughout the day to toilet outside. Here are some key moments when your dog may need to go:
- After waking up from a nap
- Within a half hour after every meal or water break
- Any time they leave their crate or play pen area
- After some boisterous playtime
- About every hour to two hours throughout the day, otherwise
Okay, woof. That’s a lot of toilet breaks. And yes, it will feel like you’re overdoing it at first. But, it’s better to take your dog out a few extra times than to wait too long and miss your opportunity!
Supervise at all times
In addition to having a toilet break schedule, you’ll also want to keep an eye on your pup for signs that they may need to go between outings. Over time, you’ll start to notice your unique dog’s signals, but in general, they include sniffing around in a certain area and spinning around in circles. Basically, if your pup looks like they’re suddenly on a mission, it’s time to spring into action and get them outside!
That being said, you might not be able to supervise your doggo 24 hours a day. That’s where your trusty leash or crate will come in. Having your dog leashed to you during toilet training, for instance, will allow you to keep a close eye on your pup while you’re doing other things.
Crates are popular toilet training tools because dogs naturally tend to avoid toileting in the area where they sleep. If you do rely on this toilet training method, make sure that your dog has already gone through some crate training basics and that you don’t leave them in the crate longer than they can hold their bladder. You’ll also want to be sure that their crate is just snug enough that they don’t have extra space to designate as a toilet area.
Interrupt (but don’t punish!) accidents
During toilet training, accidents are inevitable! And, when interrupted the right way, they can actually be a valuable training tool.
Let’s say, for example, that you notice right at the last moment that your pup is about to toilet in the house. Now is the time to jump into action! Swoop your pup up with an “uh oh” or “not in the house” and get them outside as soon as possible. The idea here is not to startle or punish your dog, but rather to distract them long enough to get them outside. When they’ve finished up their business in their outdoor potty spot, make sure to give them plenty of praise.
Now, if you arrive on the scene after the accident, your only job will be to clean up the mess and stick with the plan. That’s because the learning opportunity has passed. Punishing your dog after the fact will only increase their anxiety about toilet training and delay the process.
Clean up messes as quickly as possible
You may notice that your pup tends to go in the same area of the house. And no, that’s not because they don’t like your area rug. Instead, dogs naturally seek out designated toilet areas and will consider the scent of past potties as a go-ahead to use this spot. That’s why it’s important to clean up messes as soon as possible to prevent the odours from settling into fabrics and other surfaces.
Remember to use an enzymatic cleaner to completely eliminate odours!
Replenish your patience
We get it. Although the steps behind toilet training a puppy are straightforward, these tips are easier said than done! You wouldn’t be the first loving Dog Owner to let out a few curse words or tears during the process, and even experienced Puppy Parents will tell you that toilet training can be overwhelming.
Here are a few things to remind yourself when toilet training gets tough:
- Every dog moves at their own pace. Even if you’ve toilet trained a dog before, you’ll quickly learn that every pup is different. Some get it after a couple of days. Others need weeks or even a few months to understand toilet training. This can be frustrating, especially if you feel that you’re dedicating so much time and effort into toilet training. But it’s also perfectly normal for some dogs to need extra time.
- Your dog really does want to do the right thing. Contrary to popular belief, our doggos don’t toilet inside out of spite. Anxiety, bladder control issues, and a simple misunderstanding of the rules of the house are the true reasons why your pup is still going potty inside. So, try not to take it personally! They really are trying their best.
- You don’t have to go it alone. As we mentioned, frequent toilet breaks and supervision are key to successful potty training. If you’re struggling to find the time, don’t hesitate to call in a dedicated Dog Walker to help!
- You are making progress. One of the hardest parts of toilet training is staying motivated when your pup just doesn’t seem to understand what you want from them. But, don’t give up! Every time you reward your pupper for toileting outside, you are making progress. Eventually, your doggo will make the connection and you’ll be able to live accident-free.
We’re rooting for you and your pup!
With these tried-and-true tips, the right supplies, and maybe the help of a friendly Dog Walker, you and your doggo are ready to tackle toilet training together. Good luck and stay patient! Your pupper will learn in no time.
