Training your dog to use the toilet is a crucial aspect of responsible pet care. Regardless of whether you are acquiring a puppy or an adult dog, it is essential to understand the proper methods of house training. This process not only imparts vital life skills to puppies but also serves as a significant opportunity for bonding between you and your furry companion.

Dogs reach their full bladder capacity at around 12 months of age.

If you are in the process of toilet training an adult dog that was not previously trained properly, the stages will remain unchanged, although it may require a longer duration.

To increase your chances of success, actively supervise your dog during toilet training and provide abundant opportunities for them to go in the appropriate place.

Remove the diapers from them at the following times: when they wake up, after each meal, after playtime, before bedtime, before you depart, and upon your return, as well as every 45 minutes thereafter.

Signs your dog needs to toilet

These comprise:

Fidgeting,
Sniffing around,
Beginning to circle before squatting.

How to Potty Train a Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide

By having a plan, being patient, and observing, you can ensure your puppy’s success in learning where to pee and poop in your house and developing a good understanding of boundaries.

Before you start: Adopt the right mindset

According to Tyler Muto, founder and instructor at Consider The Dog and K9 Connection Dog Training in Buffalo, New York, a helpful tip to guide your potty training journey with your puppy is to prevent them from going inside by not giving them the opportunity to do so.

The initial mindset for potty training involves recognizing that the main goal is not to punish the dog for going indoors, but rather to provide consistent opportunities for them to eliminate outside.

To achieve this, the actual training starts with owners of dogs. Potty training does not depend on the puppy being well-behaved, but rather on the owner’s ability to be consistent, manage time effectively, and reward the desired behavior.

Step 1: Get a crate

According to Muto and numerous other trainers, a crate is a vital tool for potty training. Restricting your puppy to their own area can greatly assist in potty training as well as overall training. With a crate, your puppy will understand the concept of holding it since dogs typically avoid soiling their living and sleeping space. Moreover, the crate provides a supervised space, preventing any unnoticed accidents in different corners of your house.

To ensure your dog sees the crate as their living space, there are two important factors.

Ensure that the crate is the right size. Crates should be large enough so that your dog can sit, lie down and turn around comfortably, but not too big so that they can make a section of the crate into a potty spot. A size-adjustable crate with a divider works well for small puppies who will quickly grow into larger puppies.
Have your puppy spend enough time in the crate that they view it as their home. Your dog should associate the crate with good things, and with being safe and content. So, it’s important to not treat going into the crate as punishment.

Extend the duration to 15 minutes (or possibly longer if you have determined that your dog can hold its bladder for a longer interval) inside the crate, then proceed outside and attempt the task once more.

According to Blake Rodriguez of Dream Come True K9 in New York, the overwhelming outside environment can cause a puppy’s mind to wander and make them forget they need to go to the bathroom, unless they really have to go urgently. However, when they enter a familiar environment, they suddenly remember their need to urinate. If given the freedom, they will locate a suitable spot to pee and then find another place to relax.

Step 2: Develop a potty training schedule

When it comes to potty training, consistency is crucial. Establishing a consistent daily routine will aid your dog in achieving physical proficiency in house training, as well as foster a sense of security and trust between the dog and its owner.

Start by creating a schedule that consists of steps designed to promote consistency.

Feeding occurs at a consistent time every day.

Taking breaks to use the toilet

The time spent in a crate or confinement area.

Time for play.

Time spent sleeping.

Ensure that all members of your family are conscious of the schedule and abide by it.

It is advised to avoid solely relying on memory when considering the schedule. Instead, it is recommended to make a printed copy and display it in a visible spot for everyone, such as the fridge, or send it to everyone’s electronic devices.

One possible rephrasing could be: To maintain the same meaning, consider keeping a journal to keep track of accidents and the time gap between potty breaks.

It takes about five months for young puppies to have full control over their bladder. If you have recently brought home a young puppy or started their training, begin by taking them outside approximately every 45 minutes while they are awake. It is important to closely observe your puppy and adjust the timing as they show improvement. As time goes on, the intervals between potty breaks can become longer. To determine the appropriate duration your puppy should be able to hold it as you make progress, you can follow the one-hour-per-month guideline. For example, a three-month-old puppy should ideally be able to hold it for three hours. However, it is essential to start slowly and gradually increase the time, rather than expecting them to automatically last three hours.

Step 3: Go potty!

Once you establish a schedule and crate, you lay a strong groundwork for successful potty training. Undoubtedly, an essential component of this schedule involves taking your dog outside for elimination.

When it comes to potty time, consider the following points:

When you first come home, take your puppy to a designated spot outside where they can relieve themselves. Aim to create an association between this area and the act of going to the bathroom.

To ensure your dog stays focused during potty time, it is recommended to begin with them on a leash. Puppies are easily distracted and may get sidetracked by rolling on the grass instead of completing their business. This advice applies to both owners with and without backyards. If dogs are allowed to freely go outside and relieve themselves, it becomes challenging to reward them immediately after they pee or poop, which makes it more difficult for them to understand that this behavior is desired. Additionally, this can result in a messy backyard.

In the course of a day: Allow them a duration of 10-15 minutes for sniffing and potentially relieving themselves. Limit enthusiasm and communication to ensure their concentration remains on the assigned task. If they do not relieve themselves, bring them back inside and confine them in their crate.

To establish a verbal cue, select a word or phrase that you will consistently use to communicate the behavior of encouraging your puppy to go potty, such as “go potty” or “do your business.” It is important to choose a phrase that is unlikely to be used in other situations. When your dog actually goes potty, introduce and associate that word or phrase with the desired action. The crucial factor here is the timing. Repeating the words continuously without their subsequent action will prevent the dog from understanding the meaning behind the word. Therefore, ensure that you say the word or phrase when your dog has just started going, or with practice, when they are on the verge of going (by observing their physical signals indicating they are preparing to urinate or defecate). Remember to only say the word or phrase once.

To encourage your dog to go outside, consider offering a desirable reward. This reward should be given right after they finish peeing or pooping, rather than continuously throughout the walk. It is crucial not to overlook the significance of rewarding your dog when they go outside. This can greatly impact their behavior. Shift towards praising your dog enthusiastically, such as saying “good girl, good potty,” as time goes on.

Step 4: Keep going potty! (that is, overcompensate)

It is important to stick to your schedule and avoid skipping trips. Although accidents may happen, it is crucial that going inside does not become a habit. Therefore, when uncertain, it is advisable to go above and beyond. Rodriguez emphasizes that it is our responsibility to make extra efforts to take them out more. If you are fortunate enough to establish a routine where your dog understands to go outside, you must be wise and manage your time effectively when bringing your dog back in. As long as we are fulfilling our duty of going the extra mile, taking the dog out, and being a proficient time manager, the dog has a motivation to hold it and learns the routine.

Step 5: Deal with accidents the right way

By staying on schedule and monitoring your dog, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of accidents. However, accidents can still occur. The way you respond to accidents also impacts the outcome. If you catch your puppy in the act of eliminating indoors, clap or firmly say “NO” without screaming (one knowledgeable individual recommends using “NOPE” as it is difficult to scream).

If you happen to discover a dirty area inside the house later on, simply pick it up without making a big deal out of it. It is not advisable to get angry or punish your puppy as this may only scare them, and they will not understand why you are upset (do not rub your dog’s nose in the feces). Use these incidents as chances to learn. Did your dog wait for an hour after a walk to pee? Remember to take them outside after around 50 minutes next time.

If you want to prevent animals from returning to the same spot, it is important to thoroughly clean the soiled area with a non-toxic enzymatic cleaner that effectively eliminates the smell. Failing to do so may encourage them to come back and repeat the behavior.

If you suspect that your dog may poop or pee indoors due to fear or trauma, it is important to note that finding a dog trainer or behaviorist to assist with these issues would be a beneficial course of action.

Training puppies to use puppy pads and paper.

Despite the convenience or the belief that puppies cannot go outside until they have completed their shots, some dog owners opt for wee-wee pads or paper. However, we, along with numerous trainers, advise against employing this approach.

To put it simply, pee pads serve as a means to train your dog to relieve themselves indoors. Numerous dog owners initially introduce these pads as an initial stage in potty training, with the ultimate goal of training their dogs to eliminate outside.

What to do if there’s an accident

Never punish your dog if you find an accident after the event or as it’s happening. Your dog may become scared and confused as they won’t associate the punishment with the accident.
Simply clean the area using a warm solution of biological washing powder and rinse with water. This should remove the smell and reduce the chance of your dog using this area again.
There are different reasons for toileting indoors, e.g. health or lack of training so if you’re concerned, always seek advice from your vet.

By consistently taking your dog outside and offering abundant praise when they relieve themselves, they will eventually develop a habit of requesting to go outside for toileting.

My dog is toilet trained but wees and poos when left alone

If your dog is having trouble handling being alone, they may urinate or defecate indoors when they are not with you.

We have compiled some tips to assist you in understanding your dog’s emotions when they are left alone and to address this commonly observed separation-related behavior.