Potty training is actually pretty easy, but it does require consistency and a fair amount of structure.
If you haven’t seen your local veterinarian, schedule an appointment right away to rule out any medical problems such as a bladder infection or urinary tract infection (UTI).
Using a crate is essential when trying to control accidents in the home. Read up on how and when to use the crate. Then read the four essentials on how to actually potty train your dog. If structure and consistency are spot on, your dog should be accident free in 2-4 weeks.
Crate Training
Crate training is a very important part of potty training.
- Use the crate every second that your eyes can’t physically be on your dog. It’s safer and it aids in potty training. They may be in the crate 90% of the day and that is okay!
- If you go outside with your dog and they don’t potty, place them back in their crate and take them out 15 minutes and try again. Repeat as necessary.
- The crate should be just big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around and lay down (if you give them more room, they have space to pee/poop in the crate and then lay somewhere else)
- If they are having accidents in the crate, avoid blankets and soft toys in the crate. Blankets/Beds absorb urine so they may be more likely to pee in the crate. They are also unsafe (they can chew them and swallow pieces). If they are chewing things or being destructive in the crate, it will teach them that that is acceptable behavior (since there is no correction).
- Make going in and out of the crate matter-of-fact. Don’t talk to your dog when you’re coming or going. Just get them in and then out without emotion. This can eliminate happy or submissive pee.
- ALWAYS use your crate for MANAGEMENT, but NEVER use the crate for PUNISHMENT. DON’T throw them in the crate, yell at them or slam the door. These behaviors can cause fear of their crate AND of you.
- Don’t only use your crate when you’re leaving (this cause have a negative association with the crate. They may start learning the crate means you’re leaving and this can cause separation anxiety to form).
- Do not leave water in the crate or allow all-day access to water.
- Do not use potty pads in the crate (it trains your dog that the proper place to go to the bathroom is in the crate).
Stay calm and patient with all interactions with the crate.
Potty Training
Watch this Potty Training Video!
There are four elements to successfully potty train your dog. If you are extremely consistent with these steps, you’ll have a potty-trained dog in 2-4 weeks.
- Crate Training & Supervision
- Regular Schedule
- Feedback & Discipline
- Clean-Up
1. Crate Training & Supervision
- Use the crate every second that your eyes can’t physically be on your dog. It only takes 3 seconds for a dog to have an accident (and that to your dog is reward)
- The importance of close supervision is so that you can catch your dog JUST BEFORE they are about to have an accident or as they begin to make a mistake in the house so that you can quickly move them outside
- If you catch your dog going to the bathroom, use a loud clap, shaker can or squirt to startle them and take them BY LEASH outside. Do not pick them up when they start pottying inside because your physical touch conveys praise for your dog.
- Watch for sniffing or circling (take the leash and say “let’s go” so you can encourage them to move outside – avoiding correction)
- Once they potty outside, give positive feedback! Praise them JUST as they are finishing their potty. The reward should be your praise — not a treat! Some dogs are way stimulated by treats so they may go a little bit (or even pretend) so that they get the treat. You run the risk of the dog finishing inside.
- Always have your dog on leash! Even if you have a fenced-in yard. Ideally you will stand in the same place for the dog to potty. By moving around, you give your dog new smells to explore, taking away from the goal of going to the bathroom. You also want to avoid the “chase” game. Most young puppies won’t try to leave your side (but not all). As they get older, they gain more confidence and may start trying to bolt away from you. You want to be in control.
2. Regular Schedule
- Take your dog out first thing in the morning and allow them to pee/poop before you go back inside
- Give a command “Go Potty”. Reward with “Good Potty” when they go
- If you can’t supervise them back indoors (or if they didn’t go potty outside), guide them back into their crate and take them out again in 15-20 minutes.
- After feeding, they should go back into their crate for 5-30 minutes and then they need to go back outside
- DO NOT LEAVE FOOD AND WATER OUT! What goes in must come out so you need to control food and water intake (for now – until they are potty trained). This also means no water in the crate all day.
- If your dog is in the crate while you’re at work during the day, be sure to not give them food or water for 2-3 hours prior to being in the crate so that you have plenty of opportunity to empty their bladder
- Consider Potty Breaks from friend or neighbor
- When you get home, take them out to potty and potty multiple times throughout the night (and remember to monitor food and water). Supervise. Use the crate if your eyes can’t be on your dog!
- Remove all food and water 3 hours prior to going to bed so they have plenty of opportunity to empty their bladder
- Do not use a bell or a cue for the dog to tell us when they have to go. The goal is that they hold it until we tell them to go. This will help you in the future. You want the dog to learn to go on your schedule, regardless if it’s routine or not. They are expected to hold it until you give them the chance to go.
- Going outside should only be for potty purposes — FOR NOW (until they are potty trained). Do not go outside to play fetch or have fun in the yard. We can introduce play once they are fully potty trained. We want the dog to understand that outside means potty time.
- Avoid potty pads. Thy train your dog to relieve themselves inside the home on soft things – it may translate to clothing, rugs, blankets, etc.
3. Feedback & Discipline
- The importance of supervision is that you catch your puppy just before an accident or in the act so that you can correct them. If you find a mess, it is too late to discipline. This is your fault for not supervising (so do not punish your dog)
- Give praise when your puppy does go outside “Yay! Good potty!”
- Take your dog out on leash so you control where they are (and prevent the game of “chase”)
- Potty time is not play time. After they potty bring them back inside. Do not stay to play in the yard (playing in the yard comes after potty training has been successful)
4. Clean up
- You want to use a good cleaning solution that not only covers up smell for you, but also for your dog! Their smell is a thousand times stronger than ours so typical carpet cleaner will not do the trick. We recommend the following brands for cleaning up all messes: Eliminator, Nature’s Miracle, Simple Solutions
Remember, if your dog has an accident in the house, it is your fault for not supervising. Follow the rules listed above in order to avoid accidents.
AN EXAMPLE OF A DAILY SCHEDULE:
- Wake up at 6am, potty dog. Feed them & give water. Put them into crate while you drink your coffee and read the paper.
- 6:15am – potty them again and spend supervised time with them (no more water).
- Place them in crate while you get ready for work (because you can’t supervise them).
- Potty them before you leave for work (no more water).
- Crate them while you’re at work.
- 5:30pm – you get home from work. Potty them right away.
- Feed them and give them water.
- Put them in the crate while you get into your “after work” clothes and read the mail.
- Potty them again, offer water and spend supervised time with them. Potty them again.
- Crate them while you prepare dinner and eat.
- Potty them again, offer water and spend supervised time with them. Potty them again.
- Crate them while you get the kids ready for bed and prepare for tomorrow.
- Before you go to bed, potty them again and spend supervised time with them (no water).
- While you sleep, they are sleeping in their crate.