Potty Training 101

Potty training is a lot of work, but the end result is worth the effort! It requires diligence and structure every. single. day. Dogs instinctually do not want to mess in their resting areas (crates, bed, etc). Typical times when dogs will try to relieve themselves include: after a meal or drink, after they have rested / slept, and after they’ve had exercise. The best ways to address potty training issues is structure, containment, rewarding, and troubleshooting any possible medical issues. Patience, consistency, and time are key! And remember: freedom is not a privilege, the dog must EARN it!

What we’ll cover to establish a potty training foundation:

Establish a consistent routine by taking them out after each of these key times, They must see we are reliable to take them out often, even if it needs to be on the hour. At first they may not go each time, but they will start to understand you are giving them that opportunity to relieve themselves. Once the concept is understood, they’ll learn to hold it. Watch for your dog’s potty signals (pacing, sniffing, walking toward door, restlessness).

Keep the dog leashed outside for potty breaks. This prevents the dog from distractions or wondering off to reward itself with its curiosity or playfulness. Be on a mission: we’re out here to potty and nothing else. When the dog is leashed outside for a potty break, there is no playtime, no exercise, and no praise until the dog relieves itself; ignore the dog, especially if it tries to start playing with you. Keep other dogs from distracting the potty-training dog.

Tethering indoors. Keeping the dog leashed inside is another means of managing the dog. Tether the dog with a leash to your body and go about your daily routine. The dog won‘t be able to run off and finding a potty spot inside. You are able to keep a close eye on your dog’s signals.

Keep the dog crated when inside the house. Again, dogs do not like to mess in their resting areas. Containment such as a crate helps to train the dog to “hold it.” The crate should NOT be so large that the dog has an opportunity to have a “dirty side” and a clean side; rather the crate should be just large enough for the dog to lay down and turn around comfortably. Roomy crates mean more opportunity to potty in the crate. There are many more benefits to a crate such as establishing a resting time for dogs to decompress, managing several dogs’ needs at once, and creating a safe spot to house them when unattended (read more about crate training in my other blot post). It is also of utmost benefit when considering boarding the dog or vet visits where crating or confinement is necessary. A dog who has never seen a crate before will not ease into a situation like this easily. Help the dog acclimate to different life scenarios and be confident and content when confined.

Give the dog a consistent verbal queue before going outside to potty. Something like “let’s go potty!” allows the dog to predict what comes next once you say that phrase. When outside, do not talk to the dog other than reinforcing “go potty!” If the dog does NOT go potty, the dog is lead back inside to be tethered or crated until the next attempt. If the dog DOES go potty outside, turn it into a party! Verbally praise the dog, play with the dog, give it treat rewards. Using the marker word “YES!” the moment a correct action is performed FOLLOWED BY some sort of reward event. This will encourage the dog to work for that reward by doing what is right. This is called positive reinforcement. Read more about marker training in the “Shaping Behaviors” blog post.

Sometimes what looks like a behavioral issue might actually be a medical issue. Dogs with a UTI (urinary track infection), a senior dog, or an injured dog with achy joints or muscles might not be able to hold their movements, not by any fault of their own. Rule out any issues the dog may be experiencing with your vet when troubleshooting potty training issues.