by Angela Casey DVM

posted 9/4/2022

One of the reasons that attempts to house train fail is because pet guardians tend to project human attitudes onto them. We get upset because we wouldn’t urinate on the floor instead of using the bathroom. We were not born knowing how to use the bathroom, we were taught.

It is natural for a dog to relieve himself when the urge presents. As guardians, we must show our puppy where we want them to go potty, give them dozens of opportunities daily to be successful and reward them when it happens. This can be achieved in an adult dog too, but it’s much easier to get it done when they are puppies.

The Golden Rules

• Be 100% Consistent
• Behavior that is rewarded will be repeated
• Be Patient

The 5 Tips

#1. Most puppies are ready to learn potty rules by 8 weeks.

Puppies younger than 8 weeks don’t yet have the neurological development to “hold it.”

#2. Feed On A Schedule

Feed your puppy 2-3 times daily depending on his breed and age. I never recommend free choice feeding.

If you leave food available at all times for your un-trained dog, he’ll nibble all day, poop all day, and it will be impossible for you to have any kind of schedule.

Feeding your dog on a schedule makes elimination more predictable and allows you to exercise more control over the situation. The more opportunities you give your puppy to succeed by eliminating outside, the faster he’ll be house trained. Predictability is a key element in avoiding mistakes.

#3. Reward The Desired Behavior

• In order to successfully potty train your dog it’s crucial that you reward her for good behavior.
• It’s important to praise him in ways a canine understands. He can pick up cues from the tone of your voice, for example saying things like “Good Boy, or Good going potty.” Gently stroke his back; dogs hate to be patted on the head. Be consistent and simple with words. Your puppy will learn what “potty” means if you use it every time.
• Almost all dogs speak the language of food, so treats are also a good reward during the housetraining process.
• When your dog eliminates in the right spot outside, praise her with words and give her a treat within three seconds of the behavior. Remember that consistency is crucial, so make sure you have treats with you to reward her within three seconds every time she goes in the right spot.
• After a short time, she’ll recognize that she makes you happy when she eliminates outdoors, and in return she receives a reward. You want to reinforce that good behavior every time it happens, and there’s no better reward in the beginning than those food treats.
• Once your dog is fully housetrained, you can cut back and eventually stop the food treats using only verbal praise for his good behavior.

#4. Don’t Leave An Un-Trained Dog Unattended

• Key Point: Crate training is a valuable tool because it allows us to take advantage of a dog’s natural preferences. Avoid looking at crate training through a human’s eyes; your puppy is not in jail. You’re providing a safe, structured space that prevents mistakes on carpet and other indoor surfaces. You don’t want your puppy to accidentally develop a texture preference for carpet over grass or dirt.
• Dogs are naturally den dwellers. Under normal circumstances, they and will seek out small, safe, warm “cubbies” in which to rest. If you provide him with his own safe, bedroom (crate) and he doesn’t associate it with you being angry or forceful, he’ll want to spend time there.
• If you leave your puppy unattended for 5 minutes, even if he’s under the desk you are working at, you will find a puddle of urine. Each time your puppy eliminates in the house, outside of the crate, he is learning that it’s OK to potty wherever I am.

#5. No Yelling or Punishments

• This can be the most difficult principle to follow, but it’s crucial.

Punishment teaches your puppy to be scared of you.

We don’t potty train our children by rubbing their nose in poop.

It doesn’t work for dogs either. That goes for yelling too.

• Yes, it’s frustrating when your puppy makes a mess in the house, but it is largely up to you to control the opportunities for mistakes.
• From your dog’s perspective, you’re the center of the universe – the object of his unconditional love and pack leader. Except once in awhile, unpredictably, you turn into a scary, screaming lunatic.
• If they learn to associate eliminating with making you angry, they will get sneaky and hide it.
• You cannot punish or frighten a dog into appropriate behavior.
• By the time your dog is peeing on your floor, the opportunity for a successful potty adventure outside has passed. Stay calm and figure out what you could do differently to change the outcome next time. Puppies aren’t capable of potty training themselves. The more diligent and consistent you are from the beginning, the faster you will succeed.