Potty Training - How to teach your dog to go to the bathroom outside

The first (and too many times also the last) training objective that most of us have with a new dog is to teach him to go to the bathroom outside.

Like any other training goal this can be achieved with the right timing, consistency and by using the right motivation.

Consistency will be your most important tool in this process. If a dog never has a chance to “go” in the house and will always get rewarded for going outside, he will have no problem acquiring this behavior.

The first step in house breaking is to get a crate that is just slightly bigger than your dog. Leave the dog in the crate whenever you cannot watch him. Make sure to take the dog for walks every couple of hours when you're home so he will have a lot of opportunities to go to the bathroom outside and you will have a lot of opportunities to reward him for this behavior.

The second step will be to mark and reward the times that your dog went to the bathroom outside. Timing is crucial when training a dog. When taking your dog out for the bathroom, make sure to take him every time to the same spot. When your dog pees or poops outside it will be a great time to tell him that he is doing great and to give him a reward. Marking the behavior is very important. Do not assume that your dog “knows” what is expected from him to do.

Also, make sure that every time that your dog “goes” outside, you mark it as a good behavior, even if it is just during your morning walks or when you play with him in the front yard. Your dog will learn, by repetition, that this is what you want him to do.

If your dog did not use his chance during this walk, go back inside after 5 minutes and put him in his crate. Give him half an hour and then you can repeat the sequence.

The dog can be free around the house only when:

A.   You are positive that he is "empty".

B.    He is supervised and has a leash on.

When you see your dog going to the bathroom in the house say NO and keep on saying it until you get to the dog, then grab his leash and take him outside. You need to be really loud and assertive, so much so that you will surprise the dog and he will stop his business. If needed, you can make a noise that will startle your dog.

At night:

1.     Do leave water for your dog in his crate. Dogs who don't have constant access to water might drink more than they need when they get the chance.

2.     If your dog is really young (8 to 12 weeks) make sure to wake him at least once in the middle of the night, take him out and wait for him to go.

Cleaning:

Dogs have very sensitive noses. The scent will linger in the spot they went on even if we can't smell it. There are many products at the pet-stores that are designed to break up these scents. Make sure to get one of these and use it when cleaning up after your dog. Make sure your dog does not see you cleaning his mess. Put him away while doing that. Dogs are very interested in anything that we do. Watching his owner cleaning after him may induce a dog to show more interest in it than we would like him to.

Teaching the dog to go to the bathroom on command:

Teaching your dog to go to the bathroom on command is easier than you might think. It will help you a great deal in the process of house training him, and will save you a lot of time in the future. Simply say a command repeatedly when your dog starts “going” and reward him when he is done. Be consistent with the command as with the reward and praise, and soon enough your dog that goes to the bathroom on command.