Set a Schedule

Setting a scheduled routine, and strictly adhering to it; is very important for potty training success!  Not only helps set your pups’ ‘biological clock’, but getting a routine going also helps the organization. On top of this, setting a schedule will prevent your pup from eventually thinking you will take them outside 15 times a day (whenever they feel like it, not necessarily when they need to go).

• Generally, a puppy can control their bladder for about one hour per month of age (of course this has limitations).

You also want to set a regular feeding schedule and remove your pups’ water/food between feedings. Providing continued access to meals defeats the purpose of a schedule.

Most dog food containers will offer recommendations, and if they don’t- simply ask your vet (a phone call will do)!

Reward Desired Behavior

This is important. Reward desired behavior; offer a treat when your pup eliminates outside as opposed to on the couch cushions (for example). On the flip side, don’t reward any accidents.

Eventually, your pup is going to catch on- “If I go outside, I get that food and praise I want, but I’ll get nothing and my owner will not be pleased if I go inside.” Of course, they won’t be thinking those exact words, but this is the general gist.

Your pet is going to want to take advantage of every opportunity to go outside eventually, which is why you need to set a schedule. If you neglect the schedule, smart dogs will catch on quickly and try to be let out for the sole sake of the treat.

Be Consistent!

As with any form of dog training, you want to Condition a behavior with Consistent Repetition. Do the same exact thing every single time; if you reward with a treat once, reward every time. If you chastise (lightly) your dog for mistakes, chastise for every single mistake.

Getting into the habit of forgetting will only serve to confuse your pup. After all, you want them to begin to expect that reward; the reward should become a driving factor. If you continuously forget the reward, in their minds- what is it they are working for?

• Praise or give treats immediately after your dog eliminates; waiting could cause them to associate the reward with an altogether different behavior.

Dog Clicker

This is the sole purpose of the ‘dog clicker’- to bridge that gap (so to speak). It may take 5-6 seconds to grab a treat from your pocket, perhaps a second to speak praise, but not even half a second to push a button; there is absolutely no gap for alternate associations.

• Interesting to note- the ‘clicker’ began as a training tool for dolphins! It only took one genius dog trainer to say “Hey- this will work great with dogs!” How much money do you think she made off that ridiculously simple idea? Safe to say, a lot.

Supervision

Puppies are like human babies; they need constant supervision, simply for the sake of safety if not for training. You’re going to want to catch potential mistakes and run your pup outside so they can finish in the desired location; miss mistakes, and there goes much of your effort. Yes, it can get a little dirty at times, but the end result will be worth it.

Crate Training

There is a saying- ‘If you can’t train, contain.’ Crate training began for this very purpose; if you can’t supervise your puppy, if you are unable to catch mistakes, put your pup in a crate.

Crates can be a useful tool for training, but more importantly- they keep your pup safe while you are away.

• Don’t use your crate as a punishment. If training is done correctly, your pets’ crate will become their own little haven; they will freely enter and leave it on their own. To make this easier, you can feed your pup in their crate, line it with a soft and comfortable material, and leave toys they may enjoy in the crate.

Extended Absences

If you need to leave your dog alone for extended periods of time (work, for example), work them up to it. All of the sudden leaving for eight or so hours at a time can cause separation anxiety, if not potty accidents.

For example, start leaving them alone for twenty-thirty minutes, an hour, etc; slowly increase the time over a number of days or weeks (if at all possible).

• Don’t want to get a dog because you think leaving it alone for a workday is inhumane? Consider the countless shelter dogs out there that spend 80% of their lives in cages barely big enough to turn around in. A work day doesn’t seem so bad anymore, does it?