Does your dog go poop or pee in your house? Do you need help potty training your dog?
Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon problem facing dog owners. It can be very frustrating! However, this can be resolved in due time. Here are some tips on this issue.
Let’s first talk about why your dog is going potty in your home. The number one reason dogs urinate in the house is improper potty-training. This is especially common during and after puppyhood. Without potty-training, the puppy will continually go in the house. One popular problem encouraging this behavior is the popular use of pee pads. While they are convenient, they are teaching the opposite of what we want. Another reason may be that they are marking their territory. This, however, cannot be allowed. Of course, it could also be that your dog is ill and needs a check-up with the vet. So if you have an adult dog that is having this issue, please seek make sure there is nothing systemically wrong.
Potty-Training 101 – Stop Being an Enabler but Develop a Potty Routine
In order to get rid of the messes in your house, we have to make sure the dog understands that there is a potty routine, a schedule. Many may feel that this is inconvenient. But, wouldn’t you rather have a schedule without having to constantly clean messes in your home? And, we haven’t even mentioned that the house is reeking of urine! So, in order to develop a schedule, we may need to get rid of some bad habits enabling your dog’s accidents. One common bad habit is the use of doggy doors. They allow dogs to make their own schedule, to go as they please. However, developing a schedule means we have to control when the dog goes to the bathroom. So, it’s time to block that doggy door.
Another bad habit enabling your dog is freedom in the house to make the choice if they so choose to go. To eliminate that freedom, teach the dog the “place command” and begin to use the crate for times when you cannot supervise your dog. By eliminating the freedom, you eliminate the choice to go pee in the house. During this training process, there is little to no free-roaming. And, if there is, supervision is a must. By creating more structure, rules, and boundaries, we can overcome this issue.
How to Develop the Schedule
Most dogs typically go to the bathroom every 4 to 6 hours. While this is the rule of thumb that I encourage owners to live by, your dog can probably hold it for 8 to 10 hours. But, just because a dog can hold it for so long, it doesn’t mean it’s healthy to do so. Overnight of course is certainly the exception. Now as you begin this new potty-training, it’s a good idea to do it as often as possible starting with the minimum amount of time in between each potty-break. For puppies, you’re going to want to do it much more often, perhaps every 1 to 2 hours. As you progress in the potty-training, you can start progressing upwards in the amount of time in between each break. For most adult dogs, you will be taking your dog out 3 to 5 times a day; likely 5 times in the beginning working towards 3 at minimum. This would mean first thing in the morning, midday, early evening, and before bed. Keep in mind it’s a good idea to let your dog out after they eat their meal, especially for puppies.
When you take your dog out to potty, attach the leash and guide him to your preferred designated area. Wait until they do and begin to use the phrase “go potty.” Over time they will match the phrase “go potty” with the behavior of going pee. If your dog does not go potty, take them inside and put them back in their crate and then offer to take them out again 15 to 30 minutes later. Repeat the process, as needed, and they will eventually learn that this is their opportunity to go potty.
Potty-training takes time so this is not going to be resolved immediately. Your dog is already in the habit of going inside, and you are training them a new habit. Be patient and stick with the schedule. When your dog does have accidents in the house during this training, be sure to take the dog outside immediately afterwards letting them know that this is where they go. Keep in mind you do not need to talk to your dog explaining to them what they did wrong, why they should go outside and so forth. Remember, they are dogs living in a human world. Let the training and the routine speak for itself.
You can do it and gain your fresh clean home back!
If you need help in the process, need to troubleshoot, or need some guidance on crate training or the “place command” reach out to us and we’d be be happy to help!
You can find us at http://www.rooteddogtraining.com or use our free training resources through Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube