Struggling with potty training? Welcome to the weird, wonderful, and wacky world of early puppyhood development. Young puppies certainly don’t come into the world understanding that they need to toilet outside.
Much like human babies, dogs go through a series of developmental milestones that allow them to gain control over their bodily functions over time. Where they eventually deliver the goods depends largely on how you train them.
In the same way that no one potty training strategy is right for humans, some dogs also require a unique approach or more time. If you’re having trouble with standard training techniques, it may be time to get creative.
That’s where this short guide comes in.
Avert Accidents
The Goal: Redirect bad behavior immediately.
Potty training is time-consuming; there’s no question as to whether this little fact is true. Depending on the dog, it can take days or even months for him to catch on. For dogs that don’t seem to be getting it, part of the problem occasionally lies in the fact that owners aren’t consistent enough with redirection and positive reinforcement.
Here’s the caveat to potty training: if you don’t immediately redirect your dog, it’s already too late. Even just a minute after an accident happens is too long. You need to be ready to react to the squat or dribble the second it happens, redirecting him to either a pee pad or the front door quickly.
When you’re at home, you can increase the chances of noticing a pending accident by leashing your dog to your waist. Have him follow you around as you take care of chores, tend to the kids, or even handle a bit of work. The second you see that little furry butt go down, head for the door while encouraging him to follow you.
The first few times you may not make it. That’s okay; after the accident, continue outside or to the pads. You want him to associate the process of going to the washroom with going to the ideal location. Eventually, he’ll get the point.
Fix Submissive Urination
The Goal: Prevent your dog from urinating when visitors arrive.
Yet another common early pitfall of the training process is submissive urination. Trainers notice this more frequently in female dogs or those who are by their very nature lower in the pack, but all dogs can potentially develop this habit.
First, understand that submissive urination, by its very definition, isn’t really “wrong” from a dog’s standpoint. Sure, it’s not something you want your dog to do, but in the wild, submissive urination is simply a form of communication. When visitors arrive (particularly those a wild dog judges as dominant to him/her), submissive urination sends a clear message saying, “Hey, don’t worry…I’m not a threat.” It’s akin to rolling over and exposing your pup’s belly for a scratch.
But all of this having been said, there’s nothing more embarrassing than having a dog that lets loose the second someone comes in the door. So how do you fix this problem?
Start by asking visitors not to knock when they arrive. This only serves to hype up the problem. Instead, have them telephone you in advance and then walk in whenever possible. They should completely ignore the dog for at least the first 15 to 20 minutes upon arrival. If and when you want them to meet your pup, have them sit down and bring the dog to them. Submissive urination is often tied to anxiety, so you don’t want to push anything here; just be encouraging and patient.
A note on redirection: it doesn’t really work for submissive urination. This isn’t a problem of inappropriate peeing but of anxiety, so redirecting your dog to the pee pad isn’t going to help. Instead, work with him daily on general training and distress tolerance to raise his confidence levels.
Correct Weather-Related Hesitation
The Goal: Get your dog to pee or poop on command in less-than-sunny weather.
If you live in the north, you already know that encouraging the dog to go outside in a snowstorm can be…well, challenging. Getting them to actually go when the weather outside is frightful is even more of a problem for dog owners. They’ll hesitate, and that often leads to indoor accidents.
So, what’s the fix?
To begin, start by asking yourself if you might actually be asking too much of your dog. There’s a common misconception that all dogs love to be outside all of the time; in reality, they can get cold and uncomfortable just as quickly as we do.
Small, short-haired pups are especially susceptible to cold, wet weather, while long-haired, double-coated dogs may struggle with the heat. If it’s possible, it may be wise to put up a small covered area or awning under which your dog can use the bathroom in peace.
If you don’t have that option, it’s time for a little bit of a wily trick.
The next time your pup uses the washroom, watch him carefully. When you see the squat start, cheer your pup on. Yes, you’ll feel ridiculous. Yes, your pup may look at you like you have four or five heads. Make a fuss of him from a distance, and then choose a phrase you want your pup to associate with pottying (try “go pee” or “go potty”). Then, immediately offer your pup praise and a reward afterward.
Keep this up for a few weeks, and then try bringing your pup outside and repeating the phrase. If he goes, give him more treats. Eventually, the command will become so ingrained that it’s more compelling than the weather.
Address Sudden Messes
The Goal: Solve sudden regression.
In humans, a sudden change in bowel or bladder habits is always a concern. Likewise, if your perfectly trained pup is suddenly going all over the rug, you should be less concerned about training him back out of it, and more concerned about what might potentially be going on with him.
Urinary tract infections, kidney infections, and bladder stones are all really common in dogs (especially males), as is urinary crystals. All of these conditions can cause your dog to begin avoiding common bathroom areas because they begin to associate them with pain.
If you have an older dog, consider also whether he may be experiencing senility. Dogs, much like their human counterparts, can suffer from dementia-like symptoms that make them suddenly regress; there isn’t much you can do about this other than ensure that your dog has plenty of opportunities throughout the day. Acclimating your pup to an indoor faux grass pee pad might help, but there are no guarantees. Sometimes this is just part of loving a senior dog.
If you already know your pup has a condition that causes inappropriate peeing, never scold or punish him for it. Instead, encourage your pup to drink plenty of water. This may seem counter-intuitive, but being well-hydrated helps to keep the bladder relaxed and may dilute acidic urine. Keeping in contact with your vet is vital, too.
Halt Canine Plant Watering
The Goal: Convince your dog he makes a lousy gardener.
Noticing that your plants all seem to be dying off? Your dog could be the culprit. You may even catch him in the act. Urinating on plants is another instinctual behavior for your dog. In some ways, it’s the direct opposite of submissive urination; it’s quite literally your dog telling everyone else around him, “Hey! This is my territory, look out.”
Unfortunately, dog urine is notoriously bad for most plants and will eventually kill them, mostly due to ammonia burn.
Convincing your dog that you don’t need help watering the plants each day isn’t always easy. Instinctual behaviors are really hard to break, so this one will require quite a bit of dedication and time.
First, take up the plants if at all possible. If it’s not there, he can’t urinate on it. That’s the easiest and fastest solution.
If your plants are too big to pick up, you’ll have to work with your dog instead. Start by spritzing down the containers with a good dog-safe repellant. If you catch your pup in the act, don’t scold; immediately redirect him to a new spot outside or a pee pad. A good, firm, “no” when you see him heading for the pot helps, too.
Training your dog to go potty where and when you want him to can be challenging. Although it won’t always seem that way, starting when your dog is young is really the best approach to take. All the various methods in the world won’t quickly fix a problem if your dog’s been allowed to engage in the problem behavior for several years. For older dogs, an appointment with a behavioral specialist or trainer is often best.