I am in the process of potty training the newest dog in my home. Between the dogs I have owned, rescue dogs, and client’s dogs, I have completed the potty training process for around 50 dogs in my home. I have learned many tricks to make the process go fast!
Pick the Spot
If you want to potty train your puppy fast, pick a spot that is appealing to them. Sniffing and moving around is what stimulates a dog to potty. If you want your puppy to hit a small target of concrete or a puppy pad, you may get frustrated with the process. Find an area where you can give them some freedom to get the job done. Some dogs need to roam around for 5-10 minutes before they have a bowel movement. If your puppy needs to be on a leash, use an eight-foot or longer leash to give them enough freedom to go potty. You can always refine the potty area as they mature to a smaller space.
Get Potty on Cue
Once you get your dog to the spot, you need a cue that tells them what to do. Otherwise, when you go to a new spot, you will be waiting a long time for them to figure out why you are hanging out there.
The quickest way to get “potty” on cue is to say the words “go potty” right as they start to pee. I give poop a different cue, “get busy.” In the beginning, you need to match the word to the action. Dogs don’t speak English so the two events needs to be paired together (pee = potty, poop =busy). Once you have paired it together for one week (several times a day), you should be able to use your cue to make the potty happen.
The Problem With Puppy Pads
While puppy pads seem like an ideal solution, they don’t always make sense to the dog. Hitting a small target is the first problem. Some dogs will naturally pee on the pad, pooping on it is a whole another problem. Humans also don’t generally remove the pad after each use which leads the dog to avoid it.
I never use potty pads. Once given some freedom in the house, the dog will confuse them for floor mats and other soft surfaces. A good schedule will eliminate the needs for pads.
Ring The Bell
The number one false belief is that the dog will tell you when they have to go outside. In the dog world, puppies don’t give their dog mom some alert signal they have to go to the bathroom, they just go. Teaching your dog to ring a bell on the door is the fastest way to train your dog to signal you.
Ditch The Dog Door
I know I am rocking your entire world. Humans potty train their dogs, not dog doors. The problem with dog doors is that humans assume once they have shoved the dog outside through the hole, the process is done. Many dogs get afraid or distracted once they are outside by themselves. They may run out there, start chasing a bird and completely forget to go potty. Then they come inside and pee on the floor. Dog doors can also lead to territorial behavioral in adulthood.
Breeds Do Matter
I have potty trained just about every breed out there: labradors, pugs, shih tzus, chihuahuas, australian shepherds are just a few. Some breeds are easier than others to get on a potty training plan. However, the difference is mainly in the individual dog.
Some dogs can naturally hold more urine before they need to release it. More frequent potty makes potty training takes a little more effort. If your puppy came from an environment where there was no designated potty area or confinement training, by the time they come home you are already set back a bit.
If your breed of dog is naturally more active, they will have to potty more. It will require more diligence on your part. You will have to be home more often during the training process.
Quality Dog Food
If you are feeding your dog less expensive food with lots of fillers like corn, soy, or by-products, you are simply making potty training harder. The more fillers in a food means more poop! Dogs and puppies on a quality dog food will poop less and have smaller poop. Quality dog food makes potty training faster.
If your puppy’s poop is the consistency of soft serve ice cream (or softer), take action. Get a fecal done at your vet to check for parasites. If it comes back negative (clean), consider feeding your puppy less food. Too much food can cause looser stool. Firm, healthy poop makes potty training go faster.
So Here’s the Secret to Fast Potty Training
Controlling the environment and putting the dog on a schedule can accomplish the goal no matter the breed or size. Sorry, nothing too flashy!
You have to use management to restrict their movements so they don’t roam around and just squat mid-run. This means crate training at night, exercise pens during the day, tie downs, and umbilical cords. You have to be home to see your dog or puppy’s warning signs for having to potty (circling, sniffing, whining). There is no short cut. You have to be consistent and take your dog or puppy out to his or her designated potty spot, get a successful potty, and reinforce with treats or toys.
It is true that most dogs given a normal upbringing don’t want to potty in what they consider their den. Most naturally, a den is a very small space. Teaching your dog that your whole entire house is the den will take some time. You will have to “potty train” your dog in every room of the house.
We would love to hear about your potty training challenges! Drop a comment below. If you have any questions about puppy training, feel free to contact us or sign up for a puppy group class!
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