If you’re a dog parent or planning to become one, you must know that the job is exciting but challenging. There is a lot of responsibility and commitment involved, from giving your pet the best accommodation and food to healthcare. While it’s admirable that you give everything your pet needs, you might also be overwhelmed with keeping your house clean.
Not having your dog mess up your home initially will be a task, but fret not. If you train your dog, you’ll be able to do it effortlessly. First, you must toilet train your dog so that they relieve itself outside or in a dedicated area. Easier said than done, but we’ll share some tips to make it easy for you. Let’s go!
Here Are A Few Simple Yet Effective Tricks To Toilet Train Your Dog
Toilet-training, your dog, can be daunting, but with a bit of patience and these simple tips, you’ll have your furry friend house-trained in no time. However, it’s essential to be consistent with your pup’s training – otherwise, they’ll only get confused!
Be On The Lookout For Signs That Your Dog Needs To Go To The Toilet
Scratching, tongue-licking, sniffing around, fidgeting, and beginning to circle before squatting are all signs of your dog needing the toilet. If you notice your dog displaying any of the following behaviours, quickly but calmly get their attention and take them outdoors.
To successfully toilet-train your dog, it is important to recognise when they need to go. Some signs that your dog needs to relieve themselves may be more evident than others, so don’t fret if you don’t catch them all the time.
Look For An Appropriate Place For Your Dog To Defecate Comfortably
If you are house training a new dog, it can be helpful to know what kind of surface they prefer to relieve themselves on. For example, some dogs or puppies may already be used to going on the floor or bedding. So, it can be a good idea to take up any rugs or block access to carpeted areas while they’re learning, which will help them adjust more quickly.
When you bring your dog home, give him plenty of opportunities to go to the bathroom on walks. For the first few weeks, take your pup out frequently for potty breaks so he can get used to his new routine.
Supervise – Supervision Is Key When Potty Training Dogs
Potty training dogs require close supervision to be successful. Without proper care, accidents are likely to happen. To effectively toilet train them, it is essential to be consistent with potty breaks and closely monitor your dog’s behaviour.
You must be able to watch your dog at all times, or they will not learn how to eliminate outside correctly. However, once they relieve themselves outside often, you can leave them for more prolonged periods without direct supervision.
Crate-Train Your Dog
Crate training can be a helpful tool when potty training dogs, as most dogs can be taught to love spending time relaxing in their crates. With proper crate training, your dog will learn to associate their crate with positive experiences, making it a safe and comfortable place to relax.
If your dog already views the crate as a place to potty, or if the crate is a scary place for your dog, you may want to consult with a trainer on alternative management options.
With Multiple Practices And Opportunities, Your Dog Will Perfect It
The more chances your dog gets to relieve itself outdoors, the more likely it will be able to learn quickly. Go to the same spot each time, and wait until it goes. By doing this, your dog will understand that this is the designated spot to potty and will be less likely to have accidents indoors over time.
It Is Important To Feed Your Dog On A Regular Schedule
Dogs who are fed on a regular schedule generally have regular bowel movements, and this is because their digestive system processes food at specific intervals.
Free-feeding your dog, can make potty training more difficult because they are not used to holding their bowels for long periods. Sticking to a regular feeding schedule when potty training your dog is best to make things easier for both of you.
Keep A Note Of Your Dog’s Schedule
Most dogs relieve themselves at three specific timings:
- Right before or after eating (with five meals a day)
- Right after a nap (with five naps a day)
- After playtime is over (almost ten times a day)
Hence, keeping a note of your dog’s schedule can help you predict when it might need to use the bathroom. Then, once the plan is ready, be sure to regularly take your dog to its designated potty area as per the schedule.
Encourage Good Behaviour With Treats And Praise
Dogs are highly motivated by food, so offering them a treat every time they toilet in the appropriate spot is a great way to reinforce good behaviour.
Be sure to praise them enthusiastically as well! This will help them understand that they are doing something you approve of. Dogs love positive reinforcement, so the more you give them, the better!
Consistency Is The Key
In addition to the aforementioned effective methods, you can incorporate a cue word while potty-training your dog. For example, when toilet training your dog, it can be helpful to introduce a cue word like ‘go-potty’, ’empty’, or ‘business-time’ as they go to the toilet. This can help encourage them to go out and relieve themselves if they are in a new place.
Patience, perseverance, and positive reinforcement are key when toilet-training your dog. Be consistent with your commands and rewards, and remain calm even if there are accidents. With time and effort, your dog will learn to hold it in until it can go outside.
FAQ
How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Get Potty Trained?
It typically takes 4-6 months for a dog to be fully potty-trained, but some dogs may take up to a year. House training your dog requires patience and consistency, no matter how long it takes to get the hang of it.
How Do I Get My Dog To Pee Before Bed?
Take your dog out for a potty break before bed. Keep a nighttime routine. Huge praise is a great way to encourage your dog to keep up its nighttime routine. Consistency will let them know it’s time to go potty before bed.
How Long After Eating Does A Dog Poop?
Most dogs will poop after eating or waking up. However, all dogs have different schedules, so you’ll learn what works best for your dog. However, if you see your dog starting to squat, circle, or show other signs that they may need to go, it’s best to take them out immediately.
Toilet training your dog is necessary and something you just can’t ignore. Using the tricks mentioned above, you can efficiently work on this process and get positive results. While it can take some time, patience is the key. If the thought of toilet training your dog overwhelms you, you can always reach out to a reliable dog trainer to help you and your dog.
