How To Potty Train Your Dog

When you ask someone how to potty train your dog, you might get an answer you don't want to hear.  The reality of it is that everyone will have a different answer for you.  I am sure that many of them work, but which one is the right one for you and your dog?

Some dog breeds react better to certain strategies where other dogs really do not at all.  Also, some dogs will take much longer to potty train than others.  This may require you to use wee wee pads in the house if you are not there all the time.

Here is how I have successfully potty trained the 5 dogs I have had in my lifetime.

You first need to understand that dogs need to be a certain age in order for them to understand what you are trying to get them to do.  I would say this age is between six months and a year old.  Trying to train your dog to do anything before that age is almost a complete waist of time.  You are better off trying to teach your 10 year old how to fly an airplane.  Once the dog has reached that age where they are starting to understand commands, you can now start your potty training strategy.

First, you want to make sure that when you are not home, try to put your dog in a smaller (not too small) fenced off area where there is hard wood floor or tile.  The last thing you want is for the dog to go to the bathroom on your carpet.  This will make the cleaning process much easier on you.  It will also teach the dog that they have to hold it if they want to have a clean place to play and lie around.  Dogs will usually not go to the bathroom where they sleep or hang out.  They know that their waist is in fact waist and that it's a toxic substance. 

Second, as the dog starts going to the bathroom in the house, you need to let them know that the house is NOT the place to do that.  However, by just telling them no and walking them outside is not enough for them.  They will not understand what you are telling them to do outside.  The dog needs an object to focus on and then a place to focus on that object.  I know this sounds a little harsh but it does work.  Once the dog goes to the bathroom, take their nose and rub their nose in their own waist.  Don't do this too hard but enough for them to smell what it is and for them to know what you are trying to get them to focus on.  Then you need to take them outside to the place where you would like them to go to the bathroom.  This gives them an object to focus on in this example, being their waist, and then you give them a place to focus on it. 

Keep in mind you are going to have to do this for quite some time for the dog to figure out that it is NOT ok for them to go to the bathroom inside the house.  Again, some dogs will get this much quicker then other dogs will.  Be patient and make sure you stay consistent with your strategy.

What has your experience been trying to potty train your dog?  Did you use this technique or did you use a different technique?