Potty Training the Fast and Positive Way
- Potty training is the first thing we think of, and have to address, as soon as our new puppy arrives at our home.
There are many misconceptions on the "how" of potty training. Hopefully this article will clear up things for you
and answer any questions you may have about the potty training process.
First I would like to discuss the idea of "catching your dog in the act". Years ago the big thing was to drag the
dog back to the area where he had an accident and scold him. Some people would even stick his nose in it
and say "bad dog". In reality the poor dog has not a clue what you are doing, why you are doing it and may
even cause him to distrust you.
Important note to remember: You have to catch your dog in the act of doing "anything" in order for him to
connect your unhappiness with the act of whatever he was doing. I know, some would love to still argue that
their dog does know, they say, "He knows he did something wrong, look at how he is acting, he is acting
guilty." However, the "looking guilty" is your dog speaking to you in dog language, not a "feeling" of actual guilt.
Your dog is reacting to your emotional state of being angry and therefore he is using submissive body
language, hoping it will get you to stop being angry or to just "chill". He is not really connecting the potty
accident to your behavior. The accident already happened, it's done, and it's no longer in the puppy's thoughts.
They live in the moment.
OK here we go for fast & positive potty training:
1. Make a Feeding Schedule
Make sure your puppy has a feeding schedule. If you feed them all day long they will poop all day long. Give
them a certain amount of time to eat and then take the rest away. (Free feeding can cause dogs to either be
picky eaters or to be overweight). For the smaller puppies you can feed them 3 times a day, or even for the tiny
ones 4 or more while they are really tiny. You can give them 20 minutes or so, or even longer for the slow
eaters. Don't feel bad taking away the food. They will learn to eat their food or it will be gone. Dogs are not
cows therefore they do not need to graze all day.
When your pup is on a feeding schedule he will also have a schedule for eliminating.
2. Use a Potty Command
You can say "Go Potty" while you are waiting for him to go. When your pup goes you need to get excited and
say "Good Potty!" You can reward them with a throw of a toy. After a while they know what "Go Potty" means
and you can get them to go on command. Many people who show their dogs use this before they go into the
ring. My dogs even fake it if they don't have to go!
3. Stay out there with him You need to be a part of this process so you need to be outside with your puppy.
Don't just throw them out the door and then bring them in later. If you do that what typically happens is that they
get sidetracked and play and forget to go potty and as soon as you let them in the house... Guess what
happens... Yep they go Potty!
The best thing I found (especially if you have other dogs) is to keep them on a leash even in a fenced yard, use
your potty command, and then after they go potty the leash comes off and you can throw them a toy. This way
they learn that they have to "do their business first" before any play time comes along.
4. After the Fact
You have to catch him in the act of going potty. This means you are going to have to control the environment.
Crate training comes in very handy which will be discussed in this article. You can use puppy pens or puppy
gates or you can even tie your dog to you in the house. You must keep an eye on him at all times. It only takes
one moment for your pup to sneak away into another room and go potty.
"Whatever behavior a dog is doing is what he is learning to do." The more times your pup goes in the house
without you catching him actually "going", the longer it will take him to learn "not" to go potty in the house.
Catch you dog in the act - Please don't make a big huge deal out of it when you catch them potting in the
house. We don't want a dog with psychological potty issues. A quick "Ah Ah Ah" and swoop them outside, stay
out there with them and use the potty command. Really praise it up if they finish going potty outside. If it's a little
dog you can swoop him up and hold him still, then immediately bring him outside. They will learn quickly if this
happens "every time" they start to potty in the house.
5. Clean It Up If your puppy did have an accident just clean it up. Don't make a big deal and don't bring him
back to the scene of the crime. You need to use special cleaning agents with an enzymatic cleaner to get the
odor out good enough that your pet does not still smell it. You can get this at any pet store, there are several
different brands. If your pet still can smell it, chances are he will go in that same spot again.
Crate Training
1. It is important to make crate training a pleasant experience. This should be his security den where he likes
to go to get a break from things. You could put treats, chews or toys in the crate to make it a fun place. You can
also feed your pup in the crate.
Another good thing to do is to put your pup in the crate while you are planning to stay home. Maybe while you
are watching TV or working on the computer. If your puppy does scream and cry you are going to have to
ignore this. You can tell him quiet or if it's excessive you can use a water bottle and give them a little squirt of
water while you say "quiet". Reward them right away for stopping the whining and take them out while they are
quiet. If you feel bad and take them out as soon as they cry they will learn really fast that all they have to do is to
put up a ruckus and they can come out.
2. Keep your puppy in the crate at night and keep it in your room. Dogs are social animals and puppies are
used to being with their mom and litter mates. We do not want to isolate the puppy. Make sure they have gone
potty before bedtime and give them something good in the crate to keep them occupied. This way if they
wake up in the middle of the night having to go potty (and this happens) you are able to take them out so they
don’t spoil in their crate or have to try to hold it too long. It’s the same thing in the middle of the night - stay
outside with them until they go. Then bring them in and put them right back into the crate. If they cry tell them
quiet, give them something to chew on and try real hard to ignore it until they fall asleep again.
First thing in the morning bring them straight outside.
3. While you are away - Hopefully you have been putting your pup in the crate while you are home watching TV
etc. So when you leave they are getting used to the crate. Most new pup owners only put them in the crate
when they leave the dog home along. This will create a "not so good" association with the crate. Also, a lot of
dogs start to play "catch me if you can" when it's time for the owner to put them in the crate.
Try not to leave your puppy in the crate too long without getting a break. I realize most people have to work all
day. See if you can get a neighbor to come over every 2 or 4 hours to let them out. This will also help them not
be so worried about having to get into the crate. The smaller the dog, the smaller the bladder. Tiny dogs need
to be taken out more often.
If you follow these easy steps potty training should go fast and painless
Remember to:
Make a feeding Schedule
Use a potty command
Stay outside with him until he goes potty
Catch him in the act - or do nothing if you did not catch him
Clean it up - Use enzymatic cleaner made for pet odors.
Remember: Crate training is not cruel. Pups are den animals and usually will learn to love their crates. It also
protects them from getting into things that can hurt or harm them when you are not able to watch. You will not
have to use the crate forever, just until the pup is trained enough to be trusted on his own. It's also nice to have
a crate trained dog for situations where you have to kennel him such as; at the vets, groomers, or if you go on
vacation and have to kennel him. It will be a much more pleasant experience if he perceives the crate as his
happy little safe place.
Crate training is an essential part of puppy hood and helps significantly in the process of potty training.
Written by Cheryl Kresge
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