Toilet training is an important part of caring responsibly for your dog; whether you’re getting a puppy or an adult, you need to properly house-train them. Puppies may naturally take a few months to be completely house-trained, and some adult dogs that have had no previous house training may also take a bit of time. To stop your dog from going to the toilet inside, you first need to show them where to go and reward them for doing their business somewhere appropriate. However, accidents are natural as they settle, so you’ll need patience and give them time to adjust. Here are our tips to help toilet-train your puppy or dog. 

Step 1 – Look Out For Signs They Need The Toilet

It will be quite obvious when your dog has had an accident inside, you can try to look out for the tell-tale signs and try to redirect them before it happens. If you notice your dog pacing, circling, whining, barking, or general restlessness, quickly get their attention and take them outside. 

Step 2 – Figure Out Where is Best for Them to Go

Knowing what kind of surface your dog prefers to go to the toilet will help with house training – do they prefer grass, gravel, or cement? The breeder or rescue centre should be able to help you with this. We recommend that your dog goes outside to the toilet as this won’t delay the process if you begin with puppy pads, or in the crate. 

Once you have figured out the best place to go, keep them on the lead and prompt your dog to ‘go to the toilet’ when you ask them. Teaching your dog to go to the toilet when asked can be useful, as they will begin to associate your words with what they are doing. Always reward them for toileting outside, so they know you are pleased with their behaviour. Be sure to tell them what a good dog they are, and give them a tasty treat as a bonus – the more you reward behaviours you want, the more likely they are to keep behaving that way. When you’ve been practising for a good while, and you feel confident enough, take them off the lead and take them to their usual spot, say your chosen phrase and see if they go. If they don’t, continue practising – it may take some time, but they should start to understand soon.

Step 3 – Establish a Routine

Consistency is key with toilet training and with a clear routine, they will grow in confidence and feel more secure, eliminating their anxiety and therefore less likely to go to the toilet in the wrong place. In the beginning, your dog might not associate being outside with going to the toilet, therefore we recommend sitting down or making yourself uninteresting and ignoring them for a bit. They will likely get bored and start sniffing around, which will increase the chances of them going to the toilet. If you’ve been out for a while, and they haven’t done anything, go back inside and try again later. (Keep an eye out for any signs!). 

While your dog is building up bladder control, we recommend taking your dog out: 

  • When they first wake up in the morning and after any naps during the day. 
  • After eating and drinking 
  • After a period of activity – e.g. after playtime or ‘zoomies’ or anytime they get excited
  • Before bedtime – try to make their last trip outside as late as you can

These are the key times to take them outside, but it’s always good to give them plenty of opportunities to go outside during the day, to maximise the chances of them going to the toilet in the right place. 

We recommend picking up your dog’s water bowl a few hours before they go to bed to reduce the likelihood that they need to relieve themselves during the night. However, if they do need to go, don’t make a fuss, otherwise they will think it’s time to play. Try not to turn many lights on, don’t play with them, just take them out to the spot where they want to relieve themselves and then return them to bed.

What to Do if Your Dog Has an Accident Indoors

Accidents inside are likely to happen whilst they are learning, so be prepared. We recommend buying an enzymatic cleaner which eradicates the odour and is completely broken down, so your dog can’t smell it and attract them to go again in the same spot. 

If your dog does have an accident inside, immediately take them outside to continue or ensure they have finished and praise them for going there. Don’t punish them for toileting in the house, simply clean it up thoroughly. If you tell them off, they may continue going to the toilet inside away from you to try to hide, which causes more issues. 

Try shutting off areas of the house by shutting the doors or installing pet gates to confine your dog to a few places whilst you are in the training stages. That way, if they do have an accident without you knowing, you’ll be able to find it and clean it quickly.

Dog Training With A&T Trained Dogs 

Toilet training is essential, but if you are struggling or are finding it tricky to train your dog with a busy schedule, our dog trainers can step in and help! 

With extensive facilities and experience, our team will make a bespoke dog training plan for your dog and give you a thorough handover to extend into the home. Contact us online or call us on 01524 587 315.