How To Potty Train A Dog: Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks

Like babies, puppies need to learn to control themselves and find the right place to urinate or eliminate waste; this simple routine is called ‘potty training’. If you want to know how to potty train a dog, you first need to find out if your dog easily understands your commands or if it takes time for him to understand any simple instructions from you. Does your dog easily retain simple commands? Or does he respond positively when you motivate him with a treat? Knowing your dog’s attitude is very important if you want to be successful in potty training.

Most pet owners agree that when their dogs urinate on furniture, appliances, and even carpets, cleaning them becomes very stressful; the best answer to this problem is to potty train your pets. Although there are professional dog trainers who know how to potty train a dog and will be able to train your dog for a fee, this could be useless, not to mention expensive, if your dogs don’t open up easily to strangers. The best option, then, is to potty train your dog yourself.

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you want to learn how to potty train a dog. The training process is quite easy, yes, if your pet trusts you enough. Dogs tend to retain their lessons when they are rewarded rather than punished. Pet owners who know little about dog training should keep in mind that a great deal of trust, respect, and patience is required from your dog if you want him to become more obedient. If you show them that you are something, or someone, to fear, they will only cower and ignore your commands.

To successfully potty train a dog, you need to understand the basics of dog training; time and effort are two key concepts involved in this process. Obviously, the best age to potty train a dog is during his puppyhood. The sooner you teach them to get used to disposing of their waste in the right place, the sooner they will learn the routine; however, if he is too old, keep repeating this routine until it becomes a habit.

By nature, dogs do not relieve themselves in territories they are familiar with or identify as home; in fact, dogs are known to hold onto their waste until they can no longer do so. When a dog relieves him inside the house, try not to see it as disrespectful. Just like humans, dogs also need to be corrected. In order to potty train a dog well, you should view this activity as an opportunity to bond with him and gain his trust.

As mentioned above, you must follow a strict feeding routine. Later on, your dog will pattern his bowel movements around your eating routine. Always try to feed your dog at the same time each day and take him out of the house 10 to 15 minutes after his meal. Let him walk around, but try not to play with him or he’ll think it’s his playtime instead of his potty time.

When your dog finally eliminates his waste in the proper area, give him praise and a treat; keep this routine until he gets used to it. To make sure your dog remembers this lesson, you should show him disapproval when he relieves himself inside the house. You should get his attention (yell at him but don’t hit him!) when you catch him in the act and take him outside.