Puppy & Adult Dog Potty Training

Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting adventure filled with love and joy, but it also comes with the important challenge of potty training. Remember that patience and consistency are your most valuable tools during this process. Puppies are learning about their world, and bathroom training is a critical skill that requires understanding, positive reinforcement (no punishment ever), patience, consistency, and a loving, gentle approach.

The first step in successful potty training is establishing a consistent routine. Puppies have small bladders and limited control, so they’ll need frequent bathroom breaks. Take your puppy outside every one to two hours, especially after meals, naps, playtime, and first thing in the morning and at bedtime. Choose a specific outdoor spot for bathroom breaks and always use the same area. This helps your puppy understand the purpose of going outside and begin to recognize the appropriate place to relieve themselves.

Positive reinforcement is crucial in potty training. Each time your puppy successfully goes to the bathroom outside, offer immediate praise and a small treat. Use an enthusiastic, happy tone of voice to show your puppy that they’ve done something wonderful. This creates a positive association with going to the bathroom in the right place and encourages them to repeat the behavior. Be sure to reward them within seconds of finishing, so they connect the praise directly with the act of eliminating outside.

Accidents will happen, and it’s important to handle them with gentleness, patience and understanding. Never punish your puppy for indoor accidents, as this can create fear and anxiety around bathroom habits. If you catch your puppy in the act of having an accident indoors, calmly interrupt them and quickly take them outside to their designated spot. If you find an accident after the fact, simply clean it thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent and prevent repeat marking. In this case, never look angrily at your puppy and say, ‘what did you do?’ Dogs live in the moment and they will never be able to understand what you’re saying or doing. They just see your anger and could misinterpret the moment.

Crate training can be an excellent complement to potty training. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, so a properly sized crate can help teach bladder control. Do NOT use a crate that is locked except in very certain circumstance. When you can’t directly supervise your puppy, the crate becomes a safe space. However, be careful not to leave a young puppy in a crate for too long. Puppies can typically hold their bladder for about one hour per month of age, plus one. So a two-month-old puppy can usually hold it for about three hours only.

Watch for your puppy’s bathroom signals, which may include sniffing, circling, whining, or suddenly stopping play. These are indications that they need to go outside. As you become more attuned to these signals, you’ll be able to prevent more accidents and help your puppy succeed. Keep a consistent feeding schedule, as this helps regulate their bathroom needs and makes the training process more predictable.

Night-time training requires additional patience. Limit water intake a couple of hours before bedtime, and take your puppy out for a final bathroom break right before sleeping. Be prepared for potential night-time bathroom needs, especially for very young puppies. A crate next to your bed can help you hear when your puppy needs to go out, and it makes them feel secure. Crates can make a puppy or older dog feel like they’re being punished and isolated; they become fearful and anxious. Use crates only when absolutely necessary and never more than an hour or two. Leave the door open so that it becomes his little house when he wants to chill.

Remember that every puppy is different, and some may take longer to potty train than others. Breed, individual personality, and previous experiences can all impact learning speed. Stay consistent, remain positive, and celebrate every small success. With time, patience, and love, your puppy will learn to be a bathroom training champion.

We trained Reggie, our beagle puppy with bells on a leather strap that hung on the front door knob. At first, when we took him out, we tapped the bells as we were going out the door. After a short time, Reggie knew that if he tapped the bells himself, it was a signal to us to take him out. Training was quick and easy. Also, whenever he had a ‘successful mission’ outside, we gave him a small treat when we brought him back in. You can click here to see bells similar to the ones we hung on our door. Just make sure that the length of the long strap coordinates with the size of your puppy or dog so that they can reach them easily.

If you’re struggling or not seeing progress after several weeks, you can consult a professional dog trainer or your naturopathic/holistic veterinarian. They can provide personalized guidance and ensure there are no underlying health issues affecting your puppy’s bathroom habits. Your commitment and compassionate approach are the keys to successfully teaching your new furry friend this essential life skill.

What about potty training an adult rescue, re-homed, or shelter dog?:

Adopting an adult dog from a shelter or rescue organization is a beautiful act of compassion, but it can come with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to bathroom habits. Many rescue dogs may have had inconsistent incomplete, or absolutely prior training, past trauma, or learned behaviors that contribute to indoor accidents. Understanding and patience are crucial as you help your new canine child learn the appropriate place to relieve themselves.

The first step in successfully potty training an adult rescue dog is to establish a consistent routine. Unlike puppies, adult dogs have more developed bladder control, but they still need time to understand and adapt to your expectations. Rescues are usually very eager to please you due to the fact that they are grateful. Begin by taking your new dog outside frequently, using a consistent schedule. Plan bathroom breaks first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps or periods of rest, after playtime, and before bedtime. You can choose to be the same very gentle alarm sound in your phone so that your doggo will get used to that sound as a prompt to go out. Choose a specific outdoor area and use it consistently to help your dog recognize their designated bathroom spot.

Observation is key when working with a rescue dog. Pay close attention to their body language and potential signals that they need to go outside. These might include pacing, sniffing the ground, circling, whining, or standing near the door. Each dog is unique, and rescue dogs may have developed different communication methods based on their past experiences. Take time to learn your dog’s individual cues and signals.

Positive reinforcement is essential in retraining bathroom habits. When your dog successfully goes to the bathroom outside, offer immediate praise and a treat. Use a happy, enthusiastic tone to create a positive association with outdoor elimination. Be generous with your praise and rewards, helping your dog understand that going to the bathroom in the right place is something to be celebrated. This approach helps build confidence and trust, which is particularly important for dogs who may have experienced past trauma or inconsistent training. You don’t want to add anymore trauma to these precious souls.

Accidents will happen, and it’s crucial to handle them with patience and understanding. Never punish your dog for indoor accidents, as this can create anxiety and potentially worsen the problem. If you catch your dog in the act of having an accident, calmly interrupt them and quickly guide them outside to their designated bathroom area. If you find an accident after the fact, simply clean it thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent completely and prevent repeat marking; never bring it to your dog’s attention as they won’t be able to understand. Dogs live in the moment.

Crate training can be an excellent tool for adult rescue dogs, but it’s not for all of them. If you decide to use one, get a properly sized crate can help with bathroom training and provide a sense of security. However, introduce the crate gradually and positively, making it a comfortable and safe space. Use the crate for extremely short periods (one or two hours at most) when you cannot directly supervise your dog, but be careful to never use it as a punishment. Never use it for more than 2 hours per day. Leave the door open in the crate so that your dog can use it to chill or nap when he needs to. I would suggest starting out without a crate and see if you need one at all after a few weeks.

Some rescue dogs may have specific challenges that complicate potty training. Dogs from puppy mills, long-term shelter stays, or abusive situations might have developed learned behaviors or anxiety around bathroom habits. In these cases, additional patience and potentially professional help may be necessary. Consider working with a professional dog trainer who has experience with rescue dogs and behavior modification. You can also find vets to speak with online.

Medical considerations are also important. Some indoor accidents may be related to underlying health issues such as urinary tract infections, digestive problems, or age-related incontinence. If you notice persistent accidents or any changes in bathroom habits, consult with your holistic/naturopathic veterinarian to rule out medical causes.

Consistency is the most critical factor in successfully potty training an adult rescue dog. Maintain a regular feeding schedule, as this helps regulate bathroom needs. Be predictable in your routine, use the same outdoor spot, and always offer praise and rewards for successful outdoor elimination. Remember that your new dog is learning to trust you and understand the rules of their new home. You could also use my bells method that we were extremely successful with and had fun using – see the puppy section above or click here to read more about them and purchase.

Every rescue dog has a unique history, and some may take weeks or even months to fully adjust to a new home and potty training routine. Some dogs may have past trauma or previous living conditions that make bathroom training more challenging. Approach the process with empathy, understanding, and unconditional love. Celebrate small victories and be patient with setbacks.

Your commitment, patience, and compassion are the most powerful tools in helping your rescue dog feel secure, loved, and successful in their new home. With time, understanding, and consistent positive reinforcement, your new companion will learn to feel comfortable and confident in their bathroom habits.