Dog Potty Training Do's and Don'ts

Dog potty training can make or break the relationship with your dog. Shelters are full of sweet and friendly dogs, that just weren't properly housebroken.

And let's face it, who wants to come home from a long day at work and then have to start cleaning the floor, furniture and (if you have a jumper like I do) your clothes.

I want your dog potty training frustration to end here.

Choose Your Training Method

It's important to choose just one though. Mixing several methods will only confuse your dog and slow down the house training process.

If you're lucky enough to live on the ground floor, I suggest you just train your dog to do his business outside right from the start.

If on the other hand you don't have immediate outside access, you'll want to train your puppy to go indoors. No, I'm not talking about letting your dog go on the expensive Persian rug (unless it was a gift you hate). I'm talking about paper training or an indoor dog potty.

Outdoor Dog Potty Training

Basically, you just take your dog outside as soon as you notice the telltale potty signals (more on that further down).

Keep in mind that puppies have a preference of surface. If they learn to do their business on grass, they might not ever want to go potty on concrete or dirt. So unless you're positive there will always be grass available for your dog, wherever you take him, teach him to go on different surfaces.

Paper Training

Choose a spot in your house or appartment where you want your puppy to go. Preferably with a floor you can easily clean. Make sure it's not right next to your dog's sleeping and eating area.

Put down some newspapers in that spot. As soon as you notice your puppy has to go, pick him up and put him on the newspapers. Everytime he goes on the newspaper, praise him like there's no tomorrow.

Once your puppy knows he's supposed to go on the paper, you can slowly start to put fewer and fewer papers on the floor. Shrink down the area where he can go. If you do this too fast, you'll experience what I experienced; a puppy happily peeing all over the floor with just his front paws on the paper...

Indoor Dog Potty Training

Some of them are very basic, like a cat litter box with dog litter. Some will fit right in with your furniture, have fake (or real) grass, or even have a fire hydrant.

What kind of an indoor dog potty you buy is really up to you. What you like and how much money you're willing to spend on it.

The training method is pretty much the same as with paper training. Choose a spot away from the dog's sleeping and eating area. Put your puppy on the indoor dog potty when you notice he has to go. Wait untill he did his business and praise.

For a breakdown of all the indoor dog potties go to the indoor dog potty page. You'll find facts, tips and customer reviews to help you make the right decision.

Consistency Is The Key

For example; don't let your dog pee in the house one day and them scold him for it the next.

To make things easier for both of you, it's a good idea to pick one spot your dog can eliminate outside. Don't take your dog anywhere else until he did his business in that spot.

After a few times, your dog will understand that that's "his" spot.

This can be a real time saver in the morning.

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