Confinement: This is simply managing your dog’s environment. If you have beautiful carpet in one area of your home and hardwood or linoleum in another, try to keep the dog confined to the area that is easy to clean and won’t hold onto the odor should the dog have an accident. Many pet owners learn that using a crate, baby gates or an exercise pen in the home helps manage the dog between potty breaks. Being confined to a smaller area helps because most dogs don’t like to eliminate where they eat or sleep so crate training is a wonderful tool if done in a positive and consistent way. Consider feeding your dog in your confined dog-appropriate area and then taking your dog out to a designated potty location shortly after feeding time. When you take your dog out, remain quiet, calm, and still. Don’t go for a big walk or go somewhere interesting and new. Go to a familiar or hopefully the same spot to relieve your dog and wait patiently. If your dog goes potty he has earned your trust to be out and have access to your home. If he doesn’t go, give him a few more minutes in the confined space and then take him out again.

Timing is everything: dogs have very consistent digestive tracks if they are on a regular diet. Changes in food can result in an upset stomach or loosening of their stool. Find a diet that is healthy and helps your dog have a regular and solid stool. Keep rich treats to a minimum and remember, any changes to diet may require more frequent potty trips. If your dog has a consistent feeding schedule, it will make potty-break timing easier to manage. When your dog eliminates in an appropriate area in front of you, give him some feedback such as saying, “Good Potty”. This help names the behavior and let him know that he made a good choice on location to relieve himself.

Alternative potty plans can include potty pads or indoor potty stations for urban dwellers, or if you have a long-distance between your apartment and the nearest appropriate potty area. If you have a small outdoor deck or landing area, you can set up a turf potty station when your dog is new to the environment. Then work toward going potty outside as your dog establishes a routine. Another option for pet parents who don’t want to use crates or confinement is tethering. This is where you tie your dog to you. The idea of tethering is your dog is with you, and you can rush outside if nature calls. It also prevents him from slipping into the next room when nature calls.

If you continue to have issues and your routine is very established, mention it the next time you see your veterinarian to make sure there are not any medical issues keeping you and your dog from being successful. If your dog has accidents inside, use a pet stain and odor removing the product to completely remove the enzymes left behind by pet elimination. This is key so the odor doesn’t trigger your dog to potty in that area again.

Potty Plan: What To Do If Your Potty Training Fails

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