How to easily toilet train your dog, and not go potty over pups
Toilet training new pups and dogs is enough to make anyone go potty. Take the tears out of training, and use our top tips for independent toilet trips.
Bringing a new pet into the family can be a daunting task for anyone, especially when your new pup needs a lot of training. Toilet training your dog is one of the most important, and often most stressful, aspects of training your new friend, so we're here to help your waggy bestie become a potty-trained pro.
Here's our top tips for toilet training puppies and dogs of all kinds, to keep paws clean and tails wagging.
Find their outside bathroom
Picking the right spot can help your dog know and remember where their very own bathroom is. Finding a regular area in your outside space helps your pup associate that spot with going to the toilet, and will cue them in to what they should be doing. Make sure that this a spot you can take your dog to everyday, and is safe for them to use. It can also help to let them play and run around in the area afterwards, so they can explore their space fully and feel totally at home there. Some dogs may also hold on for a while if they think they'll have to go straight home once they're done, so having some fun outside time afterwards means waggy tails all round. If you are using a public space for your pooches bathroom breaks, don't forget those poo bags, and remember to dispose in designated bins to keep the community clean.
Once you've found the physical space, use your words to help toilet train your dog in no time.
Verbal cues and commands
Using verbal commands consistently is the best way to help your dog connect actions to your words. Most pups are pretty smart, and if they hear the same command every time they use the bathroom, they'll know it's time to go when you call. Use your chosen command word or phrase both before you go outside and once you reach your designated bathroom area, so they can really connect the dots. Make sure to also verbally praise them for going to the toilet successfully, or for any success they make along they way. Positive reinforcement is always the best method of toilet training, so let your pup know what a good boy they are, and that you're proud of them for trying their best. If you're struggling to get your puppy to listen and respond to you at all, check out our tips for generally training new puppies here).
Up next, we think your dog deserves a tasty treat for doing so well.
Tasty rewards
After a long day of training, nothing goes down better than something yummy to eat. Make sure to reward your dog when they do a good job with a delicious treat or meal, so they know they're doing something right. We recommend giving your pup a tasty treat straight after they go to the bathroom successfully, or when they make progress through their training. Use this in tandem with verbal praise so they really connect their good behaviour with the positive outcome. You can then slowly phase this out as they become fully toilet trained and old pro's. We recommend taking a pocketful of our yummy Salmon Traybake kibble along with you, to really get those tails wagging after every bathroom break. You can also treat them to a delicious Lamb Kebab meal once you're at home, and they'll be a potty trained success before you know it.
Once you've got your bathroom routine in place, consistency is key.
Repetition, repetition, repetition
Repetition is the best way for dog and pups to learn and understand new training. Keep your routine consistent, and try to take your dog outside to use the bathroom at similar times every day. It shouldn't be long before your pup is ready to go every day, and knows exactly what to do. Keep up the verbal commands, praise, and rewards, as they visit the same spot and use the toilet in it. Even if they're shyer or slower to grasp the process, stay patient and work with them at their pace. Dogs that feel more comfortable around you and their environment will feel a lot calmer about going to the bathroom, and will likely have less accidents, so try your best to remain encouraging along every step of the process.
Even dogs that have toilet trained for years are likely to have accidents every now and again, so keep your cool and work through this together.
Accidents happen
As much as we'd love toilet training to be smooth sailing, chances are it might be a messy process before you achieve bathroom success. Your pet is also likely to feel just as bad for having an accident in the house as you do, so don't scold them for slipping up. The best thing to do is clean up the area, and continue your routine and behaviour as normal. If your pup is consistently going in the house, try taking them outside more frequently and taking more time to connect with them through this process. Perhaps also reflect on stimulants or difficulties in their home or routine, as this could be causing them to go out of anxiety or stress.
Some dogs may also have food sensitivities, and may be going to the bathroom indoors due to stomach upset and urgency. Our Tilly & Ted meals are designed with your pets health in mind, and are super tasty whilst being kind on tummies. We also offer many grain free meals for more sensitive pups, so every pet can enjoy their mealtime to the fullest. We recommend our Fisherman's Pie for a chicken-less meal, or our Duck Terrine for a grain free delight.
If you want to find the paw-fect meal to reward your pooch, check out our full range of dog food to find tail wagging goodness, for dogs of every shape and size. From grain-free recipes, to hearty classics, we guarantee your pup will be feeling paw-some and eating like royalty.
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