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How To Potty Train An Older Dog

  • 31/05/2020

Housebreaking your adult dog may sound like a lot more work than housetraining a puppy.

Happily, that’s not always the case. Sometimes training an older dog is actually easier because he typically has a longer attention span than a puppy. .

There are a few methods you can use but first you’ll want to figure out why your dog is doing his business indoors.

Some older dogs like to mark their territory. This is called soiling, and your dog can have specific spots in your house he prefers.

By knowing the place, you can tell why your dog is doing it. Some dogs may urinate when they are happy, others when they are scared. It’s important to find the reason first and work with it.

How To Potty Train An Older Dog

1. Set Up A Crate

The best way to housebreak a dog is to crate him when you can’t supervise him. Make sure the crate you choose is big enough for your dog, but not so big that he feels like he can go to the bathroom in it. Make sure he doesn’t spend too much time without food, water, and of course, potty breaks.

2. Properly Clean Up Accidents

It’s vital to clean everything thoroughly because the smells remaining may give your dog a signal that it’s ok to urinate there. Get a powerful cleaning solution and make sure you reach all the spots.

3. Designate A “Potty Spot”

Your dog needs to be able to take care of his needs when you are away, and for that, he needs a spot to do so. You can install dog pads and help him understand that he is allowed to pee there.

4. Take Him Out Often

Even though you’re proofing the house, you still need to take your dog out frequently. Set a schedule and stick to it. He’ll soon learn that you take him out whenever he needs to go.

Be flexible with your schedule, though. If your dog is pacing, sniffing at the door, or “asking” you to go out with him even if it’s not his usual potty break, don’t ignore it.

5. Don’t Confine Him After Your Get Back Inside

This is a very important step. If you take your dog to his crate the moment you enter the house he will start associating the two actions. Because of this, he may not want to go out again, and you will never put an end to him urinating in the house.

Whatever you do, make sure your dog is happy at all times. It would be best to track his potty patterns and know when you really need to take him out.

It’s really not hard to potty train an older dog, and with patience and consistency, your dog will learn the rules in no time.

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