(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Show (Photo Credit: Shutterstock) Many adult rescue dogs come with imperfect housetraining skills – or none at all – and even dogs who were potty trained in their previous homes sometimes need a refresher course if they didn’t get regular walks at the shelter. The good news is it’s fairly easy to teach an old dog this new trick. In fact, adult dogs are usually easier and faster to housetrain than puppies, especially if you use a crate. The key to rock-solid potty training is to start the day your dog comes home. If you stick closely to the following routine, you should be able to housetrain an adult dog within a week or less — though some pups need a bit more patience, and that’s okay, too. Take Time Off To Housetrain Your Dog ProperlyWhen you first bring home your adult dog, they’ll need to go out for midday bathroom breaks. If you have work, school, or other obligations that prevent you from being able to take your dog for a midday potty break, hire a dog walker. The first week or so is crucial in setting a new routine for your dog, and you want to avoid as many preventable indoor accidents as possible. If hiring a dog walker is not in your budget, ask a friend or neighbor to let out your dog in exchange for another service or favor. Start Using A Crate The Day You Bring Them Home(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Crate training is the easiest way to teach a dog bladder and bowel control because dogs don’t like to soil their sleeping and eating areas. The crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down in comfortably, but no bigger. If it’s too spacious, your dog may feel like they can eliminate in one corner and still keep their living space clean. Keep the crate in a high-traffic part of the house, so your dog won’t feel isolated. Also make sure to give your dog lots of time outside the crate for exercise, training, and just hanging out and bonding with you. If you keep them in their crate too long, they’ll feel trapped and frustrated. If you’re worried about putting your dog in a crate, keep in mind that, with adult dogs, you won’t have to use it very long – maybe as few as three days – before they’re fully housetrained. Most dogs actually enjoy having a safe, closed-off space for themselves to rest and recharge, so don’t worry too much about them feeling confined. They may even prefer to lie down there during the day, even when they no longer have to. How To Streamline Housetraining Adult DogsWhen using a crate to housetrain your dog, follow these guidelines to ensure they don’t suffer from anxiety or eliminate in their crate. These steps will also help your dog understand what you want – for them to eliminate outside – and that they’ll stick to it.
Give Your Dog At Least Six Bathroom Breaks Daily(Picture Credit: Getty Images) You won’t always have to give your dog as many opportunities to use the bathroom, but until you have finished housetraining, you need to give your dog as many opportunities as possible to eliminate outside. Aim to take out your dog the first thing in the morning, before you leave for the day, twice during the day, once after dinner, and one more time before going to bed. Once you know they’ve got it, you can move them to four bathroom breaks a day — the standard for adult dogs. Also, take your dog for a walk or give them some playtime as a bonus reward. If they always come straight back inside after eliminating, they’ll learn to hold it to prolong their time outdoors. What Cleaning Products To Use In Case Your Dog Has An AccidentThere will inevitably be an accident here or there while housetraining, no matter how closely you stick to a training routine. In the instance your dog has an accident inside, stick to these rules when picking out a cleaning product.
Stick with your training routine, and your adult dog should be doing their business where they’re supposed to in no time. Good luck! Have you ever housetrained an adult dog? What tips would you recommend for new dog parents? Let us know in the comments below! Categories: Dog Training |