Toilet Training

 

 

By Troy Wilson - Outback Dog Training Group

 

Toilet training our puppies requires us to have a flexible schedule we can adjust to suit our puppy's individual needs. We need to be consistent, alert, patient, calm and ready with lots of positive reinforcement. When our puppy has accidents, they will not be not the puppy's fault, they will be ours. We missed the signs, delayed a trip outside, overslept or our schedule needs adjusting. We should not correct or punish our puppy for accidents; we need to adjust our schedule, be more vigilant, and remain patient and calm - the end result will be a puppy who has good toilet habits, and a loving bond with us.

 

It often takes 4 - 6 months to get a puppy completely toilet trained, but some take up to a year. The adult size of the dog may be a factor; smaller breeds require more trips outside as their bladders are smaller. Another factor is the human on the end of the leash. It all depends on how consistent we are; this is often the determining factor in how quickly our puppy is toilet trained. Additionally, we may need to break old habits created in our puppy's previous home; this may extend the time we will need to toilet train completely.

 

Having said this, I aim to have a puppy toilet trained in the first 2 weeks; at this point my puppy will ask to go out and understand and follow a 'toilet command'. My puppy will still need to be taken out as per the (flexible) schedule I have arranged, but they will have a thorough understanding that toilet is strictly an outdoor activity.

 

There will be accidents; we need to adjust our schedule, be consistent, remain patient and calm, keep up the positive reinforcement and our puppy will learn.

When to Start Toilet Training

It is recommended by experts that toilet training begin between 12 - 16 weeks; this is because around this age your puppy will have enough control of both bladder and bowel movements to 'hold it'. I personally begin toilet training on Day 1; I don't wait. I don't use pee pads, newspaper, toweling or anything similar. I immediately begin teaching my puppy that all toileting is to be done outside.

 

This requires a lot of work and supervision on my behalf, as I need to be continually monitoring my puppy and taking them out to the toilet. In nearly all cases, however, within the first 2 weeks I have a puppy who can go on command, and tell me (as long as they are not overly distracted) when they need to go. Monitoring and supervision takes care of those situations, and a ritualistic schedule ensures my puppy isn't toileting in their crate.

 

My current oldest 2 dogs between them had a total of 2 accidents; one at 8 weeks, one at 9 weeks, both while they were playing and distracted. I missed the signs.

How to Toilet Train

Even before you get your puppy you should define the areas where you can contain them; don't allow your puppy to have free access of your house or rooms. One of the best ways to contain your puppy and maintain full supervision is to tether train and crate train your puppy when they cannot be supervised. Not only does this help with toilet training, it is the best way to teach your puppy the rules of the house, and correct and redirect any unwanted behaviours into wanted behaviours..

There are a few basics you will need to follow.

 

Feed your puppy on a schedule and stick to it. There should be scheduled meal times; whatever is not eaten in 10 minutes should be picked up and thrown away. Do not allow 'free grazing'. This is a good opportunity to begin to teach food manners; our 'Food Etiquette' video series is perfect for this. Always ensure your puppy has access to cool, clean, fresh water.

 

Follow a Schedule

 

 It is critically important that you follow a flexible schedule. You will need to take into account your puppy's age, breed, food and environmental factors as these may all have an impact on their toileting needs. Have set meal times. My dogs' last meal of the day, no matter their age, is 4.30 – 5.00 pm; this allows them to digest their dinner before bed. Obviously, they will still need to urinate; how often will depend on their age. This does not mean you should feed your puppy at this time; schedule feeds according to your own lifestyle.

 

Be prepared to lose sleep; being disciplined and losing a few hours sleep will speed up the toilet training process, making life easier and more pleasant for you and your puppy.

 

The Golden Rule of Time

 

The accepted rule for puppies holding their bladder is a maximum of 1 hour per month of age, so a 2 month old puppy should be able to hold on for 2 hours, a 3 month old for 3 hours and so on. But all puppies are different and many other factors come into play.

 

These are maximum times and are often a real stretch for a puppy; in the real world it is unlikely they will make that time unless they are crated and calm with little to no movement and manfully holding on. Not to mention extremely uncomfortable.

 

A better rule of thumb when your puppy is out of their crate and moving around would be a maximum of 30 - 45 minutes per month of age at 2 months old, 1.5 – 2 hours total at 3 months and an hour for each month from 4 months.

 

This rule of thumb is much more accurate, and will make organising your puppy's toilet training schedule much simpler.

 

When to Take Your Puppy to the Toilet

• When they wake up in the morning;

• 5 - 10 minutes after they eat or drink;

• When they get up from a nap;

• Before training;

• After training;

• Before they play;

• During play;

• After they play;

• Every hour;

• Whenever they look restless;

• Before you go out;

• Whenever they get excited;

• Whenever they greet somebody;

• When you come home;

• Just before the last person in the house goes to bed;

• Once or twice a night (set an alarm for 3 - 4 hours but be flexible. Each puppy is different).

Night Time Toileting

 

If you don't feed your puppy 2 hours before their bed time and take them out to the toilet right before you go to bed, they shouldn't have to go out too often during the night.

 

An 8 week old puppy should last 3 - 5 hours. Remember, this will depend on the individual puppy and environmental factors. You will still have to get up in the night; set an alarm for 3 - 4 hours and see how you go; adjust your schedule as needed.

 

Even if your puppy is asleep when you get up, take them out anyway. If your puppy needs to go before the allocated time, they will certainly attempt to let you know. If you hear them, immediately get up and take them out and adjust your schedule accordingly. If you fail to hear them, clean up your puppy and the mess; do not punish your puppy. Adjust your schedule; flexibility is key.

 

By 10 - 16 weeks, your puppy could be making up to 7 hours a night. This may happen earlier, it may happen later. Remember, each puppy is an individual; there are no hard-and-fast rules here.

 

The Training

 

This is how I toilet train all of my puppies. This process NEVER CHANGES, no matter what. This is also how I suggest you toilet train your puppy.

 

Put your puppy on a tether or a lead.

 

Ignore your puppy - no talking, no petting. Nothing...

 

Walk your puppy outside - go the same way, out through the same door every time.

 

Walk your puppy to the designated toilet spot. Make sure the area is clear and there are no toys or anything else in the area that your puppy might play with or that will distract them from the business at hand. Once there, and only then, issue a toilet command. I use 'LOOK SHARP'; use any term you want your puppy to associate with going to the toilet.

 

No further talking. None. Not one word.

 

Don’t allow your puppy to play, run or jump - NOTHING. Your puppy's only job right now is to go to the toilet. If they try to play, give a gentle double tug on the lead/tether to distract them. SAY NOTHING!

 

If your puppy goes to the toilet; mark, praise and reward as soon as they finish. Remember a number one is often followed by a second number one and/or a number two, so after your initial success and after you have marked, praised and rewarded your puppy, issue the toilet command again and wait.

If your puppy goes again - mark, praise and reward as soon as they finish. Once all toileting needs have been attended to, walk your puppy back inside without speaking, patting or making eye contact. Continue with everyday life until the next time.

 

If you want to take your puppy outside to play, come inside, wait 5 minutes, then go back outside to play. You want to clearly mark the distinction between toilet time and play time.

 

If after 5 - 10 minutes your puppy hasn't gone - without a word, a pat, a treat or eye contact, walk back inside and continue with everyday life. Try again in 10 minutes, repeating all of the above steps: continue following these steps until your puppy goes to the toilet. Then return to your normal toileting schedule.

 

If you come inside and the moment you do your puppy relieves themself, ensure you extend the time you are outside. Stay calm, consistent and focussed on the job at hand. Remember, punishment or anger will only serve to fill your puppy with fear and anxiety and worsen any toileting issues. This is a puppy; the mistakes are ours.

 

This is how it goes, every time, no matter what. If it’s 2 a.m. and you haven't slept for days, if it's raining, if it's snowing; it still goes the same way. If you are short on time, running late for an appointment or your favourite TV show is on; this is how it goes, nothing changes.

 

Stay calm. Don't hurry the process, don’t skip steps, don’t talk to your puppy other than issuing a toilet command when you reach the designated toilet area and again when you mark, praise and reward your puppy after the fact. No other comments, no other talking.

 

Remember: don’t take your puppy to the toilet and then let them off to play. Your puppy goes to the toilet, then immediately back inside. Wait 5 minutes, then take your puppy outside to play. You want to ensure play and toilet are two separate entities.

Crate Training

A crate can be a way to keep your puppy where you can supervise them and recognise the signs that they need to go to the toilet.

 

A few things to remember when using a crate:

• The crate should be big enough that your puppy can stand up, turn around and lie down, but not so big they can use one corner as a bathroom.

• If you are leaving your puppy in their crate make sure they have fresh water in a spill-proof container.

• If you aren't going to be home while you are toilet training your puppy, try to arrange for someone else to come in and give them a break from the crate, such as a neighbour, family member, friend or a local dog walker.

• If your puppy is messing in their crate you may need a new strategy; keeping your puppy crated when they repeatedly mess their crate isn't going to work. There are a number of reasons why your puppy may be doing this; they may be too young to 'hold on', they may have bad habits carried over from where they lived previously, they are not getting out enough, or they may have a medical problem.

Warning Signs

Your puppy will let you know when they need to go out; the signs, however, may be subtle. Your puppy may whine, circle, sniff around, seem restless, anxious or bark if they are in their crate or tethered. If your puppy is loose, they may exhibit any or all of these behaviours, as well as barking or scratching at the door or floor. Do not ignore these signs, take your puppy out straight away.

Accidents Will Happen

While our puppy grows and learns, they will most likely have accidents. It may take as long as 12 months before all accidents are eliminated. Why? Because shit happens. There are many things that can cause a puppy to have an accident, from changes in their environment to incomplete toilet training.

 

When our puppy has an accident; we need to remain calm and keep up the training. Remember: all accidents, all missed signs are our fault; we failed our puppy. It is us who need to learn, it is us who need to do better. We shouldn't blame our puppy.

 

If there are repeated frequent accidents, we need to ensure our puppy is vet-checked to rule out any underlying medical issues.

Do's and Don’ts

• Do not restrict your puppy's water intake to make life easier for yourself. This is a growing trend that has resulted in puppies suffering from dehydration. In some cases, puppies have died.

• Do not punish your puppy for accidents; they can't help it.

• If you 'catch them in the act' clap loudly to interrupt and let them know the behaviour is unacceptable, then get them outside as quickly as possible to finish. Mark, praise and treat once they are done.

• If you find 'evidence' of an accident, but don't see it happen, do not yell or rub your puppy's nose in their mess. Puppies do not comprehend 'after the fact' punishment.

• Keeping your puppy outside longer when they go may help reduce accidents; it can take a little time to get things going.

• When cleaning up accidents, do not use an ammonia-based cleaner. Use an enzymatic one to get rid of any smells that may encourage your puppy to mess there again.