Training a puppy or adult dog at home may not seem like an easy job, but almost any dog can actually be trained to wait at the door and poop outside instead of inside. Make a schedule for feeding your dog and taking him outside. Then, reward your dog with treats and praise when he poops at a designated location outside the house. When he's soiling the house, just clean up the mess and stick to a routine because if you punish him, it will only make him fear you. Patience and a good sense of humor are all you need to help your dog adapt to life as a pet.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Establishing a Routine
Step 1. Take your dog outside often
This is the most important thing you can do to teach your dog to poop outside. While it may seem overwhelming, try to take him outside as often as possible, about every half hour. Stick to a schedule and try not to miss even the designated “out time” as your dog will learn to associate this outing with a bowel movement.
If you're training a puppy, you'll need to take him outside more often. A puppy's bladder is still small and physically unable to hold its urine for long periods of time
Step 2. Create a feeding schedule for your dog
Feed your dog at the same time in the morning and evening, then wait 20 to 30 minutes before taking him outside. Having a feeding schedule will make it easier to predict when your dog needs to go to the bathroom, making training at home easier.
Puppies need to be fed three times a day. If you have puppies, schedule regular feedings as well. Again, puppies should be given more opportunities to go outside because their bladders are smaller
Step 3. Try to learn to interpret the signs that your dog should walk
The signs include walking in stiff circles, sniffing the floor as if he was looking for a place to go, holding his tail in a funny position, and so on. If your dog is showing signs that he needs to go to the bathroom, take him outside right away, even if it's not the time to go outside. Include a verbal cue, such as saying, “out” before you take him outside. Later, you'll be able to ask him if he needs to go outside, just by saying that word.
When you first train your dog to go outside, you are actually teaching him that if he feels that urge, it means it's time to get outside. Every time your dog goes outside with good results, the idea that throw = outdoors is confirmed
Remember to take your dog outside for 20 to 30 minutes after every meal and water because he may have to go to the bathroom.
Step 4. Set one specific location outside
Choose a backyard, or if you don't have one, somewhere near a patch of grass. Take your dog to the same location every time you go outside. Dogs are creatures that must be used to. You can help your dog feel comfortable and less anxious if you choose a suitable location for him as his “washroom” whenever he goes outside. Use verbal cues like, “let's go pee” when you get to the location. He will learn to associate the cue with the location.
Follow the rules to clean up pet droppings in your town. If you have no choice but to let your dog use a public area as a place to defecate, you will need to bring a bag so you can pick up the litter and place it in the bag
Step 5. Supervise the dog during home training
When you first bring your dog or puppy home, plan to spend a lot of time watching your pet to make sure he doesn't defecate in the house. This supervision period is a must because it will teach the dog to quickly associate the urge to pee or defecate with going outside. Interception of a dog or puppy before it enters the house is a great way to provide a quick home training.
If you can't stay home all day to watch your dog, you will need to get someone to come and take the dog out several times a day. Make sure the person knows when to take your dog to a designated location
Step 6. Place your dog in the crate at night when you are not around
If you allow your dog or puppy to roam freely in the house at night, he will inevitably end up soiling the floor. Placing your dog in a comfortable kennel at night and when you are away from him will reduce the chances of him contaminating your home. Dogs don't like to soil their cages, so your dog will try to wait until he can go outside to relieve himself.
Don't leave your dog in the crate too long before you take him outside. If you wait too long, he will have no other choice but to pee in his cage. Dogs also need to move and play a lot so you should never leave them in the crate for more than a few hours at a time or overnight
Notes:
Dogs should think of their crate as a safe place and enjoy spending time there. Placing a dog in a kennel is not intended as a form of punishment. Never punish your dog by locking him in a crate because he will associate the crate with fear, not comfort.
Step 7. Clean the dirt immediately
If your dog is pooping in the house (and he certainly will), clean the poop immediately with a cleaning liquid to get rid of the smell. If your dog smells poop in a certain location, he will assume that location is his place to go to the bathroom.
Don't punish your dog for urinating in the house. Just clean it up and stick to the schedule you created
Part 2 of 3: Rewarding Dogs for Good Behavior
Step 1. Give your dog treats and praise every time he succeeds in his outdoor routine
Dogs learn best when they receive positive reinforcement and they quickly learn the best way to get it. Whenever your dog is able to defecate in a designated location, reward him with a small treat, lots of praise, and a pet on the head.
You can, of course, reward your dog for other things, like learning how to sit and calm down. All good behavior should be rewarded
Tip:
Be consistent when it comes to gifting your dog. Do that every time he pees in the right location.
Step 2. Time the gift giving appropriately
If you're giving your dog special treatment because he's pooping in his own location, give him treats and praise right after he's finished. Don't give it too soon or too slowly because he won't associate the treatment with urinating in the correct location.
Step 3. Consider using a bell or chimes to help with training
There are people who have had success using the bell method instead of the snack. When your dog poops in its own location, you ring a fun-sounding bell or chime as part of the treat for him. The dog will wait for the sound of the bell which should only be used in this particular situation.
The downside of this method is that eventually you will no longer use the bell or bell every time your dog goes to the bathroom. When this method is first discontinued, the dog may be confused
Step 4. Keep your voice and demeanor light and friendly
Whenever you take your dog to the bathroom or talk about it, keep your voice light and pleasant. Never raise your voice or use a threatening tone as your dog will begin to associate his bodily functions with punishment and fear. If your dog is littering the house, it's okay to leave the compliment, but don't yell at him or embarrass him.
Be consistent with your use of verbal cues, such as “out”, “poop”, or “smart dog.” The repetition of these words along with the action and the environment will reinforce the location where your dog is pooping
Step 5. Never punish a dog for littering the house
Dogs don't respond well to punishment. It will frighten them and, instead of learning to be nice to you, they learn to fear you. Never yell, hit, or do anything that might scare your dog.
Don't rub your dog's face in the droppings. Contrary to popular belief, this does not teach a dog not to defecate in the house. The dog will not understand what you are doing and in the end you will only frighten him
Part 3 of 3: Paper Dog Training in Apartments
Step 1. Choose a location in a corner that is easy for your dog to reach
If you live in a tall building, you won't be able to take your dog outside every time he needs to go to the bathroom. Choose a location in your apartment that is not located right in the center of where you live, but also one that your dog can easily reach at any time. A corner in the laundry room or kitchen is sufficient. Choose a location with wood or vinyl floors, not carpeted ones.
Step 2. Cover the selected locations with newsprint or training pads
Newsprint is an inexpensive material that you can use as a litter mat for your dog. Absorbent training mats are also available at pet stores. Choose the most suitable option for your household.
You can also use a dog litter tray. If you're also taking your dog outside to relieve himself, consider filling the tray with dirt. In this way, the dog will learn that he is allowed to urinate outside as well as inside
Notes:
Keep in mind that your dog may be in the habit of just pooping on newsprint, if that's all you have available.
Step 3. Bring your dog to his location on a regular schedule
Take your dog to the litter on a strict schedule, just as you would if you were training your dog to an outdoor location. Frequently lead him to the mat throughout the day and whenever he shows signs of needing to go to the bathroom.
Step 4. Change the base frequently, but leave a small spot with dried urine there
The smell of urine will help your dog remember that the mat is a place to pee. Get rid of the litter immediately, but leave a piece of newsprint or a small piece of litter with urine on a clean mat so your dog will naturally know where to go.
Step 5. Reward your dog for coming to his location
Every time he manages to come to the pedestal, reward him with treats, petting and compliments. He will eventually associate peeing on the bed with positive feelings, and in no time he will start going there without your help.
Tips
- Start training your dog as soon as possible.
- Keep in mind that dogs can still wet the bed or defecate, this is unavoidable. Your dog learns what to expect from it and can only be expected to "hold it" for that long. Very young puppies in particular have very limited self-control about when they have to go to the bathroom.
- If you have to leave your puppy for eight hours at a time, then he will wet the bed. You'll need to pay someone to take it for a walk or lock the puppy somewhere where the carpet won't spoil if it gets dirty and is easy to clean.
- If your dog wets the bed or defecates on a hard floor, clean the litter with a paper towel, then with a disinfectant wipe. This can usually prevent the dog from returning to its “fixed location” because they can't find it (no scent!).
Warning
- A quick trip outside to relieve your dog is not a substitute for exercise or a walk. Make sure you get your dog to exercise regularly.
- A guilty face is not a sign that your dog understands that what he is doing is wrong. Your dog is confused because you are angry. Even if your dog does attribute your angry behavior to dirt on the floor, it may backfire. Your dog may conclude that you don't want to see him poop at all and go so far as to hide it from you, making home training even more difficult.
- Don't try to punish your dog for wetting the bed. Yelling, hitting, and rubbing a dog's nose in its feces will not teach the dog anything useful. Unless your dog is caught red-handed, he won't understand why you're so upset.
