Be patient - it will pay off!

We used a combination of few tactics to potty train Brioche - (1) crate training, (2) no potty pads, (3) rewarding for potty outside, and (4) ringing a bell by the door. There are other techniques, but this is what we did to get Brioche potty trained when he was about 4 months old.

Before we go into each of the tactics, here are some general potty training tips and tricks:

• Create a log to track your dog’s pee and poo schedule. You will want to know approximately when the next elimination might be.

• Only use positive reinforcement to reward your puppy or dog for going outside (or on the pee pad if you choose to use them).

• Never punish your dog for having accidents in the house - this only scares them and they will start hiding their accidents. They will definitely have accidents!

• Have a regular feeding schedule and take away food between meals. Puppies and dogs like to have routines, and it is easier to predict when they might have to go.

• General rule of thumb - your pup can hold its bladder for as many hours as it is in months old plus one. So, if your puppy is 3 months old, then it can potentially hold its bladder for 4 hours.

• Open the house up slowly. Start the puppy in a small area of the house to keep an eye on them, using a play pen or baby gates to block off rooms. We blocked off the kitchen to prevent eating dangerous items such as onions, avocado, and more. More exhaustive list here.

• Stain and odor eliminator are needed to clean up accidents - your puppy will have at least a few accidents in its lifetime. We had great experiences with Rocco & Roxie Stain and Odor Eliminator.

1. Crate Train

Dogs are den animals - this is why you see them hiding under coffee tables, couches, or beds. Like many animals, dogs do not want to pee in their den. So, if they are crate trained, they will not pee inside or in their crate unless they truly have to!

This has seriously changed our life (especially when he was having diarrhea as a 3 month old). Head over to our Crate Training Guide for instructions!

2. Do not use potty pads

All trainers and other dog owners we spoke to said to not use potty pads.

Why you should not use potty pads:

• First, you have to get the pup to pee/poo on it. Then, you have to keep the dirty one so they learn they are supposed to do their business there.

• It is difficult for pups and dogs to transition from going inside to outside because they were taught and rewarded for going on the pad.

• They might confuse carpet and blankets for pee pee pads.

• It is not environmental friendly.

• Pup might chew and eat the pad.

Exception to use potty pads

• If you plan to keep your dog indoors, due to health reasons or personal preferences

 3. Potty Location & Reward

Take your dog out after naps, meals, and playtime.

Signs of need to pee/poo are circling, sniffing, and squatting - the last step before they go.

Steps:

• Take your dog to the same spot for pee and poo

• Wait up to 15 minutes for your dog to go

• Reward when your dog goes with high praise and treats

• Attach a cue word, such as “potty” and “make”

• Initially, go back inside the home when they have completed the pee/poo. This way, they associate in going outside with peeing and pooping. Once they get the hang of it, transition to peeing and pooping while on walks.

4. Ringing a bell to go potty

Optional step, but this really helps your dog communicate they want to go outside when they are not vocal. I highly suggest those who live in apartments to try this. Steps:

1. Train pup to “touch” your hand

2. Train pup to “touch” the bell just lying on the ground

3. Hang the bell by the door, and when you take your pup outside, train pup to “touch” the bell

Remember, only take your pup out to pee/poo initially in the same spot. You don’t want the pup to think “oh, ringing the bell means go outside for a walk”. You want your pup to think “oh, ringing the bell means I have to go outside to pee/poo”.

Want to take the bell away? If you want, try taking it away when your dog can consistently hold it and go when you take it out for walks. We did this when he turned 6 months, and has not seen any regression.