How do you teach an adult dogs potty training?
Jezreel asked:
I recently adopted an adult dog from the animal shelter and she is NOT potty trained. My other two dogs are, and I’ve trained several puppies, but this is the first time I’ve gotten an adult dog that obviously has never been indoors. I’m asking for help, not suggestions to take her to a trainer. I’m trying to do this myself. Thanks 
Reply:
House Training for Dummies was a huge help to me when training our dog. It covers all the how-to’s. Really, any of the answers you get will only cover the basics – this book will cover it all.
The best thing would be to start with the basics of crate training, just like you would a puppy. Old dogs can learn new tricks. But you will need to be patient. It is harder to *unlearn* a bad habit than to create a new, good one.
You will need a crate big enough for her to stand up in and turn around in. Then you will need to help her become comfortable with the crate. The basic jist is that you keep the dog in the crate when you can’t watch it and pay adequate attention to the signs that it needs to go potty. So, if you are going to be in the shower – put the dog in the crate. You take the dog out at regular intervals for potty breaks (with rewards to help establish good habits) as well as food and water breaks and time for play and walking. The goal is to help the dog be able to hold it for longer, and be reliable when out of the crate.
Tips for training: Stay calm, and never, ever punish a dog for something it did when you were not watching it. (Delayed punishment will only create distrust between you and your pooch)
Good luck!
what is this song?
8 week old, German Shepherd puppies femalse, First come 1st get. puppies need to find homes tonight rehome fee $125
They are both loveable and will be Large dogs. potty training, crate training a plus! first shot done..
kid friendly.
8 week old, German Shepherd puppies femalse, First come 1st get. puppies need to find homes tonight rehome fee $150
They are both loveable and will be Large dogs. potty training, crate training a plus! first shot done..
kid friendly.
You tell me – if you had to go out to an outdoor outhouse everytime you had to potty, wouldn't you get sick of it, too?
Everydog can be potty trained. Most of the problems are because the owners are not training properly. Some come from the background of the puppy (BYB & PM puppies are harder to potty train).
More supervision
More potty breaks
Be reliable
No punishment
Lots of reward
More exercise
Some use this method. In fact, a lot of people do. But I have never had to do this and I have had several dogs.
The main thing is to get a cheap, but professional potty training guide, and follow their method.
There are guide books out there which will walk you through step by step to get this job done quickly.
You can find some for puppies at:
and dogs at:
Hope this helps!