7 Steps to Potty Training Older Dogs
Potty training older dogs can be a bit of a challenge.
But where some like getting puppies for being so huggable and cute and all, others rather prefer an adult dog.
An older dog usually has matured more and maybe makes for better companionship too.
They are after all man's best friend.
Since the common thinking goes that you can't teach new tricks to an old dog, some people hesitate getting and training an older dog, particularly when it comes to potty training.
Good thing that this popular notion isn't all true.
Training older dogs to go potty is quite possible if you remember some important issues.
Here are 7 Steps to potty training older dogs: 1.
Since it is so much easier to teach an adult dog something you want them to DO, rather than NOT DO, focus your potty training for your older dog on going outside, instead of going inside the house.
It will be easier to learn new good behavior instead of having to unlearn old bad behavior, in case for example that your dog is used to going inside.
2.
In order for your dog to figure out the new "right" spot to go about his business, pick a fixed spot, where you want it to go, like a small corner in the yard.
Consistency helps your dog's memory and forms a new habit.
It'll learn faster if it goes to the same spot again and again.
Also, no cleaning up that particular spot too much in the beginning helps your dog to learn to go specifically there when he needs to go.
3.
As to not confuse your dog, always use the same words when talking about going potty.
When you use different phrases for the same thing the learning process will be much longer and more frustrating.
If you use a single phrase over and over, it'll become a command and foments the behavior you want to achieve.
4.
Should there be a potty accident inside, remove every trace of it.
Since dogs have a very keen sense of smell, thus the scent of urine or excrement inside the house may make it think, this is where it should go potty.
Use a cleaning solution with an odor eliminating effect to eradicate every trace of smell stuck in your carpets and floors.
5.
Your dog's sleeping area should be as tight as you can comfortably make it.
Dog won't go potty in their sleeping corner and by keeping the space confined enough for the dog to sleep and turn about; there won't be any space to go potty.
It's important that you take the dog to the designated potty spot outside every morning, when it wakes up, so it can go about its business where it ought to.
6.
To reduce the risk of midnight or early morning accidents it's necessary to reduce the amount of food and water your dog consumes before going to sleep.
If the dog is filled with food and water its capacity to control the call of nature may be diminished.
7.
Provide easy access to the outdoor area for your dog, through either a doggie door or by leaving the back to open.
If that's not a good idea where you live install a bell that your dog can reach.
Every time the dog rings the bell take him outside.
This way it'll learn that ringing the bell is the signal to go out.
So when people say that you can't teach a new trick to an older dog, they may just be to lazy to work on it.
Potty training older dogs is quite possible if you are patient and use these tips.
But where some like getting puppies for being so huggable and cute and all, others rather prefer an adult dog.
An older dog usually has matured more and maybe makes for better companionship too.
They are after all man's best friend.
Since the common thinking goes that you can't teach new tricks to an old dog, some people hesitate getting and training an older dog, particularly when it comes to potty training.
Good thing that this popular notion isn't all true.
Training older dogs to go potty is quite possible if you remember some important issues.
Here are 7 Steps to potty training older dogs: 1.
Since it is so much easier to teach an adult dog something you want them to DO, rather than NOT DO, focus your potty training for your older dog on going outside, instead of going inside the house.
It will be easier to learn new good behavior instead of having to unlearn old bad behavior, in case for example that your dog is used to going inside.
2.
In order for your dog to figure out the new "right" spot to go about his business, pick a fixed spot, where you want it to go, like a small corner in the yard.
Consistency helps your dog's memory and forms a new habit.
It'll learn faster if it goes to the same spot again and again.
Also, no cleaning up that particular spot too much in the beginning helps your dog to learn to go specifically there when he needs to go.
3.
As to not confuse your dog, always use the same words when talking about going potty.
When you use different phrases for the same thing the learning process will be much longer and more frustrating.
If you use a single phrase over and over, it'll become a command and foments the behavior you want to achieve.
4.
Should there be a potty accident inside, remove every trace of it.
Since dogs have a very keen sense of smell, thus the scent of urine or excrement inside the house may make it think, this is where it should go potty.
Use a cleaning solution with an odor eliminating effect to eradicate every trace of smell stuck in your carpets and floors.
5.
Your dog's sleeping area should be as tight as you can comfortably make it.
Dog won't go potty in their sleeping corner and by keeping the space confined enough for the dog to sleep and turn about; there won't be any space to go potty.
It's important that you take the dog to the designated potty spot outside every morning, when it wakes up, so it can go about its business where it ought to.
6.
To reduce the risk of midnight or early morning accidents it's necessary to reduce the amount of food and water your dog consumes before going to sleep.
If the dog is filled with food and water its capacity to control the call of nature may be diminished.
7.
Provide easy access to the outdoor area for your dog, through either a doggie door or by leaving the back to open.
If that's not a good idea where you live install a bell that your dog can reach.
Every time the dog rings the bell take him outside.
This way it'll learn that ringing the bell is the signal to go out.
So when people say that you can't teach a new trick to an older dog, they may just be to lazy to work on it.
Potty training older dogs is quite possible if you are patient and use these tips.
