How to Train Your Dog to Not Pee in the House
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Introduction
Bringing home a new dog is tons of fun! But those first few weeks can be quite the hassle. Both you and your pup have to get used to life with each other. For most puppies, this means learning where they should – and should – not pee!
You'll lose the rose-colored glasses of puppyhood fast if your house starts to smell like a kennel. Some dogs just don't know where they are supposed “go.” Others are trying to claim various possessions by sprinkling them with their signature scent. Either way, you're probably going to want your pooch to not pee in your house.
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Defining Tasks
Teaching canines to only pee outside is called “housebreaking.” It's pretty standard for puppies to learn this hygienic habit, but sometimes an older dog will have to learn it too. This is often the case of rescue dogs, or dogs who have lived their entire life outdoors.
The goal is to help your four-legged friend understand that peeing should only happen when the dog is out of the house. Eventually, you can even train your dog to pee on command! But you've got to crawl before you run. Most pups will need to start at the very beginning of housebreaking. And the whole process may take several months to perfect!
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Getting Started
To help you on your puppy-potty-training journey, you're going to need a few things. Below are a few essentials to help get the job done.
- Treats: Every time your dog piddles in the right spot, you'll want to give her lots of treats, so stock up!
- Cleaning Supplies: News flash – your dog is going to make some messes. It may seem like every time you come home there is a puddle waiting for you. But the right cleaning supplies can help with the problem. Get something that is enzyme based so that no scent remains.
- Patience: It's easy to get frustrated when you feel like there isn't any progress. But getting angry will only confuse your pupper. Keep a cool head and only scold your dog if you catch her in the act.
It's important to mention that in rare cases, your pooch might be peeing inside because of a health problem. Take the dog in for a check-up to be sure all is well.
Following are some of the best tried and true ways to teach your dog to keep the urine on the grass and off of the carpets. No matter which one you choose, remember that consistency is key!
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The Scheduled Appointments Method
Most Recommended
29 Votes
Most Recommended
29 Votes
Rise and shine
Each and every day, as soon as your pup wakes up, take him out (even if there's still sleep in your eyes)!
Establish routine
Feed him breakfast at the same time each morning. Also provide a bowl of water. Bring him back outside between 5 and 30 minutes after breakfast.
Watch and walk
Watch throughout the day for when your pooch grabs a drink. Make sure to head right back out there 5–30 minutes after water intake.
Evening drill
Serve dinner at the same time each night. Let the dog out once again shortly after dinner. Do not put out bowls of water after dinner time to lower the chance of a bed time accident.
The Scent-Free Method
Effective
12 Votes
Effective
12 Votes
Prepare
Go out and buy a cleaner made especially for dog urine. Regular cleaner just won't get the smells out. Even if you can't tell there was pee on the floor, your dog's amazing nose can still probably pick it up.
Clean promptly
If at all possible, do not let messes sit! They will soak deeper into your floor the longer they are left, becoming harder and harder to clean.
Indicate a good spot
If using a cloth towel to clean up, place the soiled one outside where you'd like your fur buddy to go instead.
Neutralize
Spray the site of the accident with the cleaner. Be generous, you don't want your dog getting confused by the smell of his own golden fluids and deciding that your living room is his toilet. Read the instructions! Some cleaners require you to let them sit for a while before you sop them up. Whatever the directions are, follow them all, or you might as well not bother.
The Positive Tinkling Method
Least Recommended
10 Votes
Least Recommended
10 Votes
Be vigilant
From the moment your pooch wakes up until they rest their eyes at night, watch them! If this means taking off a few days of work, try to arrange it if at all possible.
Run!
Every time the pup starts to sniff around or circle, head on out – and fast!
Celebrate!
If you guys make it out in time and your fur-baby succeeds, praise him like crazy! Even dish out a few treats so the dog associates outside peeing with a good time.
Be understanding
Don't get mad if you find a smelly yellow puddle on your floor. If the dog has already peed, it's too late to correct him.
Introduce a command
When your dog starts to “go” outside more consistently, start to give a command like “do your business” or “potty time” each time the dog exits. This way the pooch will be able to eliminate on command, which is super awesome for walks and road trips!
Written by Abby Clark
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 09/20/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Fendi
pitbull
Two Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
How can I get him to use the restroom on training pads
Nov. 7, 2023
Fendi's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello, I recommend using the Exercise Pen method from the article I have linked below. This method can be used with a doggie litter box, pee pads, or disposable real grass pads. If you plan to train him to use the potty outside when older, I recommend using disposable real grass pads not pee pads for this, so he isn't getting into the habit of peeing on fabric and is getting used to the texture and scent of grass. I would also not phase out the exercise pen but go straight from the pen being up with the grass pad inside to taking pup potty outside, until you don't need the indoor potty anymore and can remove it all at once when he is reliable pottying outside. Exercise pen method: https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Nov. 29, 2023
Jazzy
Sheba Inu
Ten Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Why would my pup choose to pee on my grandson's bed. She has done this twice now.
Sept. 19, 2023
Jazzy's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello, If this is a completely new behavior it could be one of a couple of things. 1.Your dog doesn't respect your grandson, and viewing similar to another dog, they are claiming the space where your grandson's scent is. 2. If your grandson had an accident in the bed and the sheets smell like his accident, then the scent of that can encourage your dog to pee over it to cover that scent...Even if the bedding was washed, it might still need to be washed with something that contains enzymes to remove the smell to the level of a dog's sensitive nose. 3. If the dog sleeps with your grandson and the dog is waking up in the middle of the night, he might have had an accident there because he simply needed to pee and the bed was absorbent so an easy choice. Once this happens once, even if the initial time was an accident, the smell of a previous accident and/or lack of supervision at night can cause it to become a recurring thing. Often the dog will need to sleep in a crate or exercise pen at night instead for a while to remedy this issue. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Oct. 9, 2023