How to Train Your Dog to Poop on Newspaper

How to Train Your Dog to Poop on Newspaper
Medium difficulty iconMedium
Time icon1-6 Weeks
General training category iconGeneral

Introduction

In a perfect world, every dog would have easy access to an outdoor yard in order to relieve himself. However, even those dogs lucky enough to live in such a home, still have to contend with rain, snow, and ice when they toilet outside in all weathers. Since this isn't a perfect world, one solution can be to teach a small dog to poop on newspaper. 

Also, pooping on newspaper is one solution for the high rise doggy, living in an apartment block where getting outside just isn't practical. Alternatively, a senior citizen or a disabled person may find the convenience of a dog pooping on paper enables them to keep a dog, whereas the challenge of getting a canine companion outside might otherwise prevent this. 

Whatever the reason, learning to poop on newspaper is a transferable skill, because the dog can be taught at a later date to go on a different surface or an alternative location. 

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Defining Tasks

Teaching a dog to toilet on newspaper is part of house breaking. You may choose to teach this skill to a new puppy as his first step in being clean in the house or to an adult dog when access to outdoors is not practical.

In a young dog, you need to be aware of the limitations of the puppy's body, since he may yet have to learn bowel control and how to hang on. For an adult dog, bowel control isn't so much of a problem, and you may wish to add the refinement of teaching the dog to go on command. Again, this is super-useful when time is short and you need the dog to 'perform' ahead of your leaving for work or settling down for the night. 

Whatever your need or reason for teaching a dog to poop on newspaper, know that success depends on how clearly and consistently you get the message across to the dog. If he is struggling and things aren't going well, then take a close look at what you're doing to see how you can be more consistent. 

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Getting Started

Teaching a dog to poop on newspaper is not difficult, but does require considerable time and dedication. As well as the basic materials, you'll need to able to spend time supervising the dog so that you are there to praise him at the appropriate moment. 

You will need a lot of newspaper (depending on the size of the room and your puppy!) so ask neighbors to save up their papers for you. 

  • Newspaper...and plenty of it!
  • A small room to confine the dog to
  • A crate
  • Treats
  • A treat bag you can wear on your belt 
  • A collar and leash or longline
  • Plenty of time and patience

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The Paper a Room Method

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1

Understand the idea

Puppies have an inbuilt instinct not to soil their nest or near where they eat and drink. By confining the puppy to a room and papering the floor with newspaper, the puppy will pick a toilet spot. You can then reward the puppy for using this spot and slowly remove the surrounding newspaper. Eventually, the puppy learns that pooping on paper is what's required of him.

2

Set up a room as a puppy den

Choose a small room with an easily washed floor. A small washroom or laundry room is ideal. Cover the floor in the newspaper. Now set up the puppy's bed and toys in one corner, with food and water bowls in the other. Introduce the puppy and make sure he is comfortable and settled.

3

Reward pooping on paper

When the dog empties his bowel (or indeed pees) praise and reward him. This helps him understand that toileting on the paper is OK. Keep the room clean by immediately removing soiled paper and replacing it with fresh sheets of newspaper.

4

Watch for a favorite toilet spot

The puppy will get into the habit of toileting in one area, away from his bed, food, and water. Once he is regularly going to this area, start removing sheets of newspaper from the 'clean' area around it. The idea is to leave sufficient newspaper for the puppy to use his chosen spot. Continue to praise and reward the puppy when he uses the spot.

5

Add a cue word

Now the puppy has learned where to go, start adding a cue word as a command. This will give you some control over when the puppy goes, which can save you a lot of waiting around. Good words to choose include "Toilet time" or "Get busy." As the puppy squats to poop, say the cue word in a happy voice, and then reward him when the task is complete. This builds a link between "Get busy", and the relief of an empty bowel.

6

Increase the puppy's freedom

Once the puppy is regularly targeting a smaller area of newspaper, you can allow him to roam other rooms. Be constantly alert for signs the puppy may need to go to the toilet, and pop him straight back onto the newspaper and use the cue word. Reward him when he does the job.

The Potty Training Method

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Understand the idea

This method works with the puppy's natural urge to toilet, in order to maximize the opportunity to praise and reward the puppy when he goes. In turn, the puppy learns he gets a treat when he poops, which has him saving up his bodily functions to 'spend' it on command for a treat.

2

Supervise the puppy

Let the puppy play in one or two rooms, so that you can watch him at all times. It can be helpful to keep pup on a collar and leash, attached to your wrist so that you know where he is. At the first signs of sniffing or sidling up to furniture, which could indicate he wants to toilet, pop him onto the designated spot covered with newspaper.

3

Crate train the puppy

Teach the puppy to be happy confined in a crate, by hiding tasty treats inside the crate. When you aren't able to be present to supervise the puppy, confine him in the crate so that he doesn't toilet where he shouldn't, which can lead to bad habits.

4

Give the pup plenty of opportunity to poop on paper

By regularly putting the pup onto the newspaper, he will eventually poop there. When this happens, you praise the pup (in a happy voice, but not so excited that it stops him pooping) and then give a tasty treat reward. Increase your chances of success by putting a young pup onto the newspaper every half an hour. In addition, place him there after each meal, as eating stimulates bowel movements. Also, when he's just woken or has spent time in the crate, offer him a newspaper toilet break.

5

Add a cue word

When the penny has dropped and the dog is looking to toilet on the paper, start adding a cue word such as "Get busy" or "Toilet time." When the puppy links the cue word to the act and understands it earns a reward, it is an incentive to improve his bowel control. In addition, he will learn to poop on command, with is a helpful skill for a dog to have.

The What NOT to To Do Method

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Don't free feed

A disadvantage of free-feeding is that makes it more difficult to predict when the puppy needs to go to the bathroom. Instead, make things easier for yourself by feeding at set meal times. The puppy should then need to toilet a short time later, making it easier to pop the pup on paper and score a successful poop.

2

Never punish the puppy

When the puppy gets things wrong and goes where he shouldn't, never punish him. Shouting or smacking the puppy will only make him wary of you, as he won't link the punishment to the crime (pooping in the wrong place.) The outcome is that he'll be more likely to sneak off somewhere to toilet, rather than go in front of you, which adds difficulty to paper training your pup.

3

Don't be inconsistent

The puppy will become confused if you don't consistently apply the rules. Unfortunately for you, this does mean dedicating time to watching the pup, so that you can spot the signs of needing to toilet. If you allow the puppy to free range and he toilets where ever he wants, it will take longer to make the link to a specific toilet spot (the newspaper.)

4

Don't leave the dog unsupervised while out of the crate

When using the toilet training method, don't leave the dog unsupervised when out of the crate. This would allow him to squat where he wanted. The odor from the toilet can get into the flooring and act as a strong 'marker' to draw him back to use that spot again. Should the puppy have an accident, then thoroughly deodorize the spot so that any lingering scents are cleaned away.

5

Avoid indoor and outdoor training at the same time

If you are training to use newspaper, then stick with this for starters. Now is not the time to teach the pup to toilet outdoors as well because it will only confuse things. Once he is toileting on newspaper or on cue, you can then place newspaper outdoors and use a cue word, then slowly phase out the paper.

Written by Pippa Elliott

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 10/26/2017, edited: 01/08/2021

Training Questions

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Training Questions and Answers

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Hershey

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Golden Retriever

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8 Weeks

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I don’t really have the time or support to potty train him all the time. I want to know how I would be able to keep up with his toilet schedule while also doing full time school.

Sept. 24, 2020

Hershey's Owner

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Alisha Smith - Alisha S., Dog Trainer

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Hi there. I am going to send you information on how to train your dog to go on potty pads. The process is the same as newspaper. But I'd recommend potty pads because they are much more absorbent. Choose Your Spot Pick a space in your house where you want your dog to go. Obviously, you’ll want this spot to be a low-traffic area. Make sure this spot is easily accessible to your dog, and make sure the floor surface is linoleum or tile, as opposed to carpet. If your dog “misses,” it will be easier to clean up. If the only spot you can put the pee pad is a carpet, you might consider getting a small tarp to put underneath the puppy pee pad to guard against spillage. Choose a spot that is outside of your “smell zone.” An important tip to remember is to make sure not to let your dog decide the spot he likes. Not only might he pick an area you won’t like, but he’ll learn that he is in charge – not you – which can cause a host of problems down the line. Monitor Your Dog When you are potty training your dog, full-time monitoring is an absolute necessity. It’s impossible to correct bad behaviors if you don’t see them happen. Dogs have very short memories. It is important to catch your dog in the act. If your dog goes on the floor, and you try to correct him hours after the fact, he will be confused and upset, not knowing what he did wrong. This can hinder training and your relationship with your dog. Puppies, in particular, must be watched constantly. They have less control over their bowels and will go when they have to go. If you miss these moments, you lose precious training opportunities. Of course, it’s nearly impossible to be with your dog 24 hours a day, but try to spend more time at home during the weeks you are potty training – it will pay off in the long run. Learn Your Dog’s Schedule Dogs, for the most part, are predictable. They will go to the bathroom at predictable times. You should be able to learn when your dog has to go based on timing as much as on his signals. Take some time to study your dog’s bathroom habits. You’ll learn the amount of time after he eats or drinks that he has to go, and you’ll get in rhythm with his daily bathroom schedule. This will help you reduce accidents and speed up the potty training process. Studying your dog’s habits can also help you identify his bathroom “triggers” – like having to go after a certain amount of playtime. Once you learn your dog’s schedule, use it to your advantage in potty training. Bring him to the pee pad a few minutes before he normally goes, and encourage him. This will help him get used to going in the right spot, and help you establish repetition in your training. Choose a Command Word Dogs have keen senses – they respond to sight, smell, and sound. When you begin pee pad training, choose a command word and use it every time you take your dog to the pad. Just about any word will work. The tone of your voice is more important than the actual word. Try phrases like “go on” or “go potty” in a slightly elevated, encouraging tone. Make sure to repeat this same command, in the same tone, every time you take your dog to the pee pad. Avoid Punishment When your dog has an accident, it’s just that – an accident. When you punish your dog during potty training, he will become confused and scared. He doesn’t know what he’s done wrong, and can’t understand why the person he loves most is mad at him. Most importantly, it will not help his potty training. Positive Reinforcement Both human and dog behavior is largely based on incentives. Dogs’ incentives are very simple – they want to eat when they are hungry, play when they are excited, and sleep when they are tired. But the most important thing your dog wants in life is to please you. Use this to your advantage. Whenever your dog goes on his potty training pad, shower him with lots of praise. If he sees that he gets praise for doing his business on the pad, he will be incentivized to keep going on the pad – and he’ll be excited to do it! Potty training – whether it’s a pee pad or going outside – will take time, but if you do it right, can take less time. Many dogs are potty trained in less than two weeks. Just remember that you and your dog are partners. Do everything you can to help him learn the proper etiquette, and you will enjoy a long, quality relationship together. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for writing in.

Sept. 24, 2020

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timmy

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Mini Schnauzer Chin

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4 Months

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i am trying to train my dog to poop on paper. i got him when he was 4 months i have had him about 3 weeks now. in his original home with his parents they trained the dogs to poop and pee on paper and i was able to see this for myself. however since he has been here i have not gotten him to poop or pee on paper once. he just tears up the paper and makes a mess.

Oct. 12, 2018

timmy's Owner

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Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

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Hello Alexis, Timmy shredding the paper up now is probably due to his current age. As puppies get older they tend to "wake up" more and chew and tear things up more. Paper is an extremely common thing to shred. Plus your puppy no longer has his litter mates also pooping on the paper to encourage him to. You can try keeping a soiled paper on top of the other papers to discourage him from tearing them up, mimicking the other puppies going potty on the paper too. You can also purchase a potty encouraging spray and spray that on the papers to help him learn. The truth is that the odds of teaching him to go potty on the paper are not very good unless you can supervise him with the paper at all times to actively teach him to leave the paper alone. Leaving him alone with the paper will not only result in torn up paper but will also encourage him to learn to destroy other paper, and could possibly cause a medical issue if he eats the paper he shreds. It is common for breeders to use paper to train younger puppies because they will not usually shred it when young. As the puppies get older, they tend to shred it more though. I suggest training your puppy to use a grass toilet pad. If you wish for him to use the bathroom inside right now or permanently, then the grass pad will cause the least amount of confusion with potty training, compared to other materials, and will make outdoor potty training easier than if you had used pee pads. You can also litter box train him but you may need to wait until he is a bit older to switch to that because he might eat the litter or wood chips at this age. You can get a litter box and put a grass toilet pad in it right now to get him used to the box, and then switch to using litter later when he will not eat it, if you wish to use a litter box long term. Here is an article on how to litter box train him. If you use the grass toilet pad, which I recommend doing, then replace the litter box with the grass pad and follow the rest of the steps, or put the grass pad in an empty litter box to get him used to litter boxes for future use. https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy Here is a link to a real grass pad. Look for real grass. this is one example, but there are other pads with real grass too that can be purchased online: https://www.amazon.com/DoggieLawn-Disposable-Dog-Potty-Grass/dp/B00761ZXQW/ref=pd_sim_199_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00761ZXQW&pd_rd_r=1f926811-cdc5-11e8-b42b-1db580407759&pd_rd_w=KSy9D&pd_rd_wg=qlxmQ&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=18bb0b78-4200-49b9-ac91-f141d61a1780&pf_rd_r=NHWT1C4634ED7E2KV7D7&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=NHWT1C4634ED7E2KV7D7 Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Oct. 12, 2018


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