How to Potty Train a Rottweiler Puppy
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Introduction
One of the first things any new puppy owner has to face is that their first job as a new puppy owner is to teach your pooch not to go potty in the house--better known as potty training. Your little Rottie is smart, quick to learn, and loves to please you. This is the perfect combination for anyone who is trying to potty train their pup. One of the biggest reasons for unsuccessful potty training is that the owner has not learned how to show their pup what is expected of him right from the start. One of the other major players in the game is not having enough time to properly train your pup. It will take time and consistent practice in order to succeed with potty training your Rottweiler puppy.
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Defining Tasks
Today's assignment, should you decide to accept it, is to take your new Rottie pup and train him that the only place he is permitted to go potty is outside in the yard. At the same time, you will be teaching him to hold his bladder and bowels for longer periods of time and that going potty in the house is never an acceptable form of behavior. Bear in mind that you should pick one spot in your yard for your pup to use as his potty. This will help with the whole training process and keep the rest of your yard much cleaner.
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Getting Started
Keep in mind that the best time to potty train your Rottie pup is from the moment you get out of the car with him on his first day home. Start out by taking him to the spot in your yard you have designated as his personal potty area the moment you bring him home, even before you take him inside for the first time. This helps set the stage for future potty training.
To complete training, you will need:
- A crate – To give your pup a place to go when you have to go out, go to bed, or can't watch him
- Treats – No training is going to be successful without a way to reward him
- Leash – For taking him out
- Cleaning supplies – For those occasional accidents
Along with all of this, you are also going to need a large supply of patience and, of course, the time to spend taking your pup outside until he gets the idea and starts going potty outside where he should and not inside the house.
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The Leash Method
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Most Recommended
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Find a spot in your yard
Spend a little time looking around your yard looking for the perfect spot to turn in to your pup's potty spot. It should be close enough that your pup won't have an accident on the way there. At the same time, try to choose a spot where any odors are not likely to make it into your home.
Let's go outside
Pick a verbal cue, one that is easy to remember, such as "Let's go out" or "Time to go outside" and use it each time you go through the door with your pup on the way to the potty. Go ahead and hook him to his leash, use the cue and take him out to his spot. Wait for him to do his business.
Good boy!
When your pup finishes going potty, be sure to praise him and give him a treat.
Build a routine
The best way to potty train your Rottie is to set a timer, put him on his leash, and take him out every half hour at first, as well as after naps, meals, large drinks, playtime, first thing in the morning, and last thing at night. Each time you take him out and he does his business, be sure you praise him and give him a treat.
When you are inside
While you and your pup are inside, it is your job to keep a close eye on him. Any time he looks like he might need to go, take him right out. When he goes, reward him. If not, take him back inside, watch him like a hawk and get back on schedule. It won't take long and he will be fully potty trained.
The No, Not There Method
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First, choose your spot
The first thing you need to do is choose the spot in your yard where your pup can go potty. This is important, as he needs to have a place to go that he can call his own. It will also make the training go faster.
This is your potty
Put your pup on his leash and take him outside. Walk him over the spot you want him to use. Give him some time (up to 15 minutes) to go. If he does, that's great! Praise him and give him a treat. If not, no worries, just take him back inside.
Eyes on the target
In this case, the target is your pup. Watch him like a hawk and the moment he looks as though he might be thinking about going potty in your home, say "NO!" in a firm, but not angry voice. Then hook him to his leash and take him straight outside so he can potty.
Rewards for success
Every time your pup goes potty where he should, be sure to give him a treat and praise him. The idea is to teach your pup that he gets the goodies when he goes potty where he is supposed to.
Add to his time
Start slowly building up the amount of time between when gets to go outside. This will help him to build the necessary stamina and control over his bladder and bowels needed for him to go for several hours at a time between potty breaks.
The By the Clock Method
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If you don't have a clock
If for some reason you don’t have a clock or timer handy, run out to your local discount department store and grab one.
Set your schedule
Set your schedule up so you can take a break and take your puppy out every 30 minutes to go potty. Consistency is very important at the beginning, it helps to set the stage for what you expect of him in the future.
Take your pup out
When the timer goes off, be sure to put your dog on his leash and then take him outside to the designated spot in the yard.
Keep him there
Keep your pup out in the yard until he goes potty. If he has not gone after 15 minutes, you can take him back inside and try again in another 15 minutes.
While inside
While you are inside with your pup, be sure to keep a close eye on him. If at any time your pup looks like he might need to go potty, go ahead and take him straight outside. When he does go, be sure to praise him and treat him.
The rest
The rest is all about working with your pup, to extend the time between when you take him outside. With time and patience, your pup will soon learn where his potty is and that he gets good things for going potty there.
Written by PB Getz
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/23/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Farrah
Rottweiler
Six Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
she wont go outside, she will hold it and wait to go inside
Feb. 22, 2023
Farrah's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello, I recommend following the Crate Training method from the article I have linked below, and if she doesn't go potty when you take her outside (go with her and watch right now), then when you go back inside, crate her for 30-60 minutes, then take her back outside to try again after that time. Repeat this process until she finally goes potty outside, at which time you can give her a treat and lots of praise. Since she is older than the puppy the article is geared toward, you can adjust the article times, to potty trips every 2-3 hours, and taking her back outside every 30-60 minutes if she didn't go when you took her the first time. Scale back that initial 2-3 hours by thirty minutes if you find she can't hold it that long and will have an accident, say by hour 3. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Feb. 28, 2023
coltrane
Rottweiler
Three Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
1. how to effectively potty train 2. stop biting
Jan. 4, 2023
coltrane's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello, Check out these articles I have linked below. Potty training - I recommend the Crate training method for most dogs. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Puppy biting: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Jan. 5, 2023