Hello Dami, For dogs who are learning indoor and outdoor potty training, consistency between the two and clearer boundaries are really important. First, I would start by using a disposable indoor grass pad for the indoor potty training, instead of something like a pee pad, because pee pads are much more likely to be confused with other fabrics like rugs, and don't resemble the outside world. www.freshpatch.com www.doggielawn.com www.porchpotty Most of these can also be bought on Amazon Second, I would use the Exercise Pen method I have linked below for the indoor potty training initially, and set up the exercise pen in the location where you want the pad to live long term - you want pup to learn to go potty in a specific location in the house, not just on a certain surface, to ensure pup doesn't associate the rest of the house with pottying too. Some dogs even need something like an exercise pen to be left up around the pad long term to give a visual cue that the potty is different than the rest of the house - sort of like how we expect to find a toilet inside a bathroom so go looking for a bathroom when in a home, and don't expect to toilet anywhere else inside. Exercise Pen method - a litter box or grass pad can either one be used while following this method: https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy Third, I would follow the Tethering method from the article I have linked below for the outside potty training. When pup isn't 100% empty, I would either have pup be in the exercise pen near the indoor potty or tethered to you with a hands free leash at this point in the training. There are additional steps in the tethering method article for how to get pup to go potty while outside - like walking pup slowly around on leash, teaching Go Potty, using scent to encourage pup, choosing a calm location to walk pup around in (require pup to go potty in a calm location before a walk instead of during, so pup doesn't hold their bladder is hopes of keeping the walk progressing), and using treats to reward pup when they do go. Tethering method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Since pup is a bit older, pup can likely go about 2-4 hours between potty trips when not in a crate. When you will be gone, confine pup to a crate or in the exercise pen with the grass pad to prevent accidents inside. The #1 goal of potty training is preventing accidents through management at first, so that pup develops a natural preference for keeping your home clean to help motivate them to want to keep it clean on their own as they are then rewarded for going potty in the correct location. With some dogs you may find that you need to teach pup to go potty just outside, so pottying isn't associated with inside at all, then after about a year of consistent outside potty training you can attempt adding in a grass pad and exercise pen inside, once pup can clearly differentiate that the rest of the house is supposed to be kept clean. When that's the case, I would simply start with outside potty training and the crate training method from the article I have linked below, adding the exercise pen method for inside potty training later on. The method I have linked below was written for younger puppies, since your dog is older you can adjust the times and take him potty less frequently. I suggest taking him potty every 3 hours when you are home. After 1.5 hours (or less if she has an accident sooner) or freedom out of the crate, return him to the crate while his bladder is filling back up again until it has been 3 hours since his last potty trip. When you have to go off he should be able to hold his bladder in the crate for 5-7 hours - less at first while he is getting used to it and longer once he is accustomed to the crate. Only have him wait that long when you are not home though, take him out about every 3 hours while home. You want him to get into the habit of holder his bladder between trips and not just eliminating whenever he feels the urge and you want to encourage that desire for cleanliness in your home - which the crate is helpful for. Less freedom now means more freedom later in life. Crate Training method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside If he is not already used to a crate, expect crying at first. When he cries and you know he doesn't need to go potty yet, ignore the crying. Most dogs will adjust if you are consistent. You can give him a dog food stuffed hollow chew toy to help him adjust and sprinkle treats into the crate during times of quietness to further encourage quietness. If he continues protesting for long periods of time past 3-5 days, you can use a Pet Convincer. Work on teaching "Quiet" but using the Quiet method from the article linked below. Tell him "Quiet" when he barks and cries. If he gets quiet and stays quiet, you can sprinkle a few pieces of dog food into the crate through the wires calmly, then leave again. If he disobeys your command and keep crying or stops but starts again, spray a small puff of air from the Pet convincer at his side through the crate while saying "Ah Ah" calmly, then leave again. If he stays quiet after you leave you can periodically sprinkle treats into the crate to reward quietness. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 8, 2021

Hello! I am going to give you some training information on how to work with your dog to use a potty pad. 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.

March 9, 2021