Housetraining your pup is one of the first things you’ll need to teach your pet. Once you succeed in training your dog to relieve themselves in a specific area, it can help keep the rest of your home clean and smelling fresh. It will also make your experience as a pet parent more enjoyable when you don’t need to clean up messes after a long day at work. But did you know you can improve on basic potty training and teach your pup to pee and poop on command as well?
Training your pup to go on cue helps you avoid having to deal with unwanted messes when you travel. It’s also useful for when it’s too rainy or cold to stand around waiting for your dog to finish their business. Best of all, this is a skill that can be taught to all dogs, regardless of their age. Whether you recently adopted a puppy or have been caring for your beloved canine companion for a while, here are some tips to help you train your dog to pee and poop on command.
Get Your Dog’s Potty Essentials Ready
As you prepare to teach your pup, make sure you have the right pet supplies to help you clean up the messes. If you plan to do the potty training outside during your walks, remember to bring some durable poop bags. For your convenience, get a couple of customizable dog poop bag pouches you can place near the door and where you usually keep your pet’s stuff so you’ll always have them ready when it’s time to take out your dog. Pouch designs that attach to your dog’s leash help you remember to bring them along and keep your hands free as well.
Choose a Word to Signal Your Pup to Go Potty
Before you train your dog to go potty on command, make sure to pick a verbal cue specifically for peeing and pooping. It will signal your dog to do as they’re told and you’ll get the desired behavior. When selecting the verbal cue, remember to make it different from other commands your dog already knows. Otherwise, it might confuse them. You can go traditional and choose the words “pee,” “poop,” or “go potty.” You can also be more subtle with hints like “do your business” or “empty.”
Do the Training When and Where Your Dog Commonly Does Their Business
The most effective way to teach your dog to pee and poop on command is to give verbal cues when they’ll most likely relieve themselves. Depending on your pup’s regular activities, this can be after they play or eat. If you follow a regular feeding schedule, it will be easier to anticipate when they’ll be most likely to potty as they typically do so after each meal.
Aside from the time your dog will do their business, keep in mind the location your pet prefers to do it in. If they have a spot where they typically relieve themselves, take them to that area right away and wait for them to potty. If not, try walking them in different spots with few distractions. If you’re training your dog in an unfenced area outside of your property, make sure to secure your pet with a long and durable leash so they have enough space to move without straying too far from you.
Say the Verbal Cue Next Time Your Dog Goes Potty
Remain quiet while you wait for your dog to find a good spot, then give the verbal cue the moment your pet poops or pees. Remember to utter the word once as your dog starts to go potty. Do this each time you take them out to pee or poop. Also, be mindful of any indication they’ll need to do their business. For example, you’ll notice that your dog often spins around, sniffs intensely, or squats as they get into their potty position. Observing their behavior will help you predict if they’re about to relieve themselves. Once you’re certain of their pre-potty ritual, say the command word as soon as they exhibit the behavior. Keep doing training every day or until your dog learns to associate the command word with these actions.
Reward Your Dog Right After the Doing their Business
To encourage good behavior, use positive reinforcement right away. This can mean praising, giving gentle strokes, or giving delicious treats to your dog. It will help instill the training and make them look forward to something exciting at the end of their potty time. Alternatively, you can reward your dog with extended playtime or walk around the block so they view the activity as fun. It also provides them environmental rewards such as continuing to sniff and explore their surroundings. Whatever you choose as a form of reward, make sure to do this when they’re completely done doing their business. Otherwise they might get carried too excited by the reward and continue to potty once at home.
Add Variety to Potty Locations
Once your dog has become accustomed to peeing and pooping on command, switch the potty location every once in a while. This will help make pottying on command a general skill, so your pet won’t struggle with practicing the same behavior when they encounter a new situation in the future. Learning to potty wherever you tell them to will be very useful if they’re sick or if the weather is too bad to go outside. It will also be more convenient for pet owners who live in apartment buildings and don’t have access to a yard or outdoor space.
Teaching your pup to pee and poop on command is a useful skill to teach both young and adult dogs. Like all training, it can take time for your dog to learn but following these tips can make the process easier for you and your furry friend. With some patience and effort, you’ll be able to command your dog to go potty on cue.