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Dog potty training need not be a difficult task but, as with most dog training, timing is of the essence.

Whether you are potty training a puppy or an adult dog the basic principle is the same, always complete your dog potty training using a non-coercive method of training. There is absolutely no need to raise your voice or, even worse, to smack your dog during potty training.

The most important point to remember throughout dog potty training is that there are three definite occasions that your dog will need to relieve itself these are:

1. After feeding
2. After sleeping
3. After playing

You can be certain of your dog requiring the toilet after these occurrences because once they have eaten, the food will be pressing down on their weak bladder giving the dog the desire to go & relieve itself. When the dog has been asleep upon awakening they will wish to relieve themselves as they have not been for awhile & after playing because they have been running around becoming excited.

After each one of the three guide your dog outside, do not be tempted to scoop your dog up & bundle them outside instead allow them to walk there by themselves with your guidance.

If you carry them you are not teaching your dog where the door is. The more they can discover the way by themselves the better as they will learn quicker this way. Once outside praise them, this is praise for actually being outside & for not relieving themselves indoors.

A big part of dog potty training is to encourage your dog to relieve himself or herself upon command, sounds a bit daunting but it is very simple to teach.

Point to an area of the grass & begin saying a word, this can be anything. The golden rule with this type of ‘word association’ dog potty training is to never alter your chosen word. The word I chose when potty training my own dogs was ‘tinkle.’

Just repeat the word over & over again, eventually your dog will relieve itself. When it does & whilst it is still doing so continue saying the word. Once the dog has finished praise flamboyantly, really shower your dog with affection ensuring they know that they have pleased you.

Watch them indoors & if they are displaying any signs of wishing to relieve themselves then usher them outside as quickly as you can. Never scold your dog for going inside, it will happen. If you discover your dog in the ‘act’ then say a firm ‘no’ do not shout but simply say it firmly & encourage them outside.

Overnight do not place newspaper on the floor because this will only show your dog that it is right to relieve itself indoors on the newspaper, you want to discourage him/her from going at all indoors.

The best course of action when dog potty training is to pop the dog outside as late as possible & again as early as possible the next morning. Accidents will occur indoors & you need to be aware of this, but do not point the finger of blame at your dog. We all have to learn new things & your dog is exactly the same.

Through perseverance & patience your dog will understand what it is you require of them just repeat the same actions each time they need to relieve themselves & your dog potty training will prove to be quite simplistic.