Dogs don't have full bladder capacity until they are approximately 12 months of age.
If you're toilet training an adult dog that hasn't been trained properly before, the stages will be the same, however it may take longer. This can depend on the age and experience of your individual dog.
When to take your dog outside
When you begin toilet training you need to give your dog plenty of opportunities to go in an appropriate place. You'll be more successful if you actively supervise your dog. Puppies need to toilet regularly and should be taken outside:
- When they wake up
- Before bed
- After every meal
- After playtime or exercise
- After any excitement, for example visitors to the home
- Before you leave them and when you come back
Then every 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the puppy’s age
Signs your dog needs to toilet
There are signs in your dog’s behaviour that will enable you to predict when they need to go to the toilet. Times to look out for these signs are after naps, after feeding and after they’ve been left alone. These include:
- Fidgeting
- Sniffing around
Beginning to circle before squatting
Toilet training steps
When you recognise the signs that your dog is thinking about toileting:
- Take them to the correct place so that you can reward them when they go. Try to take them to the same place each time.
- When they begin to toilet, use a verbal cue they can associate with the correct behaviour, for example, 'toilet'.
- When they've finished, reward them immediately, every time, with lots of praise, treats and play. Reward-based training also helps build a good relationship between you and your dog and makes them feel secure, which will be useful in future training. Before going back inside, walk your dog around or play for a while. This way they don't learn that going to the toilet ends time outside, which could mean they hold on until the last minute before going in order to extend playtime.
If you notice your dog about to go in the wrong place, interrupt them but in a way that doesn't punish them, for example calling their name. Take them calmly towards the correct place and give them lots of praise when they toilet there. Don't shout, otherwise your dog may learn that it's only safe to go when you're not around.
What to do if there's an accident
- Never punish your dog if you find an accident after the event or as it's happening. Your dog may become scared and confused as they won't associate the punishment with the accident.
- Simply clean the area using a warm solution of biological washing powder (one part washing powder to nine parts water) and rinse with water. This should remove the smell and reduce the chance of your dog using this area again.
There are different reasons for toileting indoors, including health or lack of training. If you're concerned, always seek advice from your vet.
Toilet training should be fun and rewarding for you both! Continue taking your dog outside and reward them with lots of praise when they go and eventually they'll let you know when they need to go outside to toilet.
If the training is unsuccessful or you’re having difficulty, get your dog checked by a vet to rule out any health concerns. Your vet may then refer you to a clinical animal behaviourist who should have a combination of appropriate qualifications, up-to-date knowledge, skills and experience and treat behaviour in a way which doesn’t put the welfare of the dog at risk.
My dog is toilet trained but wees and poos when left alone
If your dog is going for a wee or poo indoors when separated from you they could be finding it difficult to cope when left alone.
This type of separation-related behaviour is very common and we've put together some tips to help you work out what your dog is feeling when they're left alone and what to do about it.
Find out more about how to treat separation-related anxiety.
