How to House Train a Dog?

Potty training dogs requires effective methods and complete supervision. Here’s how you can make the process easier: 

Do Crate Training

Crate training is a way of letting your dog feel safe and comfortable, which is a helpful method used together with house training. When done properly, it can let your dog know that the crate is a secure resting space. 

Since dogs instinctively want to keep their sleeping areas clean, they’ll learn to hold their bladders and bowels, understanding that potty breaks are done outside. 

Create Schedules

Well-trained dogs come from well-defined schedules. This includes feeding and potty routines. When feeding your dog, make sure to do so at the exact times each day. This will help them associate these times with feeding and align their bodies to poop shortly after.

A good idea is to take your dog out first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, after playtime, and before bedtime. Always lead them to the same place and say a cue word like “potty”. 

This helps them know when and where to go. Over time, they can anticipate the routine, and their habits can adjust naturally. 

Use Potty Pads

If you don’t have dedicated outdoor spaces, then you can use potty pads. These pads are extremely effective at eliminating the odor and containing the pee and poop. Just like with outdoor house training, you can direct your dog to the pads when it’s time and say the cue word. 

These pads are also good options to help your dog transition from indoor to outdoor potty training. Just move the pad gradually closer to the door over time, then eventually outside. 

Give Rewards

Praise and treats are the core of house training a dog. Dogs learn quickly when they know that they’ve done a good job, and the best way to show it is by giving treats.

Give the treat within 2 to 3 seconds after finishing. The timing matters because it helps your dog associate the reward with the exact thing it did just recently. Combine these treats with praise, and your dog will have an easier time learning.

Be Patient

The most important thing to remember is to be patient. House training is an unfamiliar thing for your dog, and it’s something they need help with. If you show any aggression or give out punishment, they’ll have a hard time learning, and it can even strain your relationship. 

Dogs don’t understand our language, so it’s important for us to take things slow, be consistent, and trust in our best friends’ capabilities.

“When it comes to house training a dog, small steps lead to huge progress.”

- Dr. Soheyl Simaei

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to house train a dog is part of the experience of being a pet owner. This experience will not only lead to a cleaner home but also to a more confident dog and a stronger relationship with your best friend.