I have gotten a lot of questions about house training lately, so let’s jump right into this.
House training is more management than training. I always recommend to clients that you keep your dog (who is prone to accidents, new dog/puppy, or a dog who just hasn’t learned to go outside) close to you when you are home. It’s what I call a umbilical cord, this is a 4-6 ft leash that is attached to you (on a belt loop). This way you can watch for signs of needing to potty (lots of sniffing and turning in a circle). You can also use what’s called a tie-down, this is a 4 ft leash that is attached to a piece of furniture that your dog can not move. As long as you crate train positively and your dog has positive associations with the crate, I recommend this as well. Dogs don’t like to potty where they are and these methods help them hold their waste for a short period or time. When you are home, take your dog out (on a leash) to where you want them to potty. Right when they are DONE going potty, click (or you can use the word “YES” or “good”) and then give a treat that your dog enjoys. Soon, when you go outside with your dog, you can start putting it on cue. Ex: While they are relieving themselves say “Go potty”, “hurry up”, or whatever you would like to use as the cue. As soon as they are finished, click (or use your mark word) and give a treat.
ONCE, your dog has consistently gone potty outside and there have been no accidents for a few days, you can try allowing him to be loose in the house. I would take your dog out to potty and when he does, reward and then take him inside and allow him 15 min- an hour off leash depending on his age.
***PLEASE NOTE: If you have a puppy, they can only hold their bladder for 1 hour per month old that they are. So, if you crate your 3 month old puppy for 4 hours, chances are he will have an accident in his crate. So please keep in mind to how long your dog is physically capable of holding their bladder.
*If you catch your dog going potty in your home, for little dogs, just pick them up and carrying them outside, most of the time dogs won’t continue going to the bathroom until they are back on the ground. Put your big dog on leash and walk outside. If you keep the dog on a tie down, on an umbilical cord, or crated, this should not be an issue.
If you stay consistent and do this everyday then your dog should have the idea of going potty outside in a few days to a week.