Hi my name's Sarah
and I'm a Canine Behaviourist and Training Advisor
here at Battersea
Today we're going to look at tips
for toilet training your new dog
Whether you're bringing home a puppy
or an adult dog
the key to toilet training is to form good habits as soon as possible
Accidents are natural as they settle
so you'll need to give them time to adjust
some dogs will settle quickly into routine
while others may need more time and support
if the accidents continue
or you're concerned for any reason
it's a good idea to get in touch with your vet
who will be able to rule out any medical issues
While it will probably be obvious
when your dog has had an accident
you can also look out for the tell-tale signs
to redirect them before it happens
If you notice your dog doing any of the following
quickly but calmly get their attention
and take them outdoors
These include
pacing
panting
circling
whining
barking
or general restlessness
They might be
sniffing the ground
lowered body posture
curving to the ground
or squatting
or simply going to the door
some of these signs might be more obvious than others
so try not to worry if you don't catch them every time
If they do have an accident
stay calm and follow the instructions
to clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner
or you could use a solution of one to nine biological washing powder
to warm water
we wouldn't recommend household disinfectants
as they contain ammonia
and this may actually encourage your dog to go to the toilet
in the same place again
Remember you should never punish your dog for accidents
this could stress them out
and they may become fearful or scared of going to the toilet
and become secretive about it instead
Knowing the kind of surface
your dog likes to go to the toilet on
will really help with house training
you should be able to find this out
from the rescue centre
or the breeder you got your new pet from
some examples of different surfaces
or substrates include
paper
cement
gravel
puppy pads
towels
carpet
or different lengths of grass
some dogs or puppies may be used to going on the floor
or their bedding
so just while they're learning
it can be a good idea to take up any rugs
or block access to carpeted areas if possible
equally some dogs may only go to the toilet on walks
so make sure to give your dog frequent toilet breaks
just for the first few weeks
while you both adjust to the new routine
Consistency is key when settling in a new dog
and establishing good habits
a clear routine will help your dog grow in confidence
and feel more secure
This will make them less anxious
and therefore less likely to go to the toilet in the wrong place
While your dog is building up their bladder control
we would recommend taking them out around the following times
when they wake up
first thing in the morning
and after any naps during the day
after eating and after drinking
after a period of activity
for example after playtime
or running around
and lastly before bedtime
try to make their last trip outside
as late as you can
as well as this it's a good idea to give your new dog
plenty of opportunities to go outside during the day
This will maximise the chances of them
going to the toilet in the right place
If your dog is a puppy
they will need significantly more toilet breaks
during the day than an adult dog
We would advise taking them out roughly every hour
To begin with your new dog may not immediately
associate being in the garden with going to the toilet
if they don't go straight away
it's a good idea to sit down
make yourself completely uninteresting
and ignore them for a bit
Your dog will likely get bored and start sniffing around
and this will increase the chances of them going to the toilet
If they haven't done anything after 10 to 15 minutes
bring them back inside
but do be sure to keep an eye out
for any signs that you may need to take them out again
When they do go to the toilet outside
in the right place
you should give them some gentle praise
We wouldn't recommend using treats
as some dogs may take this as a sign
that going to the toilet anywhere
may result in a tasty reward
If your dog responds particularly well to verbal cues
you could also try introducing a phrase like
wee-wees
You'll need to say it every time they go to the toilet
in the right place
eventually your dog should associate that phrase
with going to the toilet
which should help speed up the process
Remember if your dog does have an accident inside
stay calm and don't punish them
if you're worried or the accidents continue
get in touch with your vet
who will be able to help
These are our tips on toilet training your dog
if you'd like to learn more about how to teach your dog
the Battersea way
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