Help! My Dog Won’t Let Me Know When He Needs To Go!
One of the most common complaints during dog training sessions is that a dog won’t let the owners know when he needs to eliminate, resulting in accidents in the home. Often this statement comes from owners of new dogs who own smaller breeds. Quite frequently, these dogs are also from rescue or shelter situations.
Anyone could certainly appreciate a dog that might ring a bell on the door, whine, nose the owner in the knee, or hold up a lit neon sign that screams “I have to potty right NOW!” The unfortunate reality is that this may not happen right away with a new dog.
If the dog came from a shelter or rescue situation, it likely has no understanding of “let someone know.” Sadly, there is often no one around to be attentive to these cues. And that means that the dog may be comfortable eliminating in their own kennel space.
The issue of accidents in the home can be further exacerbated if the dog has ever been scolded or punished for having an accident. After all, if the puppy or dog is scared or frightened of punishment by the owners, then he’ll learn to find a place farthest away from the people to do his business. Usually this means finding a corner in a quiet, dark, plushly carpeted bedroom.
What about in the meantime between first getting your dog and training it to “notify?” The answer is very simple… Always assume your dog has to potty. This is easy if you have a puppy in the home. If he didn’t just come inside from pottying successfully, then most likely he’ll need to potty within the next 10-30 minutes. It’s safe to assume that with a brand new puppy (8 weeks), you’ll be going out every hour on the hour when the pup is not crated. Predictably, puppies need to eliminate right after eating, drinking, waking up, and after play sessions.
With a small breed adult dog, assume that you’ll need to take your dog out at minimum every two hours. The most important thing you can do for your new puppy or dog is take them to the same spot in the yard (on leash) and then treat and praise heavily after your dog potties in that spot. Never interrupt the “flow” of success!
If your dog was not successful outside, place your dog in his crate for 10-20 minutes and then try again. Just a reminder that the appropriate crate size for potty-training is one where the dog can comfortably stand up, turn around and lay down. Anything larger will give them room to eliminate inside the crate.
Indeed, there are subtle physical cues your dog will give when they need to potty. Circling, sniffing and an elevated position of your dog’s tail will tell you that your dog may need to go outside tout de suite. If your dog is left to roam your home unsupervised, you would never be able to pick up on these subtle cues.
Therefore, if you are in the process of potty-training your dog, it’s important that the dog always be within your sight. Tools to help with this include using an exercise pen and baby gates to keep your dog confined to certain areas, or tether your dog to you as you move around the home. Tethering your dog to your waist can also simultaneously teach him nice leash-walking skills!
Do you have a question about dogs or dog behavior? Send an email to sarah@persuadedpooch.com or contact Sarah here, and you might see your question addressed in an upcoming post.
Susan Blandford
12:05 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Working on bell training. We are trained so far....
Sarah Hoth, KPA-CTP - Dog Trainer
8:20 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Susan, that's wonderful! Bell training is a great way to teach your dog to alert when he or she needs to go outside. Like all training, it takes consistency and patience but most dogs can pick it up quickly. Kudos!
Gary K Lee
3:12 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
As a puppy our dog was quiet and didn't tell us even though he was destined to became a large dog. He rarely barked. Came from a house where the mother and puppies could freely walk inside and out. We tried to take him outside frequently and most often the accidents happened at night when we didn't wake up often enough to let him out. All is good now. He is nearly 2 years old.
Sarah Hoth, KPA-CTP - Dog Trainer
8:24 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Gary, it's great that you recognize the environment from which your puppy came. The puppy wouldn't know any differently when he came to your home, until he was able to learn and adjust to the your routine. Often accidents in the crate happen when the crate is just a little too big. However, very young pups do need to be taken out in the middle of the night sometimes because their bladders just aren't developed yet.
Kimberly
3:44 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
We put our dogs food down and take him out 30-40 mins after that. When he is with my daughter he will go in 10 mins, with me I can stand outside for 20 minutes and he will keep trying to leave his designated spot. I recently found out he has been having accidents in my daughters room and she has done nothing to correct him. I am getting so frustrated. Help, I do not want to get rid of him, but he cannot keep soiling my house either. I have really gotten attached to his cute little face, I am desperate. We recently got him a crate, he does not soil it, nor does he whine. He can stay in there long periods without an accident. He also does not let me know when he needs to go outside. HELP!!!!! I feel guilty putting him in the crate when I am at home because he did have freedom.
Kimberly
4:01 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
We put our dogs food down and take him out 30-40 mins after that. When he is with my daughter he will go in 10 mins, with me I can stand outside for 20 minutes and he will keep trying to leave his designated spot. I recently found out he has been having accidents in my daughters room and she has done nothing to correct him. I am getting so frustrated. Help, I do not want to get rid of him, but he cannot keep soiling my house either. I have really gotten attached to his cute little face, I am desperate. We recently got him a crate, he does not soil it, nor does he whine. He can stay in there long periods without an accident. He also does not let me know when he needs to go outside. HELP!!!!! I feel guilty putting him in the crate when I am at home because he did have freedom.
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Sarah Hoth, KPA-CTP - Dog Trainer
8:22 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Kimberly, thanks for your message. Regarding the designated spot, take your dog out on a leash so that you can ensure that he doesn't wander off. Be sure to praise heavily and offer the best treats available when he does potty outside. You may wish to put a baby gate up in your daughter's room so that she can access it but the dog cannot, even if she should leave the door open accidentally. Don't feel guilty about putting your dog in the crate. When dogs have too much freedom, they can get into trouble. The crate can offer peace of mind that you know your house is clean and that your dog is being successful, instead of the alternate feelings of anger and frustration when your dog has accidents in the home. Lastly, if your dog receives only good things in his crate - like food, stuffed Kongs, etc. - he will enjoy being there.