Successfully housebreaking a puppy involves more than just establishing a schedule; it’s about fostering clear communication between you and your canine companion. If you’ve diligently followed the foundational steps of house training, your puppy may already be showing signs of needing to go out. This article will guide you through the crucial next phase: teaching your puppy to actively signal when they need to relieve themselves, ensuring a fully house-trained dog.
The primary objective of this stage is to empower your puppy to communicate their needs to you. By utilizing a slightly ajar door, we encourage your puppy to understand that they require your assistance to access the outdoors. This method builds upon established routines and reinforces their learning.
This procedure is an addition to your existing house-training rituals, not a replacement. It’s designed for times when your puppy is spending supervised indoor time in an area where they have direct access to the designated outdoor potty spot.
Allowing Your Puppy to Experience the Outdoors
During this transitional period, the door used for potty breaks should be kept slightly ajar. This allows your puppy to smell the outside air without being able to exit independently. For sliding doors, simply leave them open by an inch or so. With traditional swinging doors, a wedge-style doorstop can be effective. Alternatively, a security door chain can provide security while still allowing the door to be cracked open. Some owners have also installed security bolts on sliding doors to achieve the same effect without compromising security.
Encouraging “Going Outside” Signals
Begin the established “going outside” ritual whenever your puppy shows interest in the outside air through the cracked door. As they sniff the door, gently ask, “Do you want to go outside?” Pause for a moment, allowing your puppy to provide an affirmative signal. This might be a whine, a soft bark, or pawing at the door. If your puppy seems distracted or moves away, guide them back to the door to encourage this interaction. Have your leash ready to ensure a swift and supervised trip outside, reinforcing that these excursions are for bathroom purposes only.
Incorporating Bells for Communication
For those using hanging bells as a notification method, the process remains similar. Once at the partially open door, wait until your puppy’s sniffing causes the bells to jingle. Immediately praise them, offer a treat, and open the door. Remember to have the bells installed throughout the initial house-training phase so they ring with every scheduled potty break.
Differentiating Potty Trips from Playtime
It is critical during this phase to exclusively use the “outside” ritual for bathroom breaks. Avoid mixing “business with pleasure” by not combining potty trips with extended play in the same area. When your puppy signals to go out, ensure they understand this is solely for relieving themselves. After they have finished, return inside. If you wish to play, initiate a separate play session outdoors afterward.
HINT: When heading out for playtime or a walk, use a different phrase than the one used to announce a potty trip. This helps solidify the specific meaning of “Do you want to go outside?” and the act of “asking” for a potty break.
NOTE: While it’s perfectly acceptable and even encouraged for your puppy to eliminate outdoors during playtime or walks, explicitly separating the “bathroom” ritual from these activities reinforces the prompt and the skill of “asking” to go out.
This approach will help you and your puppy successfully navigate the final stages of house training, bringing you closer to a completely house-trained companion. Have fun with this next stage – you’re almost there!
Helpful Resources:
- House Breaking 101
- Crate Training 101
- Your Puppy’s First Couple of Weeks: Tips to Make the Transition Easier
