Successfully house training a puppy is a rewarding journey, and building upon initial success is key to a well-behaved canine companion. This guide focuses on the crucial next step after initial house breaking: teaching your puppy to communicate their need to go outside. This phase is designed to refine the process, ensuring your pup reliably signals their intentions, preventing accidents and fostering a stronger bond between you and your dog.
The Prerequisite for Success
Before embarking on this stage, it’s essential to have a solid foundation from initial house training. Ensure you have consistently followed a structured schedule, similar to the protocols outlined in “House Breaking 101.” Your puppy should not have had any accidents indoors during this period, and ideally, they may have already begun to show some signs of needing to go out. Skipping these foundational steps can prolong the housebreaking timeline significantly, so patience and adherence to the basics are paramount.
The Goal: Fostering Independence in Asking
The primary objective of this phase is to empower your puppy to actively “ask” to go outside. We aim to create a scenario where your puppy realizes they need your assistance to fully access the outdoors, thereby encouraging them to communicate their needs. This is achieved by creating a partially open door, a subtle cue that prompts your pup to seek your help to go out.
An Add-On Procedure, Not a New Ritual
This technique is an extension of your existing routine and is best implemented during supervised indoor time. The key is to position your puppy so they have access to the door you’ve consistently used for their bathroom breaks.
Letting Your Pup Smell the Outside Air
During this transitional period, keep the designated door slightly ajar. This allows your puppy to experience the scents of the outside world without being able to exit independently. For sliding patio doors, simply crack it open an inch or so. With traditional swinging doors, a wedge-type stopper can be effective. Alternatively, a security door chain can provide security while maintaining a small opening. Some owners have also utilized security bolts on sliders to achieve the same “cracked open” effect safely.
Encouraging “Going Outside” When Your Pup Smells the Outdoors
When your puppy begins to sniff the air through the partially open door, initiate your established “going outside ritual.” Ask, “Do you want to go outside?” as they investigate the door. Pause for a moment, allowing your puppy to respond with a signal, which might be a whine, a small bark, or pawing at the door. If you observe your pup moving away and intently sniffing the floor, gently guide them to the partially open door. Have your leash ready to ensure they go directly to the designated bathroom area and supervise the trip.
Utilizing Bells for Communication
For those who prefer using hanging bells as a communication tool, the process remains similar. Once at the partially open door, wait for your puppy’s sniffing to jostle the bells. As soon as the bells ring, praise them, offer a treat, and open the door. Remember to have these bells consistently jingling throughout the initial housebreaking phase whenever you take your puppy outside.
Differentiating Bathroom Trips from Playtime
It is crucial during this training period to exclusively associate the “outside” ritual with bathroom breaks. Avoid mixing “business with pleasure” by not allowing extensive play in the same area immediately after a bathroom trip. This distinction helps solidify the prompt “Do you want to go outside?” and the skill of asking. While it’s perfectly acceptable for your puppy to relieve themselves during play or walks, explicitly separating the “bathroom” ritual reinforces the asking behavior.
This final stage of house training is within reach. With consistent application of these steps, you’ll soon have a puppy that reliably communicates their needs, making your home a more harmonious environment for everyone.
