Successfully house training a puppy is a rewarding journey, and mastering the “ask” is a crucial milestone. This phase builds upon the foundational protocols established in “House Breaking 101.” If your puppy has been consistently accident-free and is beginning to show signs of needing to go out, you’re likely ready to introduce this advanced technique. Skipping steps can prolong the process, so ensure your puppy has grasped the essentials before moving forward. The goal here is to empower your puppy to communicate their needs, turning the house-training timeline into a smoother, faster experience.
The Goal: Encouraging Your Puppy to Ask
The primary objective of this training phase is to foster the understanding that your puppy needs to signal their desire to go outside. By partially opening a door, we create a scenario where your puppy realizes they require your assistance to fully exit. This partial opening is key to developing their communication skills and their understanding of the “ask” to go outside.
An Add-On Procedure, Not a New Ritual
This technique is designed to be integrated during periods of supervised indoor time. Ensure that your puppy has access to the door you’ve been using for their potty breaks. This supervised time is essential for observing and reinforcing their attempts to communicate.
Letting Your Puppy Smell the Outside
During this transitional training period, keep the designated potty door slightly ajar. This allows your puppy to experience the smells of the outdoors without the ability to leave unsupervised. For sliding doors, simply pull it open an inch or two. For swinging doors, a wedge-style door stopper can be effective. Alternatively, a security door chain can provide a similar effect, allowing the door to be cracked open for ventilation and sensory experience while maintaining security. Some clients have also found success with security bolts installed in sliders to achieve this “cracked open” effect safely.
Encouraging “Going Outside” Signals
When your puppy begins to sniff the air through the partially open door, initiate the “going outside ritual.” Gently ask, “Do you want to go outside?” and pause for a few moments, waiting for a signal from your puppy. Common signals include whining, a soft bark, or pawing at the door. If you notice your puppy moving away and intently sniffing the floor, it may be an indication they need to go. Guide them to the partially open door and wait for their affirmative signal before opening it fully. Keep a leash handy to lead them directly to their designated potty area, ensuring they go to the bathroom rather than getting distracted by playing.
Using Bells for Communication
If you’ve opted for hanging bells as a communication tool, the process remains similar. Once you reach the partially open door, wait until your puppy’s sniffing action causes the bells to jingle. Immediately praise them, offer a treat, and open the door. Remember to have these bells present and jingling every time you take your puppy outside during this phase to reinforce the association.
Bathroom Trips Only: Separating Business from Pleasure
It is critical during this training period to reserve the “outside” ritual strictly for bathroom trips. Avoid mixing “business with pleasure” by not playing in the designated potty area immediately after they relieve themselves. This distinction helps solidify the prompt “do you want to go outside” and the skill of “asking” for a specific purpose. When you are going out to play or for a walk, use different phrases to announce these activities, distinct from the “bathroom trip” cue. This separation reinforces the specific meaning of the “ask to go outside” command. It is perfectly fine and encouraged for your puppy to relieve themselves while playing or walking, but the explicit separation of the “bathroom” ritual is to solidify the prompt and the asking skill.
Hopefully, this provides a clear path forward. Enjoy this next stage of training; you’re nearing the finish line!
For further guidance, you might find these articles helpful:
- House Breaking 101
- Crate Training 101
- Your Puppy’s First Couple of Weeks: Tips to Make the Transition Easier
Wishing you the best of luck with all your puppy training endeavors!
