Successfully house training a puppy involves more than just establishing a schedule; it’s about fostering clear communication. Once your puppy consistently follows a routine and avoids accidents indoors, the next exciting step is teaching them to actively indicate when they need to go outside. This phase builds upon your existing progress, empowering your puppy to become a proactive participant in their house training journey. By establishing this communication, you’re not only preventing accidents but also deepening the bond and understanding between you and your canine companion.
Prerequisites for Teaching Potty Signals
Before introducing the concept of your puppy signaling their needs, ensure you have successfully completed the initial stages of house training. This means your puppy should be reliably adhering to a set schedule, as outlined in foundational guides like “house breaking 101”, and must have gone a significant period without any indoor accidents. Ideally, your puppy may have already started showing subtle cues that they need to go out. Skipping these foundational steps can lead to setbacks, prolonging the overall house-training timeline.
The Goal: A Puppy Who Asks to Go Out
The primary objective in this advanced stage of puppy house training is to cultivate the understanding that your puppy needs to communicate their urge to go outside. We achieve this by creating a scenario where the door to the designated potty area is left partially ajar. This slight opening allows your puppy to sense the outside environment – the smells, the air – without being able to exit independently. This controlled access is designed to help them realize they require your assistance to fully open the door and access the outdoors for elimination.
Implementing the “Ask to Go Outside” Procedure
This technique is an add-on procedure, best implemented during periods when your puppy is supervised indoors and has access to the door used for their regular potty breaks. For sliding patio doors, simply crack the door open an inch or two. For traditional swinging doors, a wedge-type door stopper can effectively maintain a slight opening. Alternatively, some pet owners find success using a security door chain on swinging doors, which allows the door to be slightly ajar while still providing security. Similarly, security bolts can be installed on sliding doors to achieve the same effect without compromising home security.
Encouraging Signals When Outside Smells Beckon
Begin reinforcing the “going outside” ritual every time your puppy shows interest in the outside air coming through the partially open door. As they sniff the air or the door, gently ask, “Do you want to go outside?” Pause for a moment, allowing your puppy time to respond. Common signals include a whine, a soft bark, or pawing at the door. If you notice your puppy moving away from the door and intently sniffing the floor, it might be a cue they need to go. Gently guide them back to the door and wait for their signal. It’s beneficial to have their leash ready to ensure a prompt exit and to maintain supervision during their bathroom trips, preventing them from getting distracted by playtime in the yard.
Utilizing Bells for Potty Signals
For those who prefer using hanging bells as a training tool, the process is similar. Once at the partially open door, wait for your puppy to nudge or otherwise cause the bells to ring. The moment the bells jingle, praise them enthusiastically, offer a high-value treat like those found at crazy dog training treats, and then open the door for them to go outside. It’s important to have these bells consistently jingling during the initial phases of training whenever you take your puppy out, so they associate the sound with the action.
Distinguishing Bathroom Trips from Playtime
During this crucial training period, it is vital to exclusively associate the “outside” ritual with bathroom breaks. Avoid mixing “business with pleasure” by not engaging in extended play sessions in the same area immediately after a potty break. This distinction helps solidify the prompt “Do you want to go outside?” and the skill of “asking” for a potty opportunity. While it’s perfectly fine and encouraged for your puppy to relieve themselves while playing or on walks, explicitly separating the dedicated potty ritual from playtime ensures they understand the specific purpose of the signal. If you plan for playtime, use a different phrase to announce it, distinct from your potty-trip cue.
This advanced stage of house training is a significant step towards a well-behaved and communicative dog. By patiently guiding your puppy through these steps, you are almost at the finish line of comprehensive house training.
Additional Resources:
- House Breaking 101
- Crate Training 101
- Your Puppy’s First Couple of Weeks: Tips to Make the Transition Easier
Happy training!
