Have you ever found yourself enduring endless waits in adverse weather, patiently urging your canine companion to relieve themselves? Many dogs seem to take their time finding the perfect spot to “go,” but with a little training, you can teach your dog to potty on command, saving you time and frustration. This skill proves invaluable not just during inclement weather, but also when preparing your dog for a public outing, or even if you’re working on how to teach a pitbull to lay down. It’s also incredibly useful before entering buildings, when traveling, or if you plan to show your dog in conformation or performance events. Furthermore, teaching your dog to potty on command is a valuable asset during vet visits if a urine or stool sample is required, or when utilizing an indoor potty solution for senior dogs.
Selecting Cues
It might sound too good to be true, but it is entirely possible to teach your dog to pee or poop on cue almost anytime, anywhere. To clearly differentiate between the two behaviors, it’s best to use separate verbal cues for peeing and pooping. You have complete freedom to choose any cue you prefer. Common examples include straightforward commands like “pee” and “poop,” or more subtle options such as “showtime” and/or “business.” The key is consistency in your chosen cues.
Toy Poodle joyfully running through a lush green field
Teaching Your Dog to Potty on Command
The excellent news about teaching your dog to pee and poop on command is that you are essentially adding a verbal marker to a behavior your dog already performs regularly. This significantly simplifies the training process, as you have multiple opportunities to practice throughout each day.
Starting to teach your dog to potty on command is somewhat akin to revisiting their initial potty training as a young puppy—you’ll need an ample supply of treats and a generous amount of patience. The most effective method for this type of training is known as capturing, where you introduce a verbal cue precisely when your dog is already in the act of going potty. To implement this, you will combine an audible marker and a reward, such as a high-value treat, with the natural behavior your dog is exhibiting, which, in this case, is urinating or defecating. This method is effective for many behaviors, similar to teaching your dog how to train a dog not to pull on the leash.
Step 1: Anticipate and Prepare
Anticipate when your dog is most likely to need to potty, such as immediately after playing or waking up from a nap. Be fully prepared with treats readily accessible when you take your dog outside for their potty break.
Step 2: Observe Quietly
While your dog is sniffing around and searching for the ideal spot to pee or poop, refrain from saying anything. Allow them to naturally begin the process without any verbal prompts.
Step 3: Get Ready to Cue, Praise, and Treat
The moment your dog initiates the act of peeing or pooping, get ready to introduce your cue, offer praise, and prepare your treat. Timing is crucial for successful capturing.
Step 4: Cue as They Finish
As your dog is nearing completion, begin to praise them (or click, if using a clicker) and introduce your chosen verbal cue. It’s vital to only use your cue when your dog is actively going potty. Waiting until they are nearly done can prevent them from stopping prematurely upon hearing the click or praise, ensuring a full and successful potty break.
Step 5: Use Cue as They Start
After several successful repetitions, as your dog begins to make the association between the verbal cue and going potty, you can start to use it right as they start to go. For instance, as your dog stops circling and squats to potty, say “showtime” or whatever cue you have selected. When they finish, offer enthusiastic praise again with a phrase like “yes showtime” or pair it with your click (if you’re clicker training) and a treat.
Step 6: Practice with the New Cue
Following several days or weeks of building this understanding, where your new cue is consistently paired with your dog either about to start or actively going potty, it’s time to consciously use the new cue. Take your dog to a calm, familiar spot and give them your potty cue. When they successfully pee or poop, reward them generously with praise and treats.
A Pug dog relieving itself in a field of tall green grass
Keep it Consistent
Consistency is always paramount in dog training, particularly when teaching your dog to potty on command. You must be extremely consistent in pairing your dog going potty with your verbal cue of choice and a positive reward. To make this process easier, consider keeping a small bag of treats right next to your door, so they are always within reach when you take your dog outside. This consistent approach is also key when addressing issues like how to get a stubborn dog to walk on leash.
Once your dog fully grasps the cue, they will often “try” to potty anytime they hear it, even if they don’t truly need to go. This might manifest as lifting a leg or quickly squatting to squeeze out a small amount of pee or poop. Be sure to highly reward these efforts, as they are a clear indication that your dog understands and is responding to the potty on command behavior.
Keep Training Fun
While the primary motivation for teaching your dog to potty on command is often to avoid prolonged waits in cold or wet weather, it’s essential to consider why your dog might have previously taken their time. For many dogs, being outside in the yard or on a walk is a highly enriching experience. Consequently, they naturally want to prolong this enjoyable activity.
As you are teaching the potty on command behavior, continue to reward your dog with treats and praise for their successful efforts. However, resist the urge to immediately rush back into the house right after they pee or poop. If you consistently do this, your dog may begin to associate the cue not just with getting a treat, but also with the abrupt end of their enjoyable outdoor time, which can be a problem if my dog pulls on the leash and chokes due to excitement. This negative association can make your dog reluctant to perform the desired behavior. To prevent this, in addition to verbal praise and treats, ensure you also provide environmental rewards. For example, after they go potty, cue them to go sniff, continue your walk for a few more minutes, or throw a toy for them to fetch.
Dog owner cleaning up after their pet with a pooper scooper
Diversify Locations
When working to ensure your dog is reliable with their potty on command, it is crucial to practice in as many different locations as possible. Begin in your dog’s usual and comfortable potty spots, such as your backyard or the sidewalk directly in front of your home. Once they are consistent there, gradually introduce new environments, like walking in an unfamiliar neighborhood or visiting a local park.
Dogs are situational learners, meaning they often associate behaviors with specific environments. Unless you practice a new skill in a variety of places, they may struggle to perform that behavior confidently in a novel situation in the future. By practicing the potty cue in a diverse range of circumstances, your dog will begin to generalize the skill, making it easier to manage their behavior in public, much like mastering how to teach a dog not to pull on lead. This comprehensive practice will be especially helpful if you ever need them to go on a potty pad indoors due to weather or illness, or in any other place that might initially seem strange or unfamiliar to them.
Teaching your dog to potty on command is a highly practical skill that benefits both you and your canine companion. By implementing consistent training methods, using clear verbal cues, and ensuring the experience remains positive and rewarding, you can empower your dog to perform this essential function reliably and efficiently. Remember, patience, positive reinforcement, and a diverse range of training environments are the cornerstones of success in this endeavor, leading to a more harmonious relationship and fewer frustrating waits.
