Potty training a puppy is a journey, and reaching the stage where your puppy communicates their need to go outside is a significant milestone. This article builds upon foundational potty training principles, guiding you through the process of teaching your puppy to actively signal their desire to relieve themselves outdoors. It’s essential to have a solid grasp of the basics before introducing these more advanced techniques to ensure a smooth and successful training experience.
Prerequisites for Advanced Potty Training
Before embarking on this next phase, ensure you have consistently followed the protocols outlined in “[house breaking 101](https://www.thedogsway.com/house-breaking-101-pups-first-few-weeks/ “”house breaking 101″”)” for several weeks. This means your puppy should have met the following goals:
- Consistent Schedule Adherence: You have diligently followed the schedule provided in the previous article.
- No Accidents: Your puppy has had no accidents indoors during the entire training period.
- Early Signs of Signaling: Your puppy may have already begun to indicate their need to go out on their own sometimes.
Skipping these crucial steps can lead to setbacks and prolong the overall potty training timeline.
The Goal: Encouraging Your Puppy to “Ask”
The primary objective of this phase is to foster the understanding that your puppy needs to communicate their need to go outside. We achieve this by creating a scenario where your puppy realizes they require your assistance to access the outdoors. This is not a new, separate ritual but an add-on procedure to your existing routine.
Implementing the “Add-On” Procedure
This technique is best applied during periods of supervised indoor time, specifically when your puppy has access to the door you’ve been consistently using for their potty breaks.
Letting Your Puppy Smell the Outside
During this transitional training period, keep the designated door slightly ajar. The opening should be sufficient for your puppy to smell the outside air but not so large that they can exit independently. For sliding patio doors, simply pull the door open an inch or so. For regular swinging doors, an old-fashioned wedge-type door stopper works effectively. Alternatively, a security door chain can allow the door to be cracked open while maintaining a degree of security. Some clients have also installed security bolts in their sliding doors to achieve a similar effect without compromising external security.
Encouraging “Going Outside” Signals
Begin your established “going outside ritual” each time your puppy starts sniffing the outside air through the slightly open door. Ask, “Do you want to go outside?” while they are sniffing. Pause for a few seconds to a minute, observing for an affirmative signal from your puppy. Signals can include whining, a small bark, or pawing at the door. If you notice your puppy moving away and intently sniffing the floor indoors, gently usher them towards the partially open door. Wait for their signal indicating they want you to open the door further. Have your leash readily available to lead your puppy outside promptly. It’s crucial to supervise these bathroom trips by keeping them on leash initially, rather than allowing them to wander freely.
Utilizing Bells for Communication
If you’ve chosen to use hanging bells as a notification method, the procedure 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 these bells jingling every time you take your puppy outside during the initial phase of training. Learn more about effective potty training techniques for puppies.
Encouraging Bathroom Trips Only
It is critical during this training phase to reserve the “outside” ritual strictly for bathroom breaks. Avoid mixing “business with pleasure” by not allowing 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” to go out.
HINT: When going outside for play or a walk, use a different phrase than the one you consistently use to announce “this is a bathroom trip!” This ensures your puppy understands the specific purpose of each outing.
NOTE: While it’s encouraged for your puppy to relieve themselves outside during play or walks, explicitly separating the “bathroom” ritual from these other activities is key to reinforcing the “asking” behavior.
Conclusion
Mastering the skill of asking to go outside is a vital step in comprehensive house training. By consistently applying these “add-on” techniques, you’ll foster clear communication with your puppy, leading to a well-behaved and reliably house-trained companion. With continued practice and patience, you are nearly there in completing this important training stage.
Additional Resources:
- House Breaking 101
- Crate Training 101
- Your Puppy’s First Couple of Weeks: Tips to Make the Transition Easier
