Choose an area where you would like your pup to toilet – this might be a pee pad on your apartment balcony or in a bathroom, or outside. The moment your pup indicates it needs to go, take it to this area. This teaches them that they need to go to this spot or area when they feel the need to go to the toilet.
If your yard doesn't have grass or you want a designated potty area for your dog on a small apartment patio, purchasing a Fresh Patch Disposable Potty is a great idea. Grass is often the surface of choice for dogs when they need to go to the bathroom, which may make toilet training easier.
Take your puppy outside frequently—at least every two hours—and immediately after they wake up, during and after playing, and after eating or drinking. Pick a bathroom spot outside, and always take your puppy (on a leash) to that spot.
If your dog is peeing in the house, it could be because your dog is simply still training, aging, or showing signs of a more serious urinary tract infection. Below, we break down why your dog could be displaying inappropriate urinary behavior.
You can use cinder block, garden trim, or the like to create a nice-looking potty yard. Garden trim that's high enough to hold the pea gravel is necessary. It usually is driven into the ground so it won't move around. You can get as fancy a barrier as you choose.
Pea gravel consists of smooth, round pebbles that are comfortable for dogs to walk on. It also looks nice, is excellent for drainage (which is super important for a dog potty), and is reasonably priced.
UNDERSTAND NORMAL DOG BEHAVIOR
It is not instinctive for dogs to relieve themselves outside; it is only natural for them to not go where they sleep. Everyplace else is fair game!
There is no evidence to suggest this method works.
Dogs who are punished in this way are more likely to avoid toileting within sight of their owners as they learn their owners are unpredictable and scary. This presents issues because your puppy will be worried about peeing in front of you, even outdoors.
Vinegar. Just like citrus, dogs cannot stand the smell of vinegar. It seems that a dog's heightened sense of smell is not keen on acidic smells, vinegar being another very acidic substance. It is worth noting that dogs are more repelled by the smell of vinegar than they are by lemons and oranges.
Because the vinegar is acidic, it will neutralize the bacteria in the dog pee, offsetting its odor. Vinegar is pet safe, effective, cheap, and eco friendly. Let the vinegar solution sit for 3-5 minutes or carefully follow the instructions on the cleaning product's label.
If you spot them mid-pee, pick them up gently – they should stop – and then set them down on the pads to finish their business. Praise and treat! On the occasions you do take your puppy outside, try to time it so you know they will need to go to the toilet and go crazy with praise.
Important note: Although you can leave potty pads in your puppy's playpen to absorb any accidents they may have, this on its own won't potty train your puppy. This is why we recommend following a potty training schedule to teach them how to “hold it” and where to potty when it's time to!
If your dog is still a young puppy in the process of potty training, try another outside "business trip" after waiting 10 to 15 minutes; if they still don't go after 1 to 2 minutes, go back inside, and wait another 10 to 15 minutes before trying again.
Dogs use the Earth's magnetic field when they're relieving themselves. Not only that, but canines choose to do so in a north-south axis, a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Zoology says. The study suggests that dogs are sensitive to small variations in Earth's magnetic field.
Also, cats and dogs don't drink as much water as humans, so pet urine is much more concentrated and much more odorous than human urine.
The methodology of observing the dogs freely exploring the experimental area allowed us to determine the smells that were the most attractive to them (food, beaver clothing). Our study shows that dogs interacted more frequently with the scents of blueberries, blackberries, mint, rose, lavender, and linalol.
There are a few alternatives to puppy pads that you might like to consider when your new dog arrives. The most popular options include paper, fabric, or dog potties with artificial or real grass. Or using a different method of house training that does not involve lining the floor.
When your dog sniffs before pooping or peeing, they are checking for scent marking from other dogs. So, if you have wondered why do dogs sniff the ground on walks, the answer is that they are using their instincts for safety and information.
It's important to note that just because your dog can hold their urine for eight hours, it doesn't mean they should. If a dog is forced to hold their pee in for an extended time, it could impact urinary health and cause medical conditions such as urinary tract or bladder infections, crystals, or kidney stones.
Do: Watch the Clock. Give your puppy 15 minutes to do his business. If nothing happens, put him in his crate for another 15 minutes before trying again.
Although he physically might be able to do so, extended periods of holding it in can lead to urinary tract infections or urinary crystals and stones. The inability to urine can also lead to behavioral issues. Frustrated dogs can bark, chew, and become extremely anxious, which can lead to a frustrated owner.
It isn't a natural fertilizer like many people would like to believe. Nitrogen, the stuff in dog urine that kills your grass, is also found in dog feces. It's best to pick up the dropping left behind from your proud pooch and dispose of them before they turn your yard brown.
It can be as simple as using an area covered with newspapers or potty pads. But the cleanest and most hygienic solution is a litter box. You can purchase doggie litter boxes, some even come with artificial turf on the top, or you can simply use a large cat litter box.