Housebreaking an older dog can be a scary task. Well, it doesn’t have to be. It is possible to teach an old dog new tricks and that includes potty training. As long as you have a lot of patience, plenty of time, and some organization, then you will be able to housebreak your older dog.
Technically, house training an older dog is a similar process to house training a puppy. The only difference is that it might take your older dog longer to catch on. If they are used to peeing indoors, then it will take longer to break them of this habit and train them to go outside.
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Potty Training Your Older Dog: Puppies vs Adult Dogs
While it’s no secret that most dogs are housebroken when are puppies, there are many reasons why an older dog may not be housebroken.
Some dogs are only kept outdoors and have never learned to live indoors. After they get adopted, their new owners may want them to live inside and now have to work on housebreaking an older dog. Other dogs have lived indoors their entire lives and used to be housebroken but have forgotten how because of stress, illness or their owners were too sick to let them outside.
Older dogs and puppies are potty trained in the same way. Crate training is a tried and true method for housetraining dogs of all ages. It makes potty training easier for both the owner and the dog. Crate training works even better for older dogs than puppies because older dogs can stay in the crate for longer periods. Puppies have smaller bladders and need to be taken out for potty breaks more frequently.
Crate Training: An Effective Tool for Housebreaking
Crate training is an extremely effective tool when it comes to housebreaking an older dog. Your dog may or may not already be familiar with the crate depending on their history. If you don’t have a crate yet, then you can purchase one at your local pet store or online. You’ll want to get a crate that is tall enough for your dog to stand up and big enough for them to turn around. Don’t get a crate that is too big – it should feel like a cozy den for your dog.
Crates also give your dog a warm, safe, and quiet place to go when he or she needs to relax. It keeps him safe when you leave him home alone and gives you a place to put him when you have company. Many dogs learn to love their crate and will sleep in their crates at night.
How to Crate Train an Older Dog
Before you can potty train your dog, you’ll need to crate train him first. It won’t be easy but it is doable. If he’s never been in a crate before, then you’ll have to get him used to it. If you lock him in the first time, he’s going to freak out and never want to go in the crate again.
Location is Important
First, you will need to set up the crate in a room where you and your family spend a lot of time together. The dog doesn’t want to be isolated from his family. A kitchen, living room, or family room is the perfect place for their crate. Even though it’s in a room where the action is, place the crate in a corner or quieter area of the room so it’s out of the way. This will allow your dog to sleep while still being close to you.
Getting Your Dog Used to the Crate
Either take the door off the crate or tie it open so it won’t shut. Throw a new toy or a tasty treat inside the crate and let your dog go inside and find them. Don’t push your dog inside. Let him go inside the crate on his own. He might go inside just for the treats and run out again which is fine. You just want him to get used to going inside the crate. Do this a few times a day for two or three days. Once he’s comfortable with the crate, you can close the door with him inside for a few seconds or minutes at a time. For tips and tricks on how to stop a dog from barking, consider this article.
Warning: Never let your dog out of his crate while he’s whining or barking – unless he just awoke from a long nap. Make sure he’s calm and quiet before opening the door. Most dogs will bark and whine when they are placed in their crate and you may have to wait a while before he calms down. When he does, open the door and let him know that it’s time to come out.
If your dog has just awoken from a nap and whines to get out, it’s okay to let him out. He probably has to go potty.
Using the Crate for Potty Training
Once you can get your dog to go inside the crate and stay calm, it’s time to start potty training him. Keep him inside his crate whenever you can’t keep a close eye on him. Put him in the crate after his first potty break in the morning and give him a treat through the wire. Leave him in the crate for a couple of hours.
When you let him out of the crate, take him outside immediately and encourage him to go potty. When he does his business in the correct spot, give him lots of treats and praise. It’s okay to act like a goofball and go nuts to show him that what he did was amazing. When you get him back in the house, play with him and give him lots of attention. If he didn’t go potty outside, put him right back in the crate when you get in the house. Give him a treat and let him know he’s a good dog.
Tips for Housebreaking an Older Dog
Since your dog is older, he probably has a larger bladder and will only need to go out three or four times a day. An elderly dog may need to go out more often than that, especially if they have poor bladder control.
Make sure you take your dog outside on a regular schedule. Schedule your dog’s meal times for the same time each day to make it easier to predict when your dog might need to go potty.
Finally, have a lot of patience. It can take weeks or even months to fully potty train a dog, depending on how fast they can learn. Never get mad at your dog and always be positive. If your dog makes a mistake and pees on the carpet, don’t put his nose in it or yell at him. Calmly take him outside and show him where to go. He’ll get it eventually. With a lot of love and patience, housebreaking an older dog is possible. It is well worth the effort.
Video: How to House Train an Older Small Dog
Resources
Metro Nashville Animal Care & Control: Crate Training Guidelines
Orange County Animal Services: How To Housetrain Your Dog or Puppy
