You have probably wondered just how to get your dog to go to the bathroom on its own. After all dogs are pack animals and need to relieve themselves when they are house trained. So why not make it an enjoyable experience by teaching them the right way to go. Here are some dog training tricks you can try.
The first thing is to show your dog how to sit. This is more of a general tip rather than a dog training trick but you can try this when your dog does not understand what you are asking of it. Show him the bowl of wet newspaper and say, “Sit.” He will look at you with his head low and sit. If he does not sit, repeat the exercise but this time say, “Use the paper.”
If your dog sits, do not praise him. Give him a firm “No” and lead with that. This will establish a pattern of behavior and soon he will sit on command every time you give the command. Do not use a treats or praise system.
Next you want to take your dog to the bathroom and hold it by its leash. Lead it to the designated toilet area and have him sit down. Then say, “Good boy,” and give him a dog treat. Eventually your dog will sit on the toilet seat without you having to lead him there or even asking him to sit down.
If your dog begins to go potty while you are away, pretend to be busy so that you do not notice him going potty. When you return, ignore your dog. Have your dog sit beside you while you go to the toilet and watch what he is doing. When you return, pet him and praise him? If you see him going to the bathroom, again ignore him until he learns to sit by your side.
You can also teach your dog how to get to the toilet by using an electronic clicking device. These are widely available and relatively inexpensive. They are battery operated and are great for training your dog. Many dogs do not like being taken to the bathroom and the clicking device will simulate the actual click sound that you would make if you were at the bathroom.
When your dog begins to sit on the toilet, have him stay there and do not move. Praise him enthusiastically as he sits. When he becomes calm, lead him to the designated bathroom area and have him sit. Again, ignore him when he goes potty and then lead him to the designated bathroom spot. This will help to reinforce this behavior and you can remove the “toilet seat” when you feel the dog needs to relieve himself.
The ultimate goal of toilet training is for your dog to use the toilet in the correct place. You want to show him that you are in charge and take him to the spot that you choose. If you follow these dog training tips for learning how to get your dog to go to the toilet, you can train your dog to do his business in the bathroom. Your dog’s life will benefit from this simple exercise.
Potty training your dog should begin immediately after birth and continue at least once a year. Dogs require plenty of exercise to be healthy and happy. They need to have a good, safe place to relax and do their business. To help your dog learn to relieve himself safely and in a timely manner, set up a regular schedule for him to do his business. It may take a few days to a week or even two weeks but eventually, he will get the idea and will head for the toilet each time you tell him to.
As your dog begins to sit on the potty, praise him profusely and offer him a treat. If he does his business in the designated area, offer him a treat as well. As he starts to understand what you expect, remove the treat. However, continue to praise and encourage him as he goes to the toilet.
If you find that you are not able to toilet train your dog on your own, contact an animal trainer who can assist you and teach you how to toilet train your dog. There are also many dog training videos and ebooks available on the internet that can help you. Remember that patience and persistence are key factors in dog potty training. Do not get discouraged if it takes more than a month to train your dog. Your dog will reward you with lots of love and lots of success!
