My dog ​​won't learn to use the toilet! Common mistakes and how to fix them

When bringing a beloved dog home, one of the first issues owners struggle with is potty training.

"My dog ​​just can't seem to remember where the toilet is."
"He was successful at first, but now he's failing more and more."

Toilet training a dog is extremely difficult, and many owners struggle with their dog's toileting routine. If your dog won't learn to use the toilet, it may be due to the way you're training them or the toilet environment. Dogs are very clean, so the toilet environment is very important.

And if you don't do it the right way, you won't see much progress.
This article is for owners struggling with potty training their dogs. We'll introduce some common dog toilet mistakes and how to deal with them.

If you're worried about your dog's toilet habits, be sure to check this out.

A story of a troublesome dog's toilet training

The first issue that first-time dog owners face is dog toileting.

The truth is, every pet owner has struggled with their dog's toileting issues at some point. Don't worry, your dog's toileting problems can be resolved with patience.

Here are five stories of troublesome toilet-training dogs.
You might be making the same mistakes as your dog.

① Dogs can use the toilet in their cage, but fail when they play outside too much

First, let's talk about the problem of your dog being able to use the toilet in its cage, but failing when you play outside too much.
This is a story that often leaves owners scratching their heads, wondering, "Why does my dog ​​fail when I play, even though he can use the toilet in his cage?"

In fact, this problem is shared by many dog ​​owners. It's heartwarming to see your beloved dog engrossed in play, but even when he's engrossed in playing, it's best to remember to use the toilet.

② Dogs make an accident on the carpet and can't be cleaned up

Dogs making an accident on the carpet is a common mistake.
Once they do, cleaning up after them can be a real pain. Carpets are prone to absorbing odors, and stains can be difficult to remove.
Dogs recognize areas that smell like their own excrement as toilet areas, so if you can't get rid of the odor, it can be very difficult to clean up afterward.

③ Successful in the crate, but failure when taken out

As you potty train your dog, successes will gradually increase, and he will become almost perfect at using the toilet in his crate.
This is a very happy moment for owners, as you can see your dog's growth.
However, it is also true that many dogs will have potty accidents when taken out of their crate.
Dogs sometimes mistake soft materials in the room, such as carpets and mats, for toilet sheets.

You may feel discouraged, thinking, "I thought he was perfect...," but be patient and continue potty training.

④ Excrement spills out of the toilet

Many dog ​​owners are probably troubled by the problem of excrement spilling out of the toilet. It's a situation where you might think, "There's a place for them to go, but... it's so close!"
You're just one step away from success, so don't give up and keep potty training.

The day when your dog will use the toilet without any problems should be just around the corner!

⑤ Potty Accidents While Left Alone

The problem is that your dog can use the toilet without any problems when you're around, but has accidents when you're away.
When you're away, you can't keep an eye on your dog, which can be very worrying.
If your dog even has an accident in the toilet, it can be very stressful for the owner.
Some owners even say, "I started putting a webcam in the room because I was worried about my dog."

As an owner, you'd like to keep an eye on your dog at all times, but this can be difficult when you're busy.

What to do if your dog won't toilet train (environment and training)

Here, we'll introduce some tips for dealing with your dog's toilet-related issues.
We'll explain each method in detail, dividing it into the environment and basics sections.

Environment

Let's take a look at the environment your dog needs for toileting.

The Location of the Toilet is Important

The location of a dog's toilet is very important.
Dogs are very clean animals, so they generally dislike having their sleeping area and toilet in the same place. They also dislike using the toilet in their own territory.

If the toilet is too close to their sleeping area or territory, they may end up holding it in or mistaking their territory for a toilet and defecating all over the place.

For this reason, try to keep the litter box away from your dog's living area as much as possible. If your dog continues to hold it in, it may develop illnesses such as cystitis. If your dog can manage to eliminate only during walks, that's fine.

However, it's a good idea to train your dog to eliminate in a designated litter box (a designated area) in case of bad weather or when you can't take them for walks.

If You Make a Mistake, Don't Leave a Smell

Dogs have an incredibly keen sense of smell.
They can detect pungent odors 100 million times more easily than humans. When your dog makes a mess and you clean up the waste, are you properly deodorizing it? Even if the waste you cleaned up seems odorless to humans, your dog's keen sense of smell may still be able to detect the odor.

Dogs have a habit of repeatedly defecating in places that smell like their own feces. Therefore, it's important to thoroughly deodorize the area after an accident. Care must be taken, especially on fabric products like carpets, as odors tend to linger. If your dog repeatedly fails on fabric products, consider removing them until your dog learns to use the toilet.

To prevent the same mistake from happening again, thoroughly remove the odor from areas where your dog has had an accident using an unscented deodorizing spray.

Training

Let's explain how to toilet train your dog.

Try your best for the first three days

The basic principle of toilet training your dog is to keep trying for at least three days, even if things aren't going well.
Dogs are very intelligent animals, but they won't perfectly remember where the toilet is after just one training session.

Be patient and take your dog to the toilet at the same time as it needs to go. Continue training multiple times and build up success, and gradually help your dog learn where the toilet is.
If your dog is a puppy, they will have frequent opportunities to go to the toilet, so use these opportunities to train them.

Take your time with your dog and work hard together without rushing.

Timing of praise is important

The most important thing in potty training your dog is praise.
And the timing is also very important. Take your dog to the toilet and praise him immediately once he has used the toilet in the designated place. If you wait a while before praising him, he won't understand what you praised him for, and it will be less effective.

By immediately praising your dog, you can make him realize that he was praised for using the toilet there, which is a very happy experience for him.
By accumulating successful experiences in this way, he will naturally learn where the toilet is.

Even if your dog has an accident, never get angry. If you get angry immediately after using the toilet, your dog will mistakenly think that you're scolding him because he used the toilet. Your dog doesn't like being scolded by you, so they will end up holding it in.

Holding your dog's pee isn't healthy, and it can be worrying for you.
If your dog has an accident, don't get angry. Instead, clean up quietly and calmly.
By being patient, your dog will surely learn where the toilet is.

Summary

We've introduced some common dog toilet mistakes and how to deal with them.
Toilet training a dog is very difficult, and many owners struggle with it, as it must be started from the day they bring their dog home.

Especially for first-time dog owners, if things don't go well repeatedly, you may feel like giving up. However, the most important thing when potty training a dog is persistence.

Don't give up if things don't go well after a little training. Persevere with your dog for at least three days.
Continue potty training until your dog perfectly masters using the toilet.

Take advantage of your dog's habits and think about the best training method for your dog's current environment.