A Guide to Potty Training Your Dog to Go in One Spot

When you’re potty training your dog, it’s important to keep things simple and easy. The more relaxed you are about it and the less stressed out they are, the faster they’ll learn.

Go with your dog to a designated spot

You should take your dog to the bathroom with you. If possible, choose a spot and go there regularly. This can be in the backyard or on a walk around the neighborhood (you may have to wait until they’re done sniffing, though). Make sure that your dog knows that this is where he’s supposed to go; he’ll be more likely to pee in that spot if he sees himself going here often.

Place a reward at his feet as soon as he puts his paws down on the grass. The reward should be something like food or playtime—whatever motivates him most.

Consider buying real grass potty training pads

If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option, real grass potty training pads from Fresh Patch Australia are a great choice. These pads are biodegradable and can be composted when you’re done with them. You also won’t have to worry about your dog tracking mud or other debris into the house from these durable products.

If you’ve never used grass potty training pads before, there are a few things you should know before making your purchase:

• They are easy to clean up after use, but they can be expensive compared to plastic alternatives.
• It is important that your dog understands how this type of pad works so he doesn’t start using it as his personal litter box.

Have patience

Patience is key. It can take anywhere from two to six months for your dog to become potty trained, so don’t rush the process. Don’t force your dog to go in a certain spot and don’t punish him if he doesn’t go there immediately, either. Your dog will get there in time; all you have to do is be patient and let him/her learn at their own pace.

Reward good behavior

If you want your pup to do something, you must reward good behaviour. This is the same principle that works with children. If they behave well and do what their parents say, they will be rewarded with a treat or a toy, or some kind of positive reinforcement. The same principle applies here, if your dog does what you ask them to do, give them praise and/or treats.

Don’t shame or punish your dog

This is a common mistake among owners who are trying to potty train their dogs, but it’s not one that you want to make. When you use harsh words like “potty” or “accident,” they can take on negative connotations, making your pup more reluctant to go where you want him to go. You also don’t want to use the word “messy,” as this can imply that he made a mess on purpose, which could cause him stress and confusion if he didn’t mean for it to happen at all. The same goes for the word “bad”—you don’t want your pup feeling guilty about something he didn’t do wrong.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to teach your dog to use one spot as its toilet. As we mentioned earlier, getting your dog used to going in one spot can take time and effort, but it is well worth it for the convenience of not having to clean up after them.

About the Author

Patrick Watt is a content writer, writing in several areas, primarily in business growth, value creation, M&A, and finance. Other interests also include content marketing and self-development. Say hi to Patrick on Twitter @patrickwattpat.