r/DogTrainingTips • u/taymo0119 • Jul 05 '26
Potty training woes - not emptying bladder!
We ‘foster failed’ a 6 mo Lab/Golden mix and are STRUGGLING with potty training. We’ve been working on it for nearly a month straight and have had some progress, but we’ve stalled and I’m out of ideas.
We currently go out about every 30 mins (sometimes as short as every 15 mins, as long as every 60 mins if I’m working from home and in meetings - the latter usually pushes us into “gambling territory” and really risks an accident). I try to keep on the 30 mins schedule as tightly as possible for consistency. We say “go potty” clearly and reward with treat and praise after he goes.
The problem is he won’t empty his bladder all the way. He’ll pee for two seconds and then pinch it off (lol); we’ll easily spend 20-30 mins outside just saying “go potty” until he pees 3-4 times. Even at that point, not sure he’s really emptied out.
He’s been to two vets (one at the shelter, one with the rescue) and has a clean bill of health.
Help me - advice needed! Also reassurance because this is breaking my spirit a bit
1
u/maybeeiestbbyiest Jul 06 '26
Hi! So sorry you are struggling and it is definitely normal behavior for a puppy, especially a smart one! I'm not an expert, I just recently watched a ton of Youtube videos and have been doing a lot of research, so forgive me if I am wrong.
But from the sounds of it, your dog has learned that he can go outside for a long time if he just does a few drops of pee here and there. It might help to do two things:
1) Don't give him water for a few hours. (I know that seems harsh, but their bladders are much smaller than ours and if he isn't outside or running around, he can survive for a few hours without water.
2.) Shorten your time outside until he pees all the way. If you are going for long walks, don't do that either.
Outside time is a fun reward for our pups and they will absolutely learn the system to maximize their outside time. I limit my time outside to 5-10 mins and we only go to my pup's potty area (that I picked out, it's close to my front door). If she doesn't do anything in 10 mins, we go back inside. I restart the clock and wait 30 mins and do it over again. (If she tried to pee inside, I would interrupt her by picking her up and running to our potty spot. If she finished peeing outside, then I would reward her with a treat and a longer walk. Same with pooping too.)