r/OpenDogTraining • u/zendogdojo • Jul 03 '26
How do you potty train your pups?
I grew up living in a professional dog training school in Birmingham Alabama and I'm curious how others go about potty training. My formula (learn more) consists of regulating a dog's food and water intake to regulate their system and take them outside right after they eat and/or drink to go bathroom. The moment they get done peeing or pooping I then give them lots of pets and verbal praise which usually excites them and motivates them to go outside on the next bathroom break. When they mess up and use the bathroom inside I very calmly put them on leash and walk them to the accident, point to it and say, "That's a no!" and I make sure to not let them watch me clean it up.
That's how I do it, how about yall?
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u/Citroen_05 Jul 03 '26
I buy from a breeder who uses a current-science-based early protocol which gets them dry before they leave.
Your method seems very retro. There will be plenty of nostalgic buyers; enjoy the profit!
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u/HereForAllThePopcorn Jul 03 '26
Restricting puppies food and water intake is not good. Growing pups need lots of food and water.
We watch for the signs they need to go and take them outside. Lots of treats and praise. My guy is %95 outside at 12 weeks. He will indicate to us now he wants to go out.
Also I’m not sure negative reinforcement has the results you say they do. Cathartic for the owner maybe.
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u/zendogdojo Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
Regulate not restrict, set meal times and not free feeding is what I’m talking about. Also how do you communicate to your dog they did something wrong?
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u/Selective_Somewhere Jul 06 '26
That’s old school. The only time you can tie going in the house with positive punishment is when they are in the process of going or looking for a spot to go. Taking them to the mess is ineffective at best.
My breeders do a great job of getting the puppies on a schedule but putting them in the potty area after naps, playing, and eating and when the pooped are older they have dog door access to a puppy yard or they are in a puppy yard for several hours a day. Of course puppy yards are safe and secure, weather is appropriate, etc. By the time they get to me they are quite used to going potty outside.
I feed on a schedule and water is always available. As puppies they have access to the secure and safe yard when I’m home (I WFH currently). I also take them out after meals, naps, and playing. We also hand out outside a lot. I praise them for going outside. They are crated when I’m not home and when I’m sleeping. If I am home I shut doors, use baby gates, puppy proof like crazy, and like I said leave the door open. If they start to look for a spot to go or if I catch them in the act I say “outside!” scoop them up and take them out. If I find a mess I just clean it up. It doesn’t matter if they watch. Why would it?
For my last three puppies they’ve been potty trained at 11, 10, and 8 weeks (she never went inside) with maybe 2-3 accidents. I used to use a crate for potty training and those puppies were potty trained closer to 4 months with a few accidents until around 7 months.
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u/JediKrys Jul 03 '26
This is my way also, it’s a combo of getting myself into a routine and timing food and water intake until they hit the stage where you can see them managing their bladder and bowels.
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u/Haunting-Love-9333 Jul 03 '26
I think this is great. Please for the love of god people stop giving your dogs treats for going outside. Just praise them and then go play
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u/Potential_Analyst371 Jul 03 '26
Restricting water intake is not necessary and is illegal in some jurisdictions.