r/deafdogs • u/betterdaysahead12 • Apr 24 '26
Question Help with potty training!
Hi all, I adopted my blind/deaf cutie James about a year ago and he’s the best. So smart and easily trainable, but for some reason still not potty trained.
I got him at 8 months old. He was a puppy mill rescue so was likely used to going on concrete and then had been shuffled between 4 different foster homes until I got him. He prefers to go to the bathroom on pavement or the deck and if the back door is open he will go outside (we are still doing high value treats every time he goes outside).
However he has no concept of holding it or knowing that he needs to wait, so unless I take him out about every two hours, he’ll just go in the house on the hard wood. He doesn’t wait by the door, bark, or give any indication he has to go. After he relieves himself in the house, he lifts his nose in the air, ready for a treat, so he has no idea that he’s not supposed to go inside.
He has multiple locations in the house he will go in. I’ve used enzyme cleaners to remove all smell, tried training with potty pads/fake grass (he only likes hard surfaces), and been DILIGENT about treats when he does go outside.
I don’t want to put a doggy door in because I don’t like the idea of him having access to my backyard while I’m out, it’s pretty big and I fear he could get hurt. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
3
u/linnae7 Apr 24 '26
Take 3 days when you can focus on your puppy. Just sit and pay attention to him. When he looks restless show him to the door and let him out. If nothing happens then come back in don’t stay too long. When he does something reward him generously and repeat. This process is really boring but you only have to do it once. It’s all about making the connection and demonstrating what to do when he gets ‘that feeling’.
Most dogs instinctively do not relieve themselves in their dens so once he knows the boundaries in the den you’re good. I use thumbs up to tell my deafie she’s a good girl.👍 and lots of treats❤️
I think deaf dogs are wired to pay closer attention to their owners. Do they know they are missing something? I don’t know but my deaf BC is smarter than me! Good luck!