While house training, you should accompany the dog outside at every potty break.
The process of house training an older dog is the same as potty training a young puppy. However, the process may take longer and you may have to exercise more patience. A puppy has no bad habits to break while an older dog has behaviors that have to be changed as part of the training process. There is one aspect of training an older dog that is easier than training a puppy. Older dogs can wait longer between potty breaks and they are unlikely to need to go out in the middle of the night.
Instructions
Preparation
1. Take the dog to a veterinarian, especially if it is newly adopted. Before beginning to house train, you want to ensure the older dog has no medical issues that will make the training process more difficult.
2. Set up a small area in which to confine the dog. A crate works great or you can add a baby gate to a kitchen or bathroom. Provide your dog with a comfortable bed, water bowl and toys. This will be the dog's "den" and dogs are less likely to void in their "den."
3. Establish a schedule for your dog. As the dog comes to know when to expect to be taken outside, the dog will be more likely to wait. Potty breaks should be first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps and right before bedtime. In the beginning, it's ideal if you can take the dog outside every few hours.
Breaking Old Habits
4. Thoroughly clean any areas where the dog had an accident in the house. White vinegar is a good option for removing odors that you might not smell but that your dog can. If the dog can smell the odor of past mistakes, the dog will be more likely to go in the area again.
5. Confine the dog in its "den" when you are not directly supervising it. You want to eliminate chances that the dog will go inside because you are trying to break the dog's habit of going whenever it chooses. You are also trying to help the dog develop bladder and bowel control.
6. Supervise the dog constantly when it is out of its "den." If you see the dog moving into a position to void, say "no" loudly and use an established word to indicate that you are going outside. Put the leash on the dog and take it outside.
Potty Break
7. Speak a word, such as "outside" or "potty," each time you begin the process of taking your dog for a potty break.
8. Put the leash on the dog and accompany the dog. It's important that you go with the dog during the house training process, even if you have a fenced yard. You want to be there to immediately praise the dog when it goes and to ensure that the dog does its business. You must stay outside with the dog until it urinates and/or defecates. It will only take a few days before you know your dog's schedule and you'll know what to expect at each break.
9. Take the dog to the same location at every potty break. This is important so that the dog knows immediately that it is outside to potty and not to play or go for a walk.
10. Give the dog a treat and lots of praise when it does potty outside. Do this immediately, not after you get indoors.
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