Pets do the same thing that humans do, and that is to eliminate waste from their system.   Are you just starting to house train your dog? Or perhaps you’ve tried unsuccessfully? In any case, here are a few simple tips to help you on your journey with training your pooch.  

Your parents “trained” you to use the bathroom and were probably patient in teaching you to use the bathroom in the appropriate place.  As your parents were patient with you, you should be patient with your pet as you train him to eliminate at the designated potty spot.   

In general, house training a dog (whether a puppy or an adult dog) requires you to have a lot of patience, commitment, vigilance and, most importantly, consistency. You’ll experience a few setbacks every once in a while like an accident in the house, but don't lose hope, your pet will learn the rules. 

People who have a short fuse are at risk of not accomplishing the house training objective for their dog. You have to recognize that before, during and the end of the training.  You have to give your pet room to learn the house rules.

Select a potty spot outdoors

Pick a specific place in your yard where your dog will go potty and always make sure you take him to that spot. While he eliminates, you can use words or phrases such as “go potty.” You can eventually use such words before he eliminates to remind him what to do. 

Know bathroom breaks

The “go potty” pattern to establish is to take your dog outside in the morning, after each meal and one more time before going to sleep. 

If you want to avoid increasing the chances of your pet needing to relieve himself more than usual, then don't give him any extra food or water during the latter part of the day.   

Puppies can control their bladder 1 hour for each month of age while adult dogs can go for over 8 hours. 

Never give your pet the opportunity to eliminate in the house; this could grow into a bad habit. Be sure to always keep an eye on him anytime he's indoors. You should also be on the lookout for signs that he needs to eliminate.  

If you notice him barking, squatting, circling, restlessness or sniffing around, grab the leash and take him outside to his potty spot.  Avoid going any longer than the duration of his bathroom breaks, or else he’ll eliminate in the “wrong” place.

If you spend a considerable amount of time away from home, you might have to hire a dog walker or assign a person to give your dog his bathroom breaks. 

Supervise your dog

By nature, dogs love to follow their owners. If you haven’t adequately trained him to wait for you instead of following you throughout the house, then he has no clue of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable in the house.  

An excellent example of house boundaries that have not been set is when your dog has followed you to your bedroom as you get dressed to take him outside to potty.  You have to correct this habit by training him to wait for you by the designated exit door.

The way to solve this problem is to teach him a command to get his leash and train him to sit by the exit door. Thus, this gives you time to go to your bedroom as he waits for you by the exit door. You have to make sure he uses the same door for exiting when it is time for him to go outside to potty.
  

Dogs love to follow the rules, and they are pack animals so using the same door to exit is quite basic but an essential step that is assigned to your dog for him to perform. You have your house rules, so it is up to you to enforce the rules of the house. 

Reward your dog

Another tip for house training a dog successfully is to reward him every time he follows your commands or eliminates outside. Rewarding your dog helps during the training process because your dog will begin to pick up on what he is doing that is giving him the affection, praise, and treats. You will start to notice a significant improvement in your dog's obedience to the reward technique.   

The point is to do it consistently and appropriately. Praise your pet when he relieves himself in the right spot. For maximum results, be sure to reward him immediately after he obeys your command to "go potty," but not after he comes back indoors.

Equally important, you should realize and accept that accidents inside will happen occasionally. Refrain from yelling at or punishing your dog. You have to keep telling yourself that this is all part of the process of house training.

If you are diligent, repetitive, and encouraging while training your dog, then in due time, your dog will understand your commands and will eliminate outside at the designated spot. 

House training your dog is a process that takes some time and dedication. Hopefully, with these tips, you are on your way to a well-trained dog.