How to Get a Dog to Pee on Paper

Paper training your dog is basically the same as any other type of potty training. It needs to begin early in your dog's life and you need to consistently teach your pet what is expected. Training a dog to potty on papers works particularly well for small dogs, especially those who are primarily indoor pets. Paper training also works very well for owners who have difficulty getting outside due to age or illness, or for city dwellers whose access to appropriate outdoor places for dogs may be limited.

Things You'll Need

  • Newspapers
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose an out of the way corner in your house to use for your pet's potty, such as the bathroom or laundry room. Cover the area with a thick layer of papers. Use extra papers and in the beginning, cover a large area.

    • 2

      Confine your dog in the room with the potty place while training. The room should preferably have a floor that is easy to clean, such as linoleum. Young dogs under the age of 12 weeks need to toilet frequently until they learn to hold their bladder.

    • 3

      Take your dog to the paper at regular intervals, such as upon awakening, after feeding, following naps, and before bedtime. Say the pet's name first, then use a key word or phrase, such as "Go potty." When you remove the soiled papers, always leave a lightly soiled one to teach the dog to come back to that area.

    • 4

      Every time your dog uses the paper successfully, give lots of praise and a small treat. Clean up any accidents outside of the paper area immediately, using white vinegar and water solution or a pet shop product to help eliminate odors. This is important because you will not want your pet to be attracted back to an inappropriate place to potty.

    • 5

      Remove some of the papers every week until you are covering only the small area where the dog prefers to eliminate. Be sure to clean the potty place daily and flush any solids immediately. The process will take at least several weeks of diligent attention, but the outcome will be worth the work.