How to Potty Train a 5-Month-Old Dog

Potty training a dog can be difficult work, but having patience and starting when your pet is a puppy will be very important. One of the major keys is teaching your dog that it is not to eliminate in its sleeping area. For most dogs, this comes naturally because they enjoy a clean and unsoiled sleeping area. When your dog has an area that it can feel safe and secure in, you will have a less difficult time with potty training.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic or wooden crate
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a crate for your dog. If the crate is too large, your pet may choose to sleep in one end of the crate and potty in the other end of the crate. The crate should just be large enough for the dog to walk in and turn around without hitting its head. Remember that your 5-month-old dog is still a puppy and may grow a bit before it reaches full size.

    • 2

      Lure the dog into the crate by saying "crate" and placing dog treats in the back of the crate. The dog will go into the crate by its own choice and you will be able to shut the door. This exercise will show the dog that being in the crate is pleasant. After some time the dog will learn to go into the crate on command and without treats.

    • 3

      Keep the dog in the crate when you cannot watch it. Untrained dogs will soil a floor if left unattended. Let the dog out every three hours to go to the bathroom. Dogs younger than five months need to go out more often, while older dogs can usually be let out less often. Bring the dog outside and give it a command such as "Go potty." Say this command every time you bring the dog out to go to the bathroom. If you have the dog out of the crate to play, try to stay outdoors. Otherwise, you will need to be on the lookout for circling and sniffing that usually precedes urination.

    • 4

      Be consistent. For some dogs, learning to urinate or defecate outdoors is a quick learning process. However, other dogs may take several months. The best way to get a potty-trained dog is to work at it every day. As the dog gets better at holding its bladder, you will be able to allow it more freedom in your house. Remember that dogs usually need to go to the bathroom right after waking up in the morning, after playing, and after eating or drinking.