Toilet Training for Adult Dogs

Toilet training is easiest with young puppies. Once a dog has grown up, habits (or lack thereof) can be harder to break (or teach). While it might take persistence, and clean-up will likely be part of the process, it is possible to toilet train an adult dog. Determining the reason for the dog's elimination problems is the first step in conquering them.

  1. Causes

    • There are many reasons why an adult dog might not be toilet trained. Some dogs spend their puppy-hood outdoors and are never taught how to "hold it." Others might have a medical problem that interferes with their ability to wait until they are let out. Sometimes emotional stress or a dramatic change in living arrangements can affect a dog's elimination behaviors. Whatever your situation, a trip to the veterinarian is always a good first step to rule out medical problems before beginning potty training, according to the website PetPlace.com.

    Medical Problems

    • According to the website Veterinary Partner, urinary tract infections can make urination painful and frequent and often results in accidents. Intestinal parasites can make urination and defecation urgent. Dogs that have orthopedic problems can have a hard time squatting or lifting a leg to eliminate and might prefer to stay inside, where soft surfaces provide some pain relief and they can rest part of their body on a couch or a pillow.

    Newly Adopted Adult Dogs

    • Many dogs who are adopted have accidents when they first go home with a new family. These dogs are often the easiest to train because they've already been trained once before. Establishing a routine and taking your dog out every day at the same times can help him adjust, according to the website of Doctors Foster and Smith. Praising him lavishly when he does the right thing can help him to learn what you expect of him.

    Dietary Problems

    • A diet high in fiber can irritate a dog's digestive system and can result in urgent and frequent defecation. Additionally, changes in your dog's diet can irritate his digestive system to the same effect. If you have recently changed your dog's diet and have noticed an increase in accidents, you should change it back or try something else, according to PetPlace.com.

    What Precipitated the Accident

    • If you have a trained dog that only sometimes improperly eliminates where he shouldn't, noting the circumstances surrounding the episodes can help you determine the appropriate response to his behavior. If he has accidents while you're home but in another room, try keeping an eye on him until he learns to go outside every time. If he has accidents while you're out, he might be experiencing separation anxiety, according to the Sacramento SPCA. Addressing the anxiety by keeping your dog calm can help. Rewarding him when you come home (but only if he hasn't had an accident) can also send the right message. As always, consulting a veterinarian if your efforts aren't working is always a good idea.