To say you can't teach an old new tricks is not entirely true; you can actually teach a senior dog. In fact, because adult dogs already have bladder control, in many cases they train faster than a puppy. That said, if you expect to successfully house train a senior dog, you need to know a few senior training tips and be consistent with your efforts.
Things You'll Need
- Crate
- Treats
- Odor eliminating cleaner
Instructions
Take time off to train your dog. It is best to get a new dog when you have the time to invest in training. To train a senior dog, you need to make sure they have a midday bathroom break. If your schedule cannot accommodate taking a few days off, you can hire a dog walker or come home on your lunch break.
Start house training a senior dog the instant you bring him home. Dogs don't like going the bathroom where they sleep, so if you confine your dog to an appropriately sized crate when you are not around, he will house train rather quickly. Take him out before he goes into the crate, immediately upon taking him out of the crate, and before and after meals.
A dog's crate should be large enough for him to stand upright and turn around in. It should not be large enough for him to go the bathroom in one corner and lie in another.
If you aren't a fan of using a crate for your dog, keep a few things in mind. Dogs often like having access to a den-like space because it feels safe and secure to them. Additionally, senior dogs house train rather quickly, so if you are consistent they will only need to be confined for a few days in most cases. After that you can leave the crate up with the door open, so your dog can come and go as he pleases.
Take your dog out at least half a dozen times a day when you start training him. Take him out immediately when you get up and then again before you go to work. During the day he should go out twice and then again twice in the evening, once before he goes to bed for the night. After your dog is trained you can reduce the frequency of outings to four times daily.
Reward your dog with praise and a small treat when he goes the bathroom outside. Make sure you do it right away so he understands what he has done to make you happy. Never punish or scold a dog when he has an accident; dogs respond better to positive reinforcement than to negative.
Clean up accidents right away. Use a cleaner that removes odors. Many pet cleaners have live bacteria or enzymes that are designed to break down the stain, not just cover it up with fragrance. Dogs have a strong sense of smell, and if they can smell their urine at all they may continue to go in the house.