Changes in the household or a lack of consistence in a dog's routine can lead to the dog forgetting his potty training and urinating and defecating in the house. This often means that the dog needs to be re-potty trained to reinforce the original training. Because the dog has learned these lessons once before, it often takes less time to re-potty train a dog as it did to originally train him.
Instructions
Create a regular potty routine. Take your dog out at regular intervals so that he always knows when he will be expected to relieve himself. Choosing intervals of four hours or less will make it easier for the dog to "hold it" in anticipation for the next time he will be taken outdoors.
Give your dog praise and a treat every time he relieves himself outside. This will be the major reinforcer of the behavior, so make sure you give your pooch the praise and the treat right away. If you wait until the end of the outdoor trip, or you wait until you are back inside, the dog may not connect the treat and praise with relieving himself. Try to deliver the praise and treat within seconds of the act.
Choose mealtimes for your dog. If your dog is fed on a regular schedule, his schedule of relieving himself will be easier to regulate.
Clean up any accidents that occur in the house or in outdoor areas that you don't want him to use. If he can still smell his own urine odors, he will think that is a good spot to use again.