What techniques/methods can be used to train a puppy to do it's business on command?

Question

We are getting a labrador pup, and I have been advised to train her to do it on command. Can anyone advise the best method of achieving this? Thanks!

Answer 1

I have a labrador and have had him since he was 6 weeks old. He was toilet trained within a week. You have to be persistent and consistent and use the same word each time. I use 'wee wee' and if he has any in him, he goes. I usually only have to do this at night when i am going to bed and I want him to empty out so as not to wake me in the night. He holds alot anyway though and can go for hours without a wee, typical male LOL!

When he was small I would put him out every couple of hours and say 'wee wee' and only let him back in the house when he had done one. When he has done it, give lots of praise and a treat so they associate the word 'wee wee' with the action.

With a lab you need to be more concerned about their appetite, they eat everything and anything so get ready for some mayhem! Mine has eaten or tried to eat - mobile phone, packet ibuprofen - (trip to vet to get stomach pumped), 16 snicker bars, cat flap, 2 doors, 12 packs of crisps, 6 raw eggs and on and on...

Enjoy though, they bring so much joy, even when they are being naughty buggers!

Answer 2

This is possible although its not really pooing or weeing on command but rather teaching your pup to know that its ok to go here and now when you say that word.
When you take your pup out to go toilet in the garden always say 'quick' 'go now' or whatever you want your signal to be. Reward when the pup goes repeating the word.
By the time you get to taking the pup out for a walk you will be able to say the command word in the area you want her to go and she'll relax and do a wee!
It comes in handy when she gets older too. You can say the word when you are in the house and if she perks up and goes to the door you know she needs to go!

Answer 3

Oh it's possible!!! Well perhaps I can't make my dog "go" but she understands what I want when I give the command. If she has nothing in her, she gives a squat anyway, just to please me.

Go to the same spot, every time (when at home.) Take some treats out with you and have them ready. If you want this command to be transferrable to other places then just your backyard, you may want to use a leash.

Keep putting the puppy in the general area you want to use, and the first time, you will just have to wait till he/she "goes" on her own. I would suggest you take him/her out at least once an hour at first. While you are waiting, say your command word over and over, "go pee" or "go on" or "hurry up" or whatever.

Then when puppy "goes", treat and praise, praise, praise. Make a big deal over it every time.

Repeat this until the puppy associates the action with the word. You may want to also implement a hand signal, as hand signals are easier for dogs to pick up on then words.

Once puppy has the backyard down pat, you will have to re-teach this in other places. Dogs don't generalize so just because puppy knows what it means in the backyard, doesn't mean he will get it at the park.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I take them out, then I repeat the "command". Use whatever you're comfortable with, I use "Hurry Up", the local guide dog school uses "Busy Busy", some people use "Potty", the word itself doesn't matter as long as you use the same thing every time. When the pup relieves herself, give her a treat and tell her what a great dog she is.

This can be very useful, for example if you're travelling.

Answer 5

Its very easy to train, every time it does its business along with the praise for doing it outside reinforce a word such as wee wee on average it takes a dog 100 repetitions to enforce a command, just be consistent that's the key...

It does work trust me...Of course it cant go if its not there that common sense duh!! (above posters) would you make it wee on command then expect it to do it 5mins later?? get some common sense will you............Theres a need sometimes to not be able to wait until your dog has sniffed every living plant/bush/stone and its a handy command to have..

Answer 6

It will take awhile, but both my girls pretty much go on command now.. Every time you take her out, when she starts to go, say Good Potty!!! over and over and emphasize potty.. eventually they would play around but as soon as I say, Ok lets go potty, they will 9/10 squat on the spot and do their buisness.. I have the added bonus though, that my girls think they melt in the rain and neither of them are keen on being out in it any longer than absolutely nesc. :) Patience is key, it will take time, but eventually they will associate you saying potty, with them doing their thing.. Just dont ask while they're in the house if they need to go potty :) lol

Answer 7

Ufortunatly I don't think it is possible. I know you can train cats but I have never heared of training a dog. They do sell dog litter boxes though, you could try this if it is a small dog. I love dogs but I just don't think they are that smart.

Answer 8

What!!! Do you think you could go to the toilet when commanded to do so? Oh come on, it's impossible! And I don't think it's healthy for a dog to hold it in until it's allowed to go.

Most dogs will go to the toilet after a meal.

Answer 9

I command you to go for a crap now, immediately! Still here then? Doesn't work, they go when they need to just like you and anyone else.

Answer 10

i dont think you can train an animal to "go" if it diesnt need to. its like taking someone with an empty bladder and making them pee anyways