Housetraining an adult dog?

Question

I am considering getting a dog that is one year old. He has been an outdoor dog all his life and is intact. What is the best way to potty train an adult dog and teach him to mark his territory outside and not in my house?

Answer 1

I've kept any number of adult dogs that for whatever reason have not been housetrained. Take him out immediately on waking in the morning, last thing at night, right after every meal, once during the middle of the night (set an alarm clock), whenever he looks like he wants to go, and as many additional times as you can manage.

Anytime he goes to the door, praise him and take him out, so he knows that is how to ask to go outside.

It's a tough schedule, but you'll find that an adult dog usually picks it up very quickly since unlike puppies they already have full-sized bladders and some control over them. I've not had one that needed more than a few days to a week to no longer need all the in between and middle of the night trips out. They then soon settle down to a morning, night and after meals routine.

Every time he 'does his business' outside, praise him enthusiastically. If he does it in the house, tell him off firmly, but only if you catch him in the act. Use a strong voice at low pitch rather than shouting or shrieking, and use the same word to tell him off every time - I use "shame" because you can say it in a very low pitch and still sound powerful. If he does it in the house and you don't catch him, don't say anything about it, just clean it up thoroughly.

Stick to the routine, be patient, and he'll quickly learn what's expected of him.

Answer 2

Crate train him. This means keep him in a crate when you are not around to watch him. He will come to associate the crate with being his "den" and won't mind going in it. Make sure that you stay positive and do not scold or beat him if he has accidents. If he potties indoors, take him outside & say "outside". Thus, he will come to associate going potty with the outside. You should also get him neutered to reduce his urge to mark.

Good luck and thanks for saving a life!