Can I train my dog to go potty inside & outside?

Question

I have a 2 month old Toy Fox Terrier and I am currently crate training him. I'm trying to train him to go potty outside, but I work during the day and leave him in his crate. Should I train him to go potty on a pad or something similar while I'm not there? What I'm asking is would it be too confusing for the dog to try and train him to go to the front door to go outside when I'm home, but to go to a puppy pad when I'm not home?

Answer 1

That would be very confusing for your dog, and couterproductive. You'll slow the process down. I also don't recommend pads or litterboxes because dogs often develop house soiling issues when these are used.

Have a trusted friend or pet sitter come to let your puppy out while you are at work.

You can read my full housetraining article here http://www.tiaspetplace.com/housetraining_your_puppy_or_dog.htm

Answer 2

Yes. I would move to the largest crate you can afford. Set up an area at one end for bedding, food and water with the potty papers at the other end. Don't take him outside to potty until he no longer needs the crate and uses the paper consistently. It worked great for my Yorkie. At first she would potty outside by accident when she'd smell where another dog had gone but she eventually started wanting to potty outside. She'll go outside, which is handy on car trips; but, use the papers in bad weather, at night, etc. I now use it for a male we took in as a stray. I drap one paper over the side of a cardboard box and put another on the floor, overlapping the edges. Also, have him neutered ASAP so he won't ever pee to mark his territory. I've found WalMart has the cheapest pads; about $7 for 32.

Answer 3

I'm guess I trained my dog to do that in a way.

When I got her at four months we would take her out constantly and reward her and praise her for going outside. However there are times when I not able to be home (4-5 hours is the amount of time I would leave her by herself/

I did not leave her in the crate when I was gone, because she has her "own" room (at my place) or we put her in our bathroom which is huge (at my boyfriend's place). I would put pads down in front of the entrance way and around the room, because it is easier to clean up and the dog gets the idea of where to go (not all over the bathroom but in this one spot). Besides the entrance way I try to put it where she might go the most. She's young and is not able to hold her pee for the whole 4 hours that I am gone.

Now she is 6 months old and when I am gone she is going on the papers/puppy pads. When I am at home she runs to the door or alert me that she needs to go out. I praise her for everytime that she goes outside and give her a treat, when she goes inside not on the carpet I say a firm no to her, but when she goes on the paper I don' t punish her.

Some say it slows the process down and confuses the dog, but it working for me and training her still going on, but I think she pretty much has the idea and is very smart to alert me. Everytime she goes to the door we take her out, but she's slow in the process due to the changes of scheduling and living in two places @ once. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aMQvB

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 5

adult dogs can "hold it" pretty much all day as long as you let her out in the morning before you leave...while shes a puppy i would put a puppy pad down in the crate cuz they cant hold it as long or yes by the door if you wanted her to go there all you have to do is train her to go where you want but it will take longer probably for her to get it so youlll have to be patient with the accidents inside until she learns

Answer 6

how long are you gone? most dogs can hold their urine, when older than 2 months for up to 6 hours just fine. as long as you're not putting water in their crate, and making sure going outside is the first and last thing you do before putting them in our taking them out of their crate. otherwise, purina does make a product which is a dog litter box for small dogs to use for this instance. but don't punish the dog or be too surprised if this become his "choice" place to poo and pee. but it's easier than all over your house. but i would keep him in the crate if it's not for too long until he's older and you know he can't get into or will tear up anything that could harm him while you're at work.

the best solution as not to confuse the dog is to if you can have someone let him out in the middle of the day and play with him, this will not only give him a chance to play but also add exercise to his day which he needs anyway.

Answer 7

yes u can, you can use any way u want to, my friend made his dig train by putting a bell on the door knob so when it needs to go outside it hits the bell, what i did is that they have these pads at stores for dogs, and when the dog starts to go to the bathroom pick it up and put him on the pad and keep on doing it until he gets it, we he gets that he has to go to the bathroom on the pad move the pad closer and closer to the door and then eventually but the pad outside , so eventually it will get that it will have to go to the bathroom outside, and if u want the dog to still go inside keep the pads and the dog should go to the bathroom on it

Answer 8

Yes. You can train your dog to potty inside and outside your house. Your dog always want to please his master. You need to bring him always out as frequent as possible. For example: went your dog wake-up you need to bring him out or where you want him to relief, potty or doing his business. After each meal, about 30mins after the dog finish his meal you need to bring him again outside. Before you sleep at night, again you need to bring him outside. This things will be learn by your dog if you give him a positive reinforcement. This will also depend how consistent you are. Hope this will help you.

Answer 9

I don't like the idea of any animal being locked up while its owner is at work and I do believe what you want to do with your dog is counter-productive. Why is the dog not aloud out to be free and go to the toilet where he wishes i.e. the backyard.

Answer 10

yes this would be very confusing to the poor doggy. So chose inside the house on newspaper or a litter box