How do i know when my dog is potty trained?

Question

I know this sounds like a silly question, so I will explain. I have a 10 wk old boxer, i have had him for a week. He is in a crate when i am not home and does not go in his crate. When we are home, we are really on top of him, and he has only had one accident. How will i know when he is actually trained, and that its not just me being extra good about taking him out frequently?

Answer 1

Sounds to me like he (and you) are doing better than most. TYPICALLY, dogs will NOT relieve themselves where the rest and / or eat, unless they just can't hold it anymore. I'm not sure what the duration of time you leave him alone in the crate while you're gone, but puppies of that age (especially males) have a hard time holding anything past an hour and a half to two hours. If he is doing so, consider yourself fortunate.

The best indicator of being trained is the sign to the door in which he goes out to potty. My oldest lab was about 13 weeks when she got the whole door-to-potty outside concept. My younger male lab didn't get this concept until much later, about 18 weeks. During this time, he still had accidents inside if we weren't watching like hawks. Leave him alone in the house for increasingly longer periods. If they are going to go, it will happen towards the beginning of being left alone. They are most prone to separation anxiety during this time and can't help themselves. If the duration gets longer and longer, with no accidents...you're there.

Be sure to keep the reward system going...EVERY TIME! He goes outside, does his business, REWARD with you praising him, i.e. "Good Boy! Good Potty Outside!" The love the treat, as well as the praising.

Keep up the diligence. It sounds like you are down the right path.

Answer 2

He may start acting funny when he has to go; pacing around, whining, etc. Unfortunately, you may still have accidents until then but you're doing the right thing with crate training. You just have to continue doing what you're doing! Good luck.

Answer 3

i was going to respond when he pees outside by letting you know he needs to go out and not inside. but i did read the rest of your question and i have to add sounds like you are doing a great job! a 10 week old pup that's only had one accident shows you are doing it right. just expect that a pup cannot control their bladder fully until around 6-8 months of age. until then just keep up the good work.

Answer 4

he will not soil his den at all (reasonably) can't be home alone for 24 hours or anything. a dog does not have full bladder and bowel control till they are 8 or 9 months old sometimes longer. when he has an accident say ah ah and immediately take him outside alot of people think ah well he already went but the dog will not associate the ah ah unless you take him right out then he gets it see? never spank it shames them and makes them think potty outside or in is shameful.

Answer 5

It usually takes months to be completely trained. When they stop going where they shouldn't, this usually means they are trained. They wont go in their crate.

Answer 6

well, i don't know since you're crate training him, but I know for most puppies that are indoors, when they start to whine and scratch at the door to go outside to the restroom is how I've always known.

Answer 7

My vet said when you have one month without a single accident, then you can consider your pup potty trained. Staying on top of him is what will help him train faster.

Answer 8

when he asks to b let out is the best sign.
When he heads for the door the second u let him out of the cage is another good sign.
good luck

Answer 9

if you take your dog out a few minutes after u feed him and u give him praise when he does its busiess. it wil eventuall understand theres nowhere better for it to go than outside.

Answer 10

when he goes to the door and either whines or scratchs to be let out and then actually does something outside, have fun with your new little one!! :)