The main focus of toilet training is to establish appropriate substrate preference and understanding these processes, and realigning expectations with reality, help to reduce the considerable distress often experienced by guardians.

New dogs, regardless of age, and dogs in new or exciting places may have toileting lapses. And obviously when dogs are ill, they may have accidents.

So much so, toileting accidents in dogs who have been pretty reliable, indicate that a vet visit is needed.

Dogs for adoption, advertised as ‘toilet trained’ may raise unrealistic expectations. Instead, new dogs who may have appeared toilet trained previously should be given some time after a move. They need time to learn where they go, how they get there, if and when it’s safe, and so on.
Expecting them to be clean right off the bat is not realistic, or fair. As with all aspects of settling in, it takes time and usually more time than we expect.

With young dogs, it’s not physically possible for them to wait and control their urge to toilet, for very long and this isn’t mature until dogs are into adolescence. I tend to find that toileting becomes more reliable by 9-12 months of age, but with so much individual and situational variation.

Establish a toileting routine

Make it easy for the dog to access preferred substrates and toileting spots with very regular trips and extra trips after any changes, activity or excitement.

Most dogs will prefer to toilet on absorbent substrates which makes sense from a hygiene point of view.

• be clear about choosing appropriate toileting areas and recognise how they might be perceived by the dog
• bring the dog to suitable toileting areas regularly, rather than just leave the door open or leave them outside
• prepare a little pot of AWESOME treats and leave them just inside or outside the door
• remain outside with the dog and be boring…business first, fun after
• learn to spot your dog’s behaviours that tell you they need a toilet break and just before they go
  Most dogs will circle, apparently move aimlessly close to doorways and then will circle or pace more purposefully just before they squat.
• remain pretty still and quiet while your dog prepares and goes
• wait for them to move away from the magic-spot and then praise enthusiastically (or whatever works for your dog) and bound back in toward the toileting-treat-pot
  It’s very important that you let them finish – we reward emptying most generously!
• have a treat party: scatter some treats (away from toileting areas), toss treats for catching, play food-games, have some cuddles or relaxing time to bring them down again
• spend some time with your dog after successful toileting
  This is an important step often missed. Our dog toilets, we might reward and then go about our business. The dog learns that toileting ends the fun & interaction so they are trying to hold it…usually unsuccessfully! This is often a troubleshoot for dogs who have accidents after being brought out for toileting.

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With that ongoing…and going and going and going…make sure to do your best to prevent accidents in other areas. The dog having an accident is no big deal – don’t sweat the small stuff, we can build appropriate toileting behaviour.

Accidents are to be expected and dealt with quietly and calmly. Making a fuss, or worse, scolding a dog, about accidents will lead to a dog who is worried about toileting when you’re around rather than teaching them not to toilet in that spot.

Clean it up carefully and limit the dog’s access to that area or context unless they’re empty. Get help for extra guidance and support, the earlier the better.

A note about marking

Marking, as opposed to toileting, often requires extra considerations. It’s social behaviour, rather than just needing to toilet, and can be intensified after sniffing, social interactions, and particularly relating to increased stress levels, social or otherwise.

Establishing a solid toileting routine is still important but there may also be some analysis required to get to the root of marking behaviours.

Get help! Keep a diary of toileting behaviour and the goings on surrounding it, and learn to diligently manage accidents. The fewer toileting accidents your dog has had by the time you call in the cavalry, the more successful we all can be!