Training dogs to defecate and urinate at designated spots is something every dog owner must do. It is one of the most important training projects for dogs. Without cultivating the correct defecation and urination habits, you will very likely find dog feces in any corner of your home when cleaning. Just thinking about it is a headache. Therefore, it is necessary to start training your dog to use a designated spot as soon as possible. Below, let’s take a look with the editor at the methods and precautions for training dogs to defecate and urinate at designated spots.

First, you need to plan a specific area for your dog to relieve itself. If this area is outdoors, it should be arranged near the exit. Otherwise, if the distance is too far or the route too complicated, there will be other distractions before reaching the designated area, making control difficult. If this area is indoors, you need to use a dog toilet. You can choose to place it on tiled floors so that even if the dog urinates outside the toilet, the floor will not be damaged. Or lay something down to protect your floor, such as pet pee pads. Secondly, you need to purchase specialized cleaning and deodorizing products. These prevent the dog from repeatedly defecating in a previous wrong spot due to lingering smells. Finally, set aside a room, dog crate, or fenced area where the puppy can stay safely when it’s not going to the bathroom, helping it feel secure and grounded without feeling helpless. Once prepared, you can start formal training.

When the dog is awake, you can set an alarm to go off every hour. Take it to the designated spot, point, and tell it to go to the bathroom. Always use the same command and body language; it will gradually understand what you want it to do. Each time it successfully goes to the bathroom, promptly praise it or give it a treat.

Timing to bring a puppy to the designated bathroom area should be controlled carefully. Usually, a puppy will start to defecate about 5-30 minutes after eating or drinking enough water. You should bring it to the designated area during this time and try not to let it leave before defecating.

A special reminder: always guide it to the "toilet" before sleeping. Otherwise, your puppy will whine or pace continuously at night wanting to go but unable to get out. Also, immediately take it to the designated spot when it wakes up in the morning to prevent it from defecating in its bedding.

By the end of the first day, you should have a clear grasp of its bathroom schedule. The follow-up work is to maintain consistent training. After seven days, the dog will establish good behavioral habits.

When you are with your dog, you need to observe its signals indicating it needs to go to the bathroom, such as barking, smelling the floor, or circling around. Most puppies will give signals when they need to go, rather than running out the door or directly to the designated corner. Dogs kept in crates or small rooms usually signal by whining or barking to tell you they need to go out.

1. Even after the first week, do not leave your dog in an environment without a toilet for more than 3-4 hours. Around six months old, the dog will have formed basic bodily control and can gradually get used to holding it longer.

2. If you happen to see it squat, use the verbal command "NO" to stop it and quickly take it to the designated spot.

If the dog defecates in a non-designated place, remember to thoroughly clean the floor and spray deodorizing disinfectant (recommended K9 and Saint-Rose) to remove the smell and prevent it from "getting lost" again.

3. The smaller the dog, the more frequently it goes to the bathroom. If it has an accident, do not yell or scold the dog. Instead, let it smell the spot or gently tap it with newspaper. If the dog associates negative experiences, it will cause confusion and a negative mood, or it might simply hide its droppings inside the house. Maybe under your carpet or sofa will become "minefield" zones.

4. The most important step in training is to give plenty of praise and food rewards when it urinates or defecates correctly.