Potty training a rescue dog: Help them know when to go

Congratulations, you’ve just adopted a beautiful rescue dog - paw-some! Now comes the less fun side of pup parenting: housetraining. Potty training a rescue dog is an important part of settling them into their new forever home. As a larger part of their new routine, it’s good to know how best to handle bathroom breaks, particularly if this is all new to them.

As always, we at TrustedHousesitters are here to help where we can! We’ve put together some tips on house training a rescue dog to avoid as many accidents as possible. Let’s not hold it in any longer and dive in paws first to learn about potty-training rescue dogs.

Potty training a rescue dog

Assess if they’re house-trained

Before you start to work out a potty training routine, you need to know whether or not your new furry family member is even housebroken, especially if you’ve adopted an adult dog. Housebreaking an older dog will require extra patience and commitment to training to help them understand the dos and don’ts of bathroom breaks.

Rather than wait around for a potential accident in the house, see if they respond to the commands of ‘go pee pee’, ‘go to the bathroom’, ‘go potty’, or ‘outside’. Notice if they indicate to you they need to go - do they scratch or whine at the door, do they hold it in until they’re allowed outside? Watch and learn is a great place to start.

The importance of crate training

When you welcome a new pup into your family, crate training is always near the top of the list of training tips from professional trainers. Not only does it create discipline, but it also provides pups with a safe place to snuggle. For a rescue dog, this is super important. You may not know their history or, if you do, they may need extra reassurance and care. A calm crate tucked under the stairs or in a corner covered in blankets is perfect for them.

Crate training is also key for potty training at any age. Using a physical barrier to help them hold it in helps them understand where they can and can’t use the bathroom. If you come down in the morning, open their crate, and find everything is pee-free, give them a big cuddle, treat, or whatever makes their tail wag!

Make and keep to a routine

Yes, yes, yes! Dogs need a routine to be happy and having structure to their day also helps with all kinds of training. Including designated bathroom breaks is helpful for both you and your pup to structure your day (and lets them work out how long they’ll need to hold it). Even with adult dogs without motor issues, potty training a rescue dog should start with frequent breaks to accommodate them first as to where to go before you move on when they can go.

A good diet and exercise are key

Healthy eating and regular exercise are something we should all be too! But with a newly adopted rescue dog providing a balanced diet with plenty of exercise also assists with house breaking. Both will keep your pup ‘regular’ and keep their digestive systems moving smoothly (which will also help you to predict when it might be toilet time).

Never punish a dog for an accident in the house

If you’re housebreaking a rescue dog, in fact, potty training any pup at any age, accidents will happen. Sorry pet people, it’s all the price we pay for opening our doors to these wonderful woofs! So, when it does happen, it’s best to know how to deal with said situation.

Pups respond best to positive reinforcement, not punishment. This is true for all dogs, but especially when housebreaking a rescue dog. Negative reinforcement or any form of punishment could be triggering for pups with unknown or traumatized backgrounds. It’ll cause your dog to be scared of you, and a frightened dog can be a dangerous dog. For your own safety and their mental health, make sure their potty training is a patient and calm experience.

Have you had to potty train a rescue dog? Do you have any tips for new pet parents also looking for advice? Why not share your wisdom and spread the love on our Community Forum - connect with other pet lovers from around the world through an admiration for animals. Not a member yet? Well, have a look at our different membership plans, see which one could suit your lifestyle best, and become part of the pet-loving explorer community!