How to Potty Train Stubborn Dogs

Consistency is imperative when training a stubborn dog.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your dog just doesn't seem to get the idea of what potty training is all about. He may be an older dog who is not used to being in a home or a puppy who came from a home where he was not housebroken. In addition, some dogs seem to have a mind of their own and refuse to obey your efforts to housebreak them. When you have a stubborn dog, it's time to try some new techniques.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Animal crate Potty training pads Newspapers Treats

1. Prepare an area where your dog has limited access in your home. This might involve putting up a toddler gate across a doorway or keeping him a kitchen or a laundry room. His area should have only solid surface flooring, no carpeting. Put his crate in the area. Your dog's crate must be big enough that he can comfortably stand, turn around and stretch out when lying down.

2. Place newspapers on a large part of the floor in her area and place a potty training pad in the middle. These pads are treated with pheromones that tell your dog to "go here." Make a separate feeding area, preferably outside for now, although you must provide fresh water for your dog at least once per hour.

3. Devise a feeding and napping schedule. Stubborn dogs are often used to eating and napping on their own schedule, which leads to them assuming they can do whatever they like, whenever they choose. Puppies need to eat at least three times a day; older dogs should have two mealtimes. Until your dog is housebroken, his napping and overnight sleep times must be carefully controlled, as well.

4. Take your dog to the newspaper or outside (preferably) to eliminate immediately after she wakes up from a nap or as soon as she finishes eating. The younger your dog is, the more important it is to move her quickly after these two activities to her elimination spot. This is where patience and consistency come in. Stay with your dog, either in the yard or while on leash and tell him, "Go potty." Allow her to sniff the ground and walk about until she goes.

5. Keep treats in your pocket and reward your dog with one as soon as he goes in the right spot. Lavish praise upon him, saying, "Good potty, good potty" so he understands the relationship between his potty and your praise.

6. Crate your dog until she learns to go in the correct spot. Crating is not inhumane if done correctly. In fact, dogs come to love their crates and often go there of their own accord to get away from people and other animals. However, you must keep your dog in her crate no longer than a couple of hours at a time during the day and no more than six hours overnight. Each time you let her out; take her immediately to his potty spot.

7. Stay consistent. Stubborn dogs need strict adherence to schedules and limitations. You dog wants to please you but you have to teach him how. Older dogs need not be difficult to train if you are consistent in your methods.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean up potty accidents immediately. Dogs use their noses as indicators of where to go potty and when they smell residual urine odors, they naturally think that is the place to go. Take a potty accident to his potty pad or outdoors and leave it there. Some dog breeds are notorious for being stubborn when housebreaking. If you have trouble with a terrier, a pointer, a setter or a Chihuahua, you must be extra consistent with the dog's sleeping, eating and potty walking schedule. Just one slip-up can set you back to square one.

• Avoid using harsh words or smacking a dog that has a potty mistake. A dog who was potty trained but suddenly begins having accidents may have a medical condition. See your veterinarian to rule out any physical problems.

Resources

• Order potty training pads.
• Find a crate to suit your dog.