Toilet Training for senior dogs

Bringing home a senior dog is a heartwarming experience. There's something incredibly special about giving an older dog a second chance at a loving home. However, with this joy can come a few challenges, one of which might be potty training.

When adopting an adult dog from a shelter, there's a good chance they were housetrained in their previous home. But life in a shelter can be different and inconsistent. Your new furry friend may not have had regular opportunities to go outside, leading to some understandable lapses in their housetraining. Plus, the new environment, filled with unfamiliar scents and perhaps other pets, can trigger some unexpected behaviours like urine marking.

Adjusting to a new home takes time for both you and your dog. You’re learning each other’s signals and establishing new routines. Even if your dog was a pro at letting their previous owner know when they needed a bathroom break, you might miss these subtle cues initially. This can lead to indoor accidents you and your dog would rather avoid.

This guide can also be helpful for those with a senior dog who is housetrained but may be having accidents due to age, new smells, or a range of other issues. It might sound tedious, but beginning from scratch with a solid housetraining plan can help. They’ll likely catch on quickly, but patience and consistency are key.

Creating a consistent routine

Just like us, dogs thrive on predictability. Establishing a routine helps your dog understand when and where they should go and strengthens the bond between you and your new furry friend. Take your dog out at the same times every day. Consistency is key. Start by taking them outside first thing in the morning when they wake up, then again when you return home from work, and once more before bedtime. This regularity helps your dog’s body clock adjust, making it easier for him to anticipate bathroom breaks.

When your dog does the business outside, make it a celebration. Praise lavishly the moment they finish, and offer a treat right then and there. Timing is crucial—your dog needs to associate the act of eliminating outdoors with the immediate reward - just like when training a puppy. This positive reinforcement is the most effective way to communicate that you want them to go potty outside.

Choose a specific bathroom spot close to the door and stick with it. Always take your dog, on leash, directly to this spot. The location consistency helps your dog recognise and remember where they are supposed to go. Once they have done the business, you can reward them with a walk or playtime. If accidents happen indoors (and they might at first), take the soiled rags or paper towels to the designated bathroom spot outside. The familiar scent will reinforce that this is the place to eliminate.

Pro tip: Feeding your dog on a set schedule is another important piece of the puzzle. Regular mealtimes lead to more predictable elimination times. Whether you feed him once or twice a day, a consistent feeding schedule will help regulate his digestive system, making it easier to predict when he’ll need to go.

Handling accidents with patience and proper response

No matter how diligent you are with your potty training routine, expect that most dogs will have an accident in the house at some point. This is a normal part of your dog’s adjustment to a new home, and understanding how to handle these mishaps is crucial for successful training.

Accidents are part of the learning process. Your senior dog is getting used to new surroundings, routines, and signals from you. Patience is key. If you catch your dog in the act of eliminating indoors, don’t panic. Make a noise to interrupt—a sharp clap or a firm but not scary "ah-ah" can do the trick. Then, immediately guide them to the designated bathroom spot outside. If they finish eliminating there, praise and reward them with a treat. This reinforces the idea that going potty outside is the right behaviour.

It’s important to avoid punishing your dog for accidents. If you find a soiled area after the fact, it’s too late to administer any kind of correction. Punishing your dog by rubbing a nose in the mess, scolding, or any other form of reprimand will only create fear and confusion. Your dog won’t associate the punishment with the act of eliminating indoors, but rather with you or the presence of waste, which can make them afraid to eliminate in front of you at all.

Instead, focus on cleaning up the accident thoroughly. Dogs are naturally inclined to return to areas where they’ve previously eliminated, especially if the scent remains. Use an enzymatic cleaner to remove all traces of the odour and prevent repeat accidents in the same spot. Remember, your goal is to guide your dog towards success, not to punish mistakes!

Other causes of house soiling problems

If you’ve consistently followed housetraining procedures and your dog continues to eliminate indoors, there might be other underlying issues:

• Physical issues like urinary tract infections or parasite infections can cause house soiling. Talk with your veterinarian to rule out any health concerns.
• Dogs, especially younger or older ones, may lose bladder control when excited or feeling threatened, typically during greetings, intense play, or anticipated punishment.
• Dogs of both genders sometimes mark their territory with urine or feces when they sense their territory is threatened.
• Anxious dogs may soil the house when left alone, often accompanied by destructive behaviour or vocalisation.
• Loud noises can scare dogs and cause them to lose bladder or bowel control.

Ensure a complete and balanced diet for senior dogs

Eukanuba offers a range of senior-specific diet options to suit dogs of all sizes. Our diets support healthy brain function and provide the optimal levels of fats and carbohydrates that help fuel your senior dog's daily activity needs.