How to train a senior dog for apartment potty and prevent accidents?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Toy Poodle | Female | spayed | 15 years and 2 months old | 7 lbs
My 15 year old poodle is use to being let our od the yard to "go" . However, I am am moving out of my parents house to an apartment. How can i training her to "go' on walk. Also could I start putting her in pan to help keep new place clean of accidents when I am at work?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 18th, 2018
I would start by putting her on a leash and walking around with her in the yard she is used to using to go to the bathroom, so she can acclimate to being leashed and having you near her when she goes to the bathroom. You can also start using a command word for her peeing and pooping and giving her a treat along with the command word when she goes. For example, if you see her peeing outside say "Potty" and give her a treat. This will help her associate the word with the action and then when she is out on a walk you can try saying the word to encourage her to do the action (and follow up with a treat). You can also get her adjusted to a pen by putting it in your house now, and placing her bed/toys inside with the door open to encourage her to use the pen.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on July 22nd, 2020
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Katie. How lovely of you for taking in a senior dog! So many people won't, and it's amazing when someone does. I would treat her like a puppy in terms of potty training, and I will give you the potty training method that has always worked for me. Start by keeping her on a regular feeding schedule, and taking away her food between meals. Take her out to potty first thing every morning, and once every 30 minutes to an hour. Always make sure she goes out after meals, first thing when she wakes up from a nap, last thing before bedtime at night, and right before you leave the house. Take her to the same spot each time to go potty. Her scent there will encourage her to go. Stay with her outside each time she goes to potty, at least until she is fully house trained. When she goes outside, praise her and give her a treat. You might want to consider crate training as part of her house training. It allows you to keep an eye on her for signs that she has to go potty, and will teach her to hold it until you put her outdoors. The crate needs to be big enough for her to stand up, turn around, and lie down, but it should not be big enough for her to go potty in. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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