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My adult dog isn't house trained. How can I potty train them?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | White Shepherd | Female | spayed | 1 year and 5 months old

How to potty train adult dog?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 14th, 2019

I would use the same methods as with potty training a puppy. Start by keeping Lirril 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.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Maria DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 26th, 2018

    I would recommend crate training Lucy. You must choose a crate that your puppy can stand up, sit down and turn around. Getting a crate bigger then this can lead your puppy to urinate or defecate on one side of the crate while sleeping on the other side. If you have a dog that will be big as a full-size dog then you can buy a crate that will be big enough for when they are older but use a divider to make the crate temporarily smaller. A crate should only create a positive environment. Never use the crate for punishment. Despite what many people think do not line the crate with blankets or beds. The reason is your puppy can urinate on the blankets and beds which can soak up the urine and they can bury the stool. Keeping the puppy in the crate when you cannot keep 100% eye on him is important. Every time you take him out of the crate take him on a walk to make sure they go to the bathroom and give positive reinforcement if he does. If they do not eliminate while you are outside then put your puppy back in the crate for another 20minutes. After 20 minutes take him out once again to try. If your puppy does go to the bathroom make sure you take time to play with him and when you have to turn your back again put them back in the crate. If you catch them having an accident in the house tell your puppy no and then take them outside and praise them if they go. If you just find the accident, clean it up and don't say anything. House training puppies take time and patience. It does not happen right away. Give your puppy time to learn and if you are consistent with training, they will be housebroken in no time.

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    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 21st, 2017

    Great question! Start by keeping your dog 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.

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    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 24th, 2017

    Great question! I can give you the method I always recommend for house training a puppy. Start by keeping him on a regular feeding schedule, and taking away her food between meals. Take him out to potty first thing every morning, and once every 30 minutes to an hour. Always make sure he goes out after meals, first thing when he wakes up from a nap, last thing before bedtime at night, and right before you leave the house. Take him to the same spot each time to go potty. His scent there will encourage him to go. Stay with him outside each time he goes to potty, at least until he is fully house trained. When he goes outside, praise him and give him a treat. You might want to consider crate training as part of his house training. It allows you to keep an eye on him for signs that he has to go potty, and will teach him to hold it until you put him outdoors. The crate needs to be big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lie down, but it should not be big enough for him to go potty in. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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