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How to potty train a senior rescue dog and stop indoor messes?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | spayed | 10 years old | 10 lbs

I'm rescuing a 10 year old Yorkshire Terrier, but the shelter doesn't know if she's housebroken. What should I do when she first arrives to make sure she doesn't pee/poop in my condo? And to determine if she's previously been housebroken?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

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!

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