Q&A for How to Housebreak an Adult Dog

Praising your dog when he or she eliminates outside will provide positive reinforcement that will enforce repeat behavior.

Be sure to clean up any previous toilet accidents, hence removing the scent marker which may call the dog back. Then keep the dog under constant supervision—you can put them on a collar and leash attached to your wrist if necessary. The moment they start to sniff out a toilet spot, pop them straight outside, and praise when they do go in the right place.

There's no one way to toilet train quickly. The best results are obtained when all opportunity to toilet in the wrong place is removed and the dog has plenty of chances to visit the right spot. Also, positive reinforcement in the form of rewards will help the penny drop!

If your dog still isn't housebroken, make a note of when and where they keep toiletting. If it happens regularly a couple of hours after his last visit outside, then take him outside after 90 minutes, so he gets the opportunity to go. It's crucial to get rid of any scent marks that attract him back to the same spot, so thoroughly deodorize, and if necessary put his food bowls on the spot which should discourage him. Last but not least, stay with him outdoors so you are there to praise him when he does go.

Test the carpet first for color-fastness. Use a solution of biological washing detergent, worked into the carpet. Then rinse with clean water. Press a clean towel into the area to absorb most of the wetness. Then soak the area with a solution of bicarbonate of soda. Rinse well with clean water. Soak up the excess with a clean towel and dry the area with a hairdryer. Repeat daily for 2 - 3 weeks until the odor has gone.

Puppy training pads are great. I used these to housebreak my Jack Russell. Place them anywhere in your house (avoid upstairs), and each time your dogs potty, take them to the mat. They will learn that that is their place to potty. Every time they use the mat, move it slightly closer to your front or back door, until eventually it is outside. After a few times of going outside, remove the mat completely. They will now know to go outside.

When your dog is ready to outside, go with him enthusiastically and praise him when he goes.

Make it fun! Don't send them outside only to potty, go outside with them to play frequently, then they will associate the outdoors with good times.

Give him/her treats and tell her what to do!

Put a bell by the front or back door. When you are about to bring the dog outside make them ring the bell and then after they do, bring them outside. Teach them that when they ring the bell, it means they need to go outside.

Take him for long walks (minimum 10 - 15 minutes) several times each day. This will give him the best chance of getting everything done outside and returning home truly "relieved." The walks will also give him a chance for distraction. Keep crate time at a minimum.

Put a couple of treats inside, very close to the entrance at first. Later on, put a couple more treats further back in the crate. Leave the door open. Then put a couple treats all the way back in the crate, still leaving the door open. After your dog adjusts to going in and out of the crate, close the door. Keep it shut for a minute or so, then try five minutes, then 15 minutes, and so on.

No, you should not limit the amount of water you give them. It can make them dehydrated, which can lead to all sorts of health problems. No, it does not matter if the dog is neutered or not.