How to encourage a dog to go outside?

To stop your dog from going to the toilet indoors, you’ll first need to show them where they should go. Take your dog out regularly and at appropriate times. It’s important to give your dog plenty of opportunities to go to the toilet outside while they’re learning to control their bowel and bladder. Whatever the weather or time, try to take them outside when they’re likely to need to relieve themselves, for example: after a sleep, after eating or drinking, after play or exercise, whenever they become very excited, for example when visitors arrive. Whether you’re taking them out into the garden or the street, start by keeping them on the lead, so you can keep them safe and be close enough to reward them as soon as they go to the toilet. Recognising the signs that your dog needs to toilet is also important, keep a close eye on your pooch until you start spotting the signs they’re about to go to the toilet. If you see these signs inside, gently interrupt your dog, and take them outside to see if they’ll go to the toilet. Once they’ve learned that going to the toilet outside is a good thing to do, they might begin to let you know they need to go by whining and moving towards the door. If they do, make sure to take them out quickly, and reward them when they’re done. Always reward them for toileting outside, it’s important that you give your dog a reward as soon as they have toileted, so they know that you are really pleased with this behaviour. Prompt your dog to ‘go to the toilet’ when you ask them, teaching your dog to go to the toilet when asked can be very useful – you can encourage them to go when and where is most convenient for you.

Establish a routine Take your dog out at the same times every day. For example, first thing in the morning when he wakes up, when you arrive home from work, and before you go to bed. Praise your dog lavishly every time he eliminates outdoors. You can even give him a treat. Choose a location not too far from the door to be the bathroom spot. Always take your dog, on leash, directly to the bathroom spot. Take him for a walk or play with him only after he’s eliminated. While your dog is eliminating, use a word or phrase like “go potty,” for example, that you can eventually use before he eliminates to remind him of what he’s supposed to be doing. If you see signs that he needs to eliminate, like sniffing around or circling, immediately take him outside, on a leash, to his bathroom spot. If he eliminates, praise him lavishly and reward him with a treat.

Take your puppy out first thing in the morning for a toilet break and encourage them to poo and wee outside. It can help to have your puppy on a lead at first to avoid any chance of them running around exploring and not focusing on the fact that a toilet break is due. It’s also helpful to use a word that your puppy can associate with going to the loo, like ‘hurry up’ or ‘toilet’. Take your puppy out every 2-3 hours during the day. Give your puppy a toilet break shortly after each meal, as they’ll need a poo not long after eating. It’s a good idea to take them outside when they’ve just woken up, too. Puppy play can also make them need the loo, especially if they get really excited. Take them outside straight afterwards or give them a break halfway through a play session.