Save your floor from dog feces and urination! Potty Area How To Step-by-Step

[dawood]

Creating a potty area for your dog is easy, convenient and your lawn and shoes will thank you for it!​

So roll up your sleeves and say NO MORE to yellow lawns and poppy shoes. Here is the perfect dog potty area​

1.Find the right place:

1-Find a small rectangular or square section to designate as the “Potty Area.” It does not need to be a specific size, just big enough that your dog can move around in it and pee/poop once.

tip-If you decided on a place in your backyard : Try to make the land as level as possible and remove any grass/plants that might be growing there. Use a pet safe grass killer like Burn Out if necessary.

2-Cover the area with a nice one to two inch layer( of cedar mulch or boxes or anything) and you're done!

tip-You can add finishing touches like garden trim if you would like

2.Training method:

The next step is to teach your dog to go potty in that spot and that spot only.

This might take a little while especially if you were previously allowing your dog to use the whole backyard as a dumping ground but don’t get frustrated**.**

The time it takes to train is well worth it. Here are a story with some key points:

1.Every time Lola needed to eliminate, we took her to the potty area and did not let her step out of the area preferably until she went potty (if necessary, use a leash to keep your dog contained to that area).

This step took some time because Lola wasn’t used to going to the bathroom on mulch (be prepared to wait).

When necessary, we took Lola back inside our house for five minutes then took her out to the potty area again; we repeated this until she went potty.

Once she started to go to the bathroom, I would say “Go Potty” and praise her as if she were a puppy just learning to potty outside (if you have a new puppy/dog click here for more guidance and training techniques). Patience is key!

2.Before every play session in the backyard, we took Lola to the potty area to eliminate first.This decreased the chances of her using other portions of the backyard for her disposal purposes.

3.If we caught Lola peeing/pooping in the backyard, we would quietly take her collar and guide her to the designated spot. Then praise if she finished “going” on the mulch.

4.We used lots of praise when Lola used the appropriate spot.

5.We NEVER reprimanded her for using the rest of the backyard. This could send incorrect signals and make her think that going potty outside is not the right thing to do. Refer to point 3 above.

6.We stayed consistent throughout the training process.

Eventually Lola learned by habit that when in the backyard, she needs to eliminate in the designated potty area.

We still always take Lola to her potty area to eliminate before she is allowed to play in the backyard.

There have been times that she is playing in the backyard and will run over to her potty area to eliminate. She gets praised every time

3.Training tips:

1.Choose a command buddy will understand, example: “time to go potty” or “do it”, and use it consistently.

2.When your friend shows signs of needing to go (like sniffing around and lowering the butt), attach a leash and take him outside directly to the location. Give the command “time to go potty”. For new pups, usually 30 minutes after meals, after exciting play, before bed and first thing in the a.m. are the usual moments. For adults you know their schedule, work with that.

3.Take buddy to the spot first thing when going outside and don’t let run and play time until business has been done–have him leashed. This enforces to get business done right away and will pay off down the road.

4.Every instance the pup performs as desired, give lots of happy praise, playful pats and a treat. If he shows signs of wanting to expel in an off-limits area, say “no” or “not there” and lead to the proper place.

5.If there’s a slip, avoid giving praise, treats, attention and no play. Make sure to clean up immediately and saturate the spot with water so he won’t smell the pee.

6.Being consistent and watchful is key.

Hover over and keep buddy leashed when outside for at least two weeks to make sure he consistently goes where required.

After two weeks try being out off-leash and watch. If he heads directly to the spot first to take his potty break, you know things are catching on. If not, have the leash on for another week and then try without it again.

After a solid four weeks of perfect performance and close monitoring, you can relax and be confident the habit is being set successfully. Still watch though and correct mistakes as they happen.

4.Final thoughts:

Be sure to keep the assigned zone clean. Canines aren’t happy tip toe-ing through piles of poo and urine. They like their bathroom areas tidy like we do, some are super fussy.

During training leave a scoop or two of “doody” within the space so the pooch has an idea where to go, but be diligent about maintaining the rest of the space.

Water the urine spots well and scoop the poop immediately, do a daily cleaning and watering if possible.

Once the habit has been set, you’ll still need to do your part by maintaining things or the pooch begins to look elsewhere to do business.

For every successful occurrence, keep affirming the behavior by giving treats and praise (for at least a couple months).

Note Well: Take him for regular walks so he’s also accustomed to doing the job in back alleys, side roads and fields (remember to bring the doodie bags).

The thing you don’t want to do is teach buddy to think there is only one location he can ever go to the bathroom. This will be a real problem as he travels with the family or when he stays elsewhere while you’re away–the poor fellow will suffer and absolutely not go until his body physically forces him to.

The idea is to teach this pet there’s only one place in the yard he can expel, not just one place no matter what.

Be diligent, watchful and consistent. A few weeks of training provides a lifetime of benefit to you as owner

Have you already done this with your dog; how long did it take to train? Suggestions, comments?

I love comments .

Story of Johanna

For the ultimate guide to train your dog: Here