In this article we detail the steps one should follow to house train a dog that’s one year old. How to potty train a puppy, the process and important guidelines.
Many dog owners like to adopt puppies because they will grow up knowing their owners from “babyhood”.
However, there is an absolute joy to adopting a bit of an older dog-especially one that is a year old.
So today I am going to answer your question “How to House Train a Dog That is a Year Old”
After all, a year-old dog may come into your life for a number of reasons. Perhaps their owner moved to a place where dogs aren’t allowed.
Perhaps they needed to be rescued from a bad situation. Or, maybe you just happened to fall in love with them!
That being said, some owners feel that house training a dog aged one year might be difficult or impossible. Not so!
We have a great product and some tried and true tips we can use to get your dog “going” in the right spot.
House Training a Dog – Starting Tips
One thing to understand is that your dog wants to keep waste out of places they eat, sleep, and play.
This works to your advantage-you can show them just where they should go, so their home (your home!) is kept clean and sanitary.
Be Patient
As we start this process, step into it with patience, understanding, and consistency.
Your dog is more like you than you think-she enjoys praise for a job well done and shies away when somebody shames or hurts her.
So treat your friend as you want to be treated-understood if you make a mistake, praised if you do a good job.
Initial Steps for How to House Train a Dog
Be sure to learn all you can about the dog before she came into your life. Was she partially or fully house trained?
Was she kept in a cage, kennel or crate? Did she grow up in the country or the city?
These questions really do matter.
Some dogs have surface preferences, for instance.
Talk To a Vet
Talk to a vet. You likely already have this setup, as many dogs require shots as well as spay/neuter to be kept in many municipalities.
Be sure you let your vet know you would like to discuss reasons that a dog may be eliminated in the house despite being house trained.
Sometimes medical reasons are the cause (and we will talk about them later).
Work With Your Dog
Work with your dog to break bad habits. Is your dog eliminating only on tile floors or carpets?
As you work with your dog, help her break bad habits by putting old rugs, rags, or plastic on the floor, so she is discouraged while guiding her to the correct place to eliminate.
Clean Up
Clean up any places in the house that have been affected.
Go to your local pet store or online retailer of choice to find an Enzyme cleaner (See on Amazon) that will destroy urine odor.
This will prevent your dog from going there again and they smell great.
They are pet-friendly and your dog will be deterred from going there again.
Spend Time With Them
Carve out some time. Working with any dog, especially an older dog, will require great consistency to make sure good habits replace bad ones.
If possible, take a bit of time off work or have a family member help with the training of the new dog.
With good consistency, it will take just a week or so to get your dog established with her new potty routine.
House Potty Train a Dog – Steps
Let’s now talk about the act of teaching your dog how to eliminate in a way that is desirable for you and your dog.
Setup Elimination Area
Begin by setting up an area for elimination for your dog. Try to find a place that is outdoors and not too far from home.
Many pet owners have their dog go under a tree as it provides a bit of protection against rain when they have to go.
Other pet owners who live in high rises set up a tarp with grass sod on the balcony, use puppy pads or even a litter box so their dog has a place to go.
Look For Signs
Look for signs that your dog is ready to go potty. They may sniff around with urgency, circle around, or paw at the door.
Some dogs make a digging motion with their paws. When you see it is time, put the lead on your dog’s collar and take her out to the potty spot.
Be patient and let her go at her own pace. It may take a few moments, but be patient.
Be sure to keep her in the potty spot.
Use Key Encouragement Phrases
Use key phrases to encourage your dog. “Go potty!” “Go poop!” “Do your business!” are just some of the phrases you can use.
Once she actually goes, offer lots of praise and a treat.
Don’t wait until you walk back inside, or the connection between going potty and getting a treat will not be made.
Be Consistent
Take your dog out once in the morning, 15 minutes after feedings, and once in the evening before going to bed.
Feed at the same time each day.
Most adult dogs need food about twice a day, but this will vary based on your dog and what your vet recommends.
Dog Eliminates In The House – Now What?
It is undoubtedly annoying and discouraging when your dog has an accident in the house. If this happens, take a second and just relax.
Do not punish your dog or rub their nose in the waste. Do not hit them with a rolled-up newspaper or magazine.
Doing this will make them fear being around you, prompting them to run away from you when they have to go and do it when they think nobody’s looking.
So, don’t take that approach to house training, just clean up the mess and make sure that you closely monitor your dog for the signs that she is ready to go.
You may also wish to close off areas of the house so that your dog can’t go into them and pee.
It will be much easier in this regard to keep an eye on her whereabouts and how she is feeling.
Then, when you notice she is ready to “go”, take her to the spot and offer the same praise and treat.
If supervising your dog is an issue, consider doing crate training.
Crates are loved by dogs because they are small, secure, and safe places for dogs to rest and relax.
They like to keep these crates clean and free of waste, so it is good practice for teaching your dog to “hold it” while you are away for some time.
Do not put newspapers or blankets in the crate, as the dog might eliminate these.
Instead, make it a nice place with toys and put it in a spot where the dog can interact with the rest of the family, such as the living room or kitchen.
Never use the crate as punishment-instead, treat it as a safe space for your dog.
What About Medical Issues?
Sometimes, no matter how much training, praise, and patience we have, the problem has to be examined by a vet and possibly treated with medication.
We will now discuss some common medical issues associated with dogs and elimination.
If you find that your dog is eliminating indoors and you’ve been consistent with everything else, it’s time to see a vet.
Dietary changes may also be the problem. Maybe you recently switched foods or were prescribed new food by your vet.
This may be remedied by taking your dog out more frequently or modifying her potty schedule.
Medications may also play a role. If your dog is given any medications, be sure you ask your vet if frequent urination is part of the side effects.
This way, you can take precautions against it.
Gastrointestinal Problems
If your dog was doing well with house training but now has the desire to eliminate loose stools, or eliminates diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems may very well be the issue.
Incontinence
This can also be a cause for concern. Cushing’s disease, hormone issues after spaying, bladder stones, or even a UTI can be the reason for canine incontinence.
Many times, these dogs are not aware they are urinating and may even eliminate when they are asleep.
Age can also be a factor for incontinence, but with your dog being aged 1 this is not likely going to be a factor.
You should try to re-train, and if this does not work, be sure to see a vet.
One Great Product For House Training A Dog
Potty Train Any Dog is our go-to when it comes to getting dogs of all ages housebroken.
It really makes a difference, as evidenced by the many happy dog owners that have found the product to work for their four-legged friend.
This program is great because it encompasses all the world’s greatest tips when it comes to housebreaking a dog of any age.
It uses all the skills that dog experts and vets would use, and is safe and effective.
You can get the full guide right on the Internet with no waiting around.
The program is really great, as it takes just one week to get your dog in the right place and going to the potty where you want her to go.
Your dog will be able to be left alone without you having to worry about her going when the time is not right.
The program works by utilizing the same techniques and tips that dog trainers use and it is guaranteed to work regardless of the age or intelligence level of the dog.
Everything is written out for you in a step by step guide that is very easy to follow.
Absolutely no equipment is needed for you to take advantage of this great program.
All you have to do is have a lead and some old newspapers or puppy pads.
All the techniques involved are safe, humane, and your dog will enjoy learning with you.
Read the reviews of other happy pet owners and see for yourself how great it is!
Wrap-Up
Don’t worry about house training your dog even if he or she is one year old.
You can teach your dog to go to the potty where you want them to-it just takes praise, patience, and some hard work.
Before you know it, good habits will be established and your dog will be going in the right place.
