I know some people have had luck with using a "magic word". If the pup is trained enough with this method, they eventually will potty on command.
The way you train them to do it is through consistency and repetition. You take them outside on leash first thing in the morning. Take the pup to the area you wish to be the potty place and say your magic word, such as "go potty". Repeat this over and over until the pup actually goes potty. Immediately reward the pup with a small, special treat s/he only gets when s/he "goes potty". Tell the pup "Good potty, good potty" in a nice higher pitched voice.
If you repeat this often enough eventually two things will happen....one, the dog will associate going potty with getting the special treat and, two, the dog will associate the words "go potty" with automatically peeing. Sometimes in the beginning you will have to wait a LONG time for your pup to decide to pee. While waiting outside, do *not* engage them in "babytalk" or pet them or baby them at all. You are outside for one reason and one reason only.....to get your pup to learn to pee outside. By rewarding them with your attention for anything other than peeing, you are distracting them and defeating the purpose of your efforts.
In the morning is the best time to start trying this as they normally have to go potty pretty bad, so they will go fast, and you will have your first "success" right away. You will need to take the pup out very frequently to the pee area on leash until the pup understands what is expected of him/her and is consistently going potty outside.
Once your pup is trained to pee outside, you can move onto training him or her to ring a bell near your garden door or bark when s/he wants outside to go potty.
Good luck. I hope it works. I know it takes time and patience but it is definitely worth it to have a housebroken dog. |