Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 5/29/2007

Question
I am moving into an apartment with a huge balcony. I have tryed to start toilet training my 5 y/o maltese x poodle Molly a week before leaving my old place.
I have 2 car oil drip trays that i have put puppy toilet training pads on the. Covered them in cat litter and then put grass on top hoping that at least one of these encourages her to go. (she is toilet trained to go outside on the grass)
I brought her out straight after getting up, and it's now 4 hours later and she still hasn't gone, even after not going out all night.
I can't make her drink, i can't make her toilet... to toilet train her, i have to have to have something to praise her for. If she won't go, what am i supposed to praise??

Answer
Dear Adam,

Thanks for the question. I believe you are on the right track! Hmmm.. why won't she eliminate on your balcony with the setup? Hmmmm.... Either she doesn't like the set-up in the trays or she doesn't like going on the balcony. To find out, you'll need to experiment with variations of your current setup.

Instead of using pads and litter - for now, just get some grass sod and place it in and around the trays on your balcony.

Or place the trays containing sod - not on your balcony but in the yard below. You may have to carry the tray out each time- for now.

See if she'll use the trays with sod in either location.

Once she will use the tray containing sod, you can add the pad on top of the some of the sod. Don't cover it up all the sod, start with half. Once Molly will eliminate with the pad covering half, cover up all the sod with a pad. Once Molly wil use the pad on top of the sod, start fading the sod - remove about half of the sod, et cetera.

Yes, you can teach her to drink on cue and yo can teach her to eliminate on cue (smile).

Here's some instructions I wrote.

Verbal Cues to Eliminate
Bringing attention to the act of eliminating is an important step, especially if you want your dog to understand food treats are a reward for eliminating outside.

When it’s cold outside, when traveling, or before you leave the house, it’s wonderful when your dog will eliminate on cue. It’s easy to teach your dog two different cues, one for urinating and one for defecating. In addition, it’s doesn’t hurt if your dog understands a phrase for either.

It helps if you are already familiar with your pup’s signature. Before you place the behavior on cue, observe your pup closely so you’ll recognize when he is about to eliminate and you will know if he is going to urinate or defecate.

Choose three words or phrases - one for urination, one for defecation and one for both. It doesn’t matter what words you use, just keep them simple. I like to use piddle“, ”poop”, and “let’s go potty”.

Label Each Behavior
First, teach your dog the phrase for either. Before you go out the door with your pup, say “Let’s go potty”. When you are leading your dog to your preferred area, again say, “Let’s go potty”.

Many people repeat phrases over and over as they are walking around with their pup. Don’t repeat your cues over and over, two times is enough!

Watch your pup closely for signs of pre-elimination. When he is committed to the act, label it. After he eliminates, again, name it. For example, suppose your pup is sniffing, circling and is about to squat and urinate. Softly say “Piddle”. After he urinates, say “That’s piddle”, and immediately deliver the after-elimination reward (treat and praise).  Play a quick game of ball or act silly and let your pup chase you. Repeat the sequence for defecation. Follow this sequence the next few trips outside. Since dogs urinate more often than they defecate, you might need to extend this labeling phase a bit longer for defecation.

Cue the Behaviors

After a day or so of labeling each of the behaviors, you can transform the labels to cues and drop the labels afterwards.

Before you open the door, say “Let’s go potty”.  Lead your dog out to the area. Say “Piddle” and wait. Do not repeat the command. After your dog urinates, throw a party! Play a game. Toss your dog a treat. The idea is to teach your dog that fun stuff happens after elimination!

If your dog doesn’t urinate when you give the cue, don’t repeat the command. His hearing is better than ours- he heard it – he just hasn’t caught on yet. Repeating the cue is not helpful. Just back up in this program and repeat the labeling sequences. Once your dog understands the labels, he will eliminate on cue.

Most dogs always have a bit of urine in their bladders, so urinating on cue usually happens right away. Teaching your dog the cue for defecation requires a bit more planning. You’ll want to deliver that cue only when it’s time for your dog to have a bowel movement! Refer to your log and only deliver the cue for defecation when your dog is due a bowel movement.

Good Luck!
AT
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