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My three-year-old Maltipoo eliminates outdoors during our daily walks, but because of my hectic work schedule, I’ve been trying to potty train him indoors so he doesn’t have to hold his bladder for long hours. I’ve tried everything: attractants, fake grass, and even conditioning him with whistling, but he just won’t eliminate indoors. What can I do to encourage him?
Potty training can be hard to change once a dog enters adult stage because it has gotten used to a routine. As a pup gets older, it’s also probably better able to hold its pee and poop for long hours. I had a dog that peed twice and pooped just once a day!
Attractants and fake grass may work but you will also have to plan his water and food intake when switching your dog to toileting indoors. Firstly, bear in mind that this is a temporary plan. If you want your dog to start eliminating indoors, you will have to avoid walking him outside during this period—until he does it for the first time in the house. Should you be worried about him not expending energy through exercise, you can provide him with plenty of mental stimulation toys to keep him busy and tired.
Start with understanding his potty cycle. How many times does he pee a day? When does he poop? To increase the odds of your dog doing his business indoors, I recommend that you pump him with plenty of fluids ans split his meals into several servings. Many owners have told me that it is impossible to pump their dog with fluids because they do not like drinking water. Water is not your only option. You can give your dog coconut water, fruit juices, milk for dogs or goat’s milk. You can also make broth and mix it with his water to entice him to drink more. Ice cubes are another way to increase his fluid intake. The more he drinks, the more he will need to relieve himself. By doing this, you are basically setting him up for success as he will no choice but to eliminate in the house.
Training your dog to poop indoors is a little trickier. Again, the more he eats, the more he will have to let go. Split up his meals, or add some healthy treats to his food. There are many healthy treat options available now. You can add fruits and vegetables with high dietary fibre—such as pumpkin, psyllium husk and broccoli
(in small amounts)—to his meal, as it will assist your dog in his poop cycle.