How To Potty Train an Older Dog

You can potty train an older dog by establishing a consistent routine, rewarding them for going potty outside, and using a crate to help with training when appropriate.

Before beginning, have your veterinarian rule out medical conditions that could be causing accidents in the house. Once medical concerns have been addressed, crate training and positive reinforcement can help your dog learn where to go to the bathroom.

Here’s how to potty train an older dog step by step, including crate setup, potty schedules, and how to handle accidents.

How To Potty Train an Older Dog

To potty train an older dog, rule out underlying medical conditions, establish a consistent routine using positive reinforcement, watch for signs your dog needs to go outside, and reward successful potty breaks.

Here are five tips for house-training an adult or senior dog:

1. Remember That Older Dogs Can Be Trained

Old dogs can learn new tricks. Just because your dog is an adult or senior does not mean they can’t be trained.

2. Rule Out Underlying Medical Conditions

Having accidents in the home could come from underlying medical conditions. Have your pet checked out for any condition that might be leading to them having accidents.

If you notice that your dog has trouble walking, is reluctant to go in and out of their crate, and/or continues to have accidents, these are signs that your dog may have a medical condition.

Always have your dog examined by their veterinarian and tested before assuming their accidents are a behavioral issue.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement

Routine training using positive reinforcement can go a long way. This means rewarding them for going potty outside or letting you know when they need to go potty, and never punishing your dog for accidents.

4. Watch for Signs Your Dog Needs To Go Outside

Always watch for signs that your dog needs to go out and take them right away. Signs include barking at or scratching at the door, sniffing the ground, and circling, and acting restless.

5. Take Your Dog on Leash Walks

Walking is a wonderful form of enrichment. Always use a leash and take your dog on a walk to go potty instead of just letting them out in the yard.

This way, they get stimulation, and you can reward your dog with a high value treat every time they potty outside.

You can also consider doggy playdates to help relieve excess energy and to ensure that your dog gets adequate socialization.

How To Potty Train an Older Dog With a Crate

Using a crate can help potty train an older dog by providing a designated space when you're away from home for short periods or unable to directly supervise them.

During crate training, watch for signs that your dog needs to go outside and take them out when needed.

Once your dog is potty trained, you won't need to place them in the crate. Instead, they can use it freely whenever they want to retreat to their safe space.

Follow these steps to use a crate when potty training an older dog.

Step 1: Rule Out Medical Issues

Before potty training an older dog, have your veterinarian perform a complete examination to rule out underlying medical conditions that may be causing accidents in the home. 

Step 2: Choose the Right Crate for Your Dog

When choosing a crate to potty train an older dog, make sure it provides enough space for your dog to stand, lie down, turn around, and access fresh water.

You will use the crate during potty training at any point where you leave the house or are unable to supervise your dog. You will also use the crate after potty training is complete as a place where your dog can relax and feel safe.

A crate should resemble a cave. A standard crate can be converted into a “cave” by covering the top and sides with a blanket or using a cage cover.

The size of the crate should allow your dog to:

• Stand up straight with their tail erect
• Lie down on their side
• Turn around easily
• Have access to clean, fresh water

Step 3: Choose a Quiet Location for the Crate

Place your dog's crate in a quiet, low-traffic area where they can feel safe and comfortable, away from loud noises and other potential sources of anxiety or fear.

The crate should be placed in a low-traffic area, such as a spare bedroom, and should be free of loud noises, kids, and other pets. This gives your dog a safe space away from things that might trigger anxiety or fear.

Some dogs prefer this safe space near their humans. This location could be the corner of your living room or the edge of the kitchen so they can still see what’s going on.

Teach your children not to chase or follow your dog into their space. Ensure that the family knows that no one is to enter the crate because this space is your dog’s sanctuary.

Step 4: Create a Comfortable Crate Space

A comfortable crate should include soft bedding, access to fresh water, and toys or treats that encourage your dog to view the space positively.

A nice comfortable mat (for chewers) or a soft blanket should be used to make the crate cozy and comfortable.

To make the space complete, include:

• A water bowl (if they are prone to knocking them over, use one that attaches to the crate)
• Chew toys (rotated daily to encourage play and curiosity)
• Interactive food toys (stuffed KONG® toys, enrichment toys)
• Different daily treats

You can turn on a white noise machine, TV, or talk radio to help decrease any loud noises from the outside world. A canine pheromone diffuser can help ease anxiety and familiarize your dog with the idea that the crate ensures their safety.

Have these items ready in the crate before you leave for any period. These specific toys and special treats should only be given when your dog is in the crate, so they have an incentive to want to be in the crate.

Step 5: Introduce Your Dog to the Crate Gradually

Introduce your dog to their new crate gradually by allowing them to explore it freely, rewarding calm behavior with treats, and slowly increasing the amount of time they spend inside.

Having the crate available always is ideal. Do not force or drag your pet into the crate. Do not yell at your dog or use high-pitched noises to get your dog to go into the crate. These actions encourage anxiety and fear, which can create negative responses and stress.

First, ensure that your dog is relaxed. If your dog is prone to anxiety, speak with your veterinarian about calming supplements or a prescription for short-acting anti-anxiety medications to help with behavior modification and adjustment to the crate.

Leave the front door of the crate open and leave your dog to roam the room freely. Check in to see the progress. When your dog enters the crate, reward them with a special treat that is only used when they are in the crate.

Use this special treat any time your dog is relaxed in and around the crate. Think about a routine that you can use every time your dog enters and leaves the crate. Consistency is key.

Once your dog is relaxed in the crate, try closing the crate door for a few seconds, and reward your dog for staying calm. You can gradually increase the time that the door is closed. Then try leaving the room for short periods at a time while your dog is in their crate. Do not rush this part; it won't happen in a day.

Eventually, you can try leaving the house for short periods of time. When you come home, try not to create a stressful environment by yelling or using a high-pitched voice to greet your dog.

Step 6: Establish a Consistent Potty Training Schedule

To successfully potty train an older dog, establish a consistent routine for mealtimes, potty walks, and crate time. The schedule should be simple, followed seven days a week, and used by everyone in your household.

Example Potty Training Schedule for an Older Dog

Your dog's daily routine may look something like this:

1. Wake up. Take a short walk to allow your dog to go potty. Leash walks only are essential anytime you expect your dog to go potty, even in a fenced yard.
2. Give your dog their breakfast.
3. Take a 10-minute walk around the block to let your dog go potty and to provide enrichment.
4. Head back to the house and give your dog a special treat in their crate.
5. Leave for work. If you can't come home to walk your dog during the workday, have someone (friend, family member, dog walker) walk your dog. This person should use the same high-value treat for rewarding your dog for going potty outside, and they should follow the same protocols for walking your dog as you do.
6. Come home and let your dog out of their crate.
7. Head out for a 20- to 30-minute late afternoon walk.
8. Give your dog dinner.
9. Take your dog out for another 10-minute walk soon after dinner.
10. Take a walk just before bedtime. If accidents are happening, have your dog stay in their crate at night.

Practice the same routine every day. Being consistent with your routine decreases your dog’s anxiety and fear of not knowing what is coming next. If your dog has an accident, do not yell or speak; simply clean it up.

After your dog is potty trained, you can remove the front door of the crate to encourage your dog to use it as their safe space.

What To Do If Your Older Dog Has a Potty Accident

If your older dog has a potty accident, avoid punishment. If you catch them in the act, calmly take them outside or to their designated potty area. If you discover the accident afterward, simply clean it up.

If you see your dog having an accident, swiftly take them outside or where they are supposed to go and use your training word, like “go potty,” to let them know this is the correct place to go.

If you don’t see the accident happen, no corrective action is needed. Don’t yell at or punish your dog for accidents. Instead, use positive reinforcement to build a positive relationship with your dog and encourage them to go to the bathroom in the correct place.

How Long Does It Take To Potty Train an Older Dog?

Potty training an older dog can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the individual dog.

Older dogs can learn new habits, but it may take them longer to unlearn previous behaviors and learn where they should go to the bathroom.