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How Do You Housebreak an Adult Dog
I adopted two adult Germany Shepherd dogs and they are both slightly over a year old. The two girls were rescues and always stayed in a larger kennel so they crapped, and peed, ate, and slept in their kennel. I feed them and they are outside for several hours. They then come in and first thing they do is pee and crap. This is going on months. Anyone have advice on housebreaking an adult dog who has been a rescue since they were puppies?
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3 Replies
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Your willingness to adopt two rescue German Shepherds is wonderful—especially given their difficult pasts as adults. 💛 What you are dealing with is common for dogs who have spent their lives in kennels or shelters. Since they were never taught that there is a difference between ‘inside’ and ‘outside,’ they are attempting to navigate a set of instincts and habits from that environment.
Here is a game plan that many people have found helpful when trying to housebreak adult rescue dogs:
Go Back to Puppy Basics (Structure is Key)
- Even though they are over a year old, you must treat them as newly born puppies in potty training.
- That means:
- Take them outside on a leash every 2-3 hours, especially after eating, drinking, waking up, or playing.
- Stay with them until they go, and praise or treat them immediately.
- Timing is very important – make a big deal out of it.
Draft a Feeding and Potty Schedule
- Like children, dogs thrive on a daily rhythm, so feeding them at a set time each day will also help regulate their toilet routine for subsequent days.
Crate Training Can Help (Even with Adults)
- I think two-thirds of the population has been isolated or “crated” at some point in their lives.
- If you belong to this group, pick the right size crate.
Note: Bladder issues aside, never think it scientifically acceptable to expose an adult to an environment they were conditioned to eliminate in. Patients are conditioned to be eliminated in a cage where they are kept, and they need considerable time in advance for kenneling before re-housetraining begins.
Supervise Closely Indoors
- Keeping track of your dog’s movements in the home can be a painstaking task.
- If the dog randomly pops in, you should actively supervise them as a responsible pet parent.
- When you cannot supervise, keep them leashed inside or electronically confined in a small area.
- Close observation means identifying undesired behavior before it happens, so you should allow a few seconds before getting it outside.
Remove Odor and Clean Messes Properly
Use odor removers such as enzymatic cleaners (such as Nature’s Miracle). If they notice urine and feces smells in the same spot, they will be attracted to them.
Exclude Medical Problems First
Checking for gastrointestinal disorders and UTIs is also a good routine practice. These are always good to rule out when accidents happen seemingly randomly or frequently.
Consistency and Being Patient Wins
Depending on how traumatized and conditioned the dogs are, this could take several weeks or much longer. But yes, they can learn. It is important to celebrate small wins and never punish mistakes because that will add anxiety.
Would you like me to draft you a short, printable training schedule and checklist you can follow daily with the dogs? Or a log where you could track the potty times and progress? I would be glad to assist with that! 🐾
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Yes, I would like that.
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Below is a complete daily housebreaking timetable along with a training checklist specifically catered to your two German Shepherd rescues. It is in easy-to-read paragraph format for reference and printing.
Daily Housebreaking Timetable & Training Program for Adult Rescue Dogs
Working on housebreaking adult dogs, especially rescues that never had proper training, will need structure, consistency, and a lot of patience. This routine aims to reset your dogs’ perception concerning appropriate locations to relieve themselves. If you adhere to the prescribed schedule over time, your dogs will learn to adopt a more predictable indoor lifestyle.
Morning Routine:
Each day should commence with a fixed wake-up time. Immediately upon waking up, even before breakfast or that first sip of coffee, take both dogs to the specified potty place. Accompany them, keep them on a leash, and wait quietly. In the first few minutes of the walk, offer enthusiastic praise and a small treat once they have relieved themselves. This first outing is crucial and sets the tone for the day.
Feeding Time:
Every morning, provide them with food at the same time. After eating, wait 10-15 minutes, then immediately take them outside. Once again, wait with the dogs until they relieve themselves and reward them immediately afterward. Following a structured feeding schedule helps regulate their need to go.
Midday Potty Breaks:
For pet owners at home during the day, suggest a potty break a little before lunch—especially if they are inside or snoozing. Even if they do not go, this reinforces the outdoor routine and teaches them that the outdoors is the place to go.
Afternoon/Evening Outdoor Time:
Allow them to have outdoor play or kennel time during mid-afternoon, but supervise closely if they eliminate during that time. Before bringing them inside, take them out for a short leashed walk or potty break to help ensure they are emptied. This breaks the current habit of going immediately after entering the house.
Meal and Post Meal Potty:
Dinner should be consistently served every evening at least 3 hours before bedtime. As a routine, take them out 10-15 minutes after the meal and reward them when they go potty outside.
Pre-bedtime Potty & Wind Down:
Offer one last potty trip just before bed. Quiet down the house as bedtime approaches. If creating nightly, ensure they’ve gone before crating and avoid water too close to bed unless it’s been hot or they’ve been active.
Strategy for Crate and Indoor Supervision:
Use a crate or an area that limits movement to discourage accidents if you cannot supervise closely. If they are with you, leash them to your waist or keep them close enough to spot signs of prepping to go, such as sniffing, pacing, and circling. When you witness them trying to do something inappropriate, calmly interrupt them and take them outside immediately.
Cleanup and Prevention:
These things take time, especially at the very start. To remove the temptation of scent marks, employ an enzymatic cleaner to remove smells completely. Avoid scolding or punishment as well. This causes confusion and fear, especially in traumatized dogs.
Tracking and Progress Assessment:
Plan schedules, set goals, and track potty times, accidents, and successes alongside the rest. Look for behaviors that could help shift the schedule leading up to an adjusted one. Identify patterns and plan ahead to make alterations as needed. If they consistently go indoors at a certain time, shift the potty break before the scheduled time.
Provide structure and encouragement; your girls will happily learn the difference between outside and inside etiquette. Always remember that they are not being stubborn but rather simply unlearned—normalize the environment for learning. Invest your efforts, and in return, they will reward you with enduring love, loyalty, and, in due time, success.
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