Q: Angie, I have a 8 month old maltese rescue that had never gone to the bathroom outside until we got him. Trying so hard to get him potty trained. We also have a 2 year old maltese that I took to work with me every day to a doggie day care program. I can take this one out, he will pee and then come back in and pee again! Also, he has only had about 3 bowel movements outside and we have had him for a month! Any suggestions would be appreciated and wondered if this is covered in your video? By the way, crating him is out of the question as he will not shut up. So, we try to block him in the same room with us.
Mary L.

A: Thanks for the question Mary. I find this potty issue slightly more common with little dogs, but also is frequently the case with dogs of all other sizes too! First, let me say the 3 Dog Days program will be a tremendous help in both potty and crate training, as well as, developing a great relationship with your dog. You can even watch the video for free if you are a member of Amazon Prime. When a situation exist like you describe between a dog and a human, it can be hard for the dog parent to “see the forest for the trees.” The key to potty training is respectful control and calmness. We must have control of the dog at all times. There are 3 main sections in the 30 minute video and one of those sections is entirely dedicated to changing your dogs mind about the crate. In this crate section, you will be taken step by step, in real time and reaction from dogs, through a 3 day period that seems to work like magic. The crate training techniques help your dog see the crate as a desirable place. In the dog’s mind, so many good things happen in the crate and they start running to get in. Most the time they start choosing to sleep in the crate even when you have the door open. The dog’s mind will change about the crate when using 3 Dog Days but only if the parent changes his/her mind about how they view and approach the crate. The crate is an awesome bed, not a cage or for punishment.

Over a ten year period, I have developed/used these techniques with many, many rescue dogs. The “crate work” section truly does work….but only if the human has a positive attitude, patience and commitment for 3 days. I’m putting so much emphasis on the crate training, because it really is essential to potty training. In order to have respectful control – in order for potty training to work – the dog/puppy must be with you or confined in a crate at all times. Imagine how many times the dog has gone potty in the floor. Each time the habit becomes more ingrained. When a dog is crate trained; and feels good about it, he can be taken straight from his crate outside and walked around with plenty of time to go potty. Then brought back inside and kept with the human under control as shown in 3 Dog Days. After eating or drinking, it’s right back outside, then back in the house leashed with the parent. All conditions must be controlled and the dog must view the human as a respectful parent. Then it becomes a breeze to do the doggie potty schedule etc. You seem to have dog experience, so you probably already know to shower a dog with praise when he goes potty outside and just calmly, respectfully disagree if he has an accident in the house.

Also, in my opinion, the human can never disagree (see “3DD’s video for respectful discipline ideas) with a dog if the human does not actually witness the potty accident. Further, if the human didn’t witness the potty accident, that means the parent did not provide the control, guidance and silent support the dog needed during the potty training period. In other words, the parent must provide structure and have a plan ready to work for potty training. If not, the human has set the dog up to fail….which is very unfair to the dog.

I encourage you to start your 3 Dog Days and use that valuable information to develop your potty training plan. Thanks for the question and enjoy your dog!