If you’ve adopted an adult or senior dog,you may assume that they're potty trained but find out otherwise whenyou get home. Don’t stress—potty training an older dog is possible.

So, how do you start?

When it comes to potty training methods,crate training for older dogs can be just as effective as it is forpuppies.

Plus, having a crate available foryour dog is not just for potty training. These havens give your dog asafe, calm place where they can relax or even relieve their anxiety.

Crating should not be used as punishment,but instead to help with potty training and to provide a safe, happy place foryour pet. Here are some tips and steps for potty training an older dog using acrate.

How To Potty Train an Older Dog

Here are some tips when it comes tohouse-training an adult or senior dog.

·       Old dogs can learnnew tricks. Just because your dog is an adult or senior does not mean theycan’t be trained.

·       Having accidents inthe home could come from underlying medical conditions. Have your petchecked 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 andout of their crate, and/or continues to have accidents, these are signs thatyour dog may have a medical condition. Always have your dog examined by theirvet and tested before assuming their accidents are a behavioral issue.

·       Routine trainingusing positive reinforcement can go a long way. Thismeans rewarding them for going potty outside or letting you know when they needto go potty, and never punishing your dog for accidents.

·       Always watch forsigns that your dog needs to go out and take them right away. Signsinclude barking at or scratching at the door, sniffing the ground,and circling, and acting restless.

·       Walking is awonderful form of enrichment. Always use a leash and takeyour dog on a walk to go potty instead of just letting them out in theyard. This way, they get stimulation, and you can reward your dog with a highvalue treat every time they potty outside. You can also consider doggyplaydates to help relieve excess energy and to ensure that your dog getsadequate socialization.

How To Potty Trainan Older Dog With a Crate

Your dog will use the crate during pottytraining when you're away from your home for short periods and when you areunable to directly supervise them while at home. Be on the lookout for signsthat your dog needs to go out.

After potty training, you won’t need toplace your dog in the crate; they will be able to use it freely whenever theyneed to retreat to their safe space. Follow these steps for using crates whenpotty training an older dog.

Step 1: Have yourdog checked for medical issues.

It is important to remember that some dogsmay have potty accidents due to underlying medical issues. Before pottytraining an older dog, take them to the vet for a complete examination to ruleout any potential medical diagnoses.

Step 2: Choose acrate.

If your dog has no medical issues, the nextstep is to pick out a crate. Some recommended crates include:

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

A crate shouldresemble a cave. A standard crate can be converted into a “cave” by coveringthe top and sides with a blanket or using a cagecover. 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 alocation for the crate.

The crate should be placed in a low-trafficarea, such as a spare bedroom, and should be free of loud noises, kids, andother pets. This ensures that your dog not only has a place to hide but knowsthat this space is free of things that might trigger anxiety or fear.

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

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

Step 4: Make thecrate comfortable.

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

A nice comfortable mat (for chewers)or a soft blanket should be used to make the space cozy andcomfortable. To make the space complete, include:

·       A water bowl (if they are prone to knocking them over, useone 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

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

·       Step 5: Introduce your dog totheir new crate.

·       Having the crate available always is ideal. Do not force or dragyour pet into the crate. Do not yell at your dog or use high-pitched noises toget 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 toanxiety, speak with your veterinarian about calming supplements or aprescription for short-acting anti-anxiety medications to help with behaviormodification and adjustment to the crate.

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

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

Once your dog is relaxed in the crate, tryclosing 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 leavingthe room for short periods at a time while your dog is in their crate. Do notrush this part; it won't happen in a day.

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

Step 6: Establish a schedule.

For potty training success, you must createa routine for mealtimes, potty walks, and crate time. This routine should besimple and easy to follow by all the members of your household and should befollowed seven days a week. It’s important for all family members to follow thesame routine. It may look something like this:

1.   Wake up. Take a short walk to allow your dog to go potty. Leashwalks only are essential anytime you expect your dog to go potty, even in afenced yard.

2.   Give your dog their breakfast.

3.   Take a 10-minute walk around the block to let your dog go pottyand to provide enrichment.

4.   Head back to the house and give your dog a special treat intheir crate.

5.   Leave for work. If you can't come home to walk your dog duringthe workday, have someone (friend, family member, dog walker) walk your dog.This person should use the same high-value treat for rewarding yourdog for going potty outside, and they should follow the same protocols forwalking 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 walkjust before bedtime. If accidents are happening, have your dog stay in theircrate at night.

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

After your dog is potty trained, you canremove the front door of the crate to encourage your dog to use the crate astheir haven.

What To Do If Your Dog Has An Accident

If your dog has an accident, it’s important to only correct themif you saw the event take place.

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

If you don’t see them having the accident,then no corrective action is needed. Don’t yell or punish them for havingaccidents—only using positive reinforcement can establish a goodrelationship with your pup and going to the bathroom.

How Long Does It Take to Potty Train a Dog?

Every dog is different in how long it takesthem to be fully potty trained.

You can teach an old dog new tricks, itjust might take a little longer to unlearn their previous habits and learnwhere the right place to go to the bathroom is. In general, potty training anolder dog can take as little as a few weeks up to a few months.