Pomeranian peeing on pad.

How To Encourage Your Dog To Poop and Pee Quickly

Written By Olivia De Santos | Canine Coach, Professional Writer & Video Content Creator.
Edited & Fact Checked By Renae Soppe | Double B.A Journalism & Science. 
Last Updated: 6th January 2024

We've all been there. It’s your dog’s designated potty break and they just won’t go. So you’re standing outside, shivering in the cold or sweating in the heat, hoping that your pooch will hurry up and get the job done. If you're tired of standing around for what feels like an eternity, this blog is for you.

Today, we're going to explore some practical tips on how to encourage your dog to poop and pee quickly so you can both get back to enjoying your time together.


Should You Try to Teach Your Dog to Poop and Pee on Command?

This is a tricky one. Some say yes, and some say no.

I say the question is phrased wrong.

First, you can’t really force your dog to pee or poop when they don’t want to.

But you can encourage your dog to go by associating toilet breaks with certain commands.

Essentially, you’re letting your dog know that this is the purpose of the trip outside. This is their opportunity to alleviate themselves.

An invitation more than an instruction.

More than anything, you’ll make potty time a rewarding experience instead of an anxiety-inducing one.

Teaching your dog potty training commands also helps if you travel frequently with your dog or if your dog has a job. Working dogs like service or therapy dogs benefit from toilet command training so that they can get to work on an empty bladder.

So without further ado, here’s how to encourage your dog to do their business!


How To Encourage Your Dog To Poop and Pee Quickly: 10 Tips

To prime this conversation, you need to know one thing: timing is everything. To get your dog to pee or poop quickly, picking the right moments is crucial. By following these tips, you’ll be able to get your pooch onto a schedule that works for them and you.

1. Know the signs your dog needs to pee or poop

One of the easiest ways to get your dog to pee or poop is to know when they are ready to do their business.  

That way, taking them out for a potty break should be a relatively fast experience.

Not sure how to tell? Here are the signs.

Signs your dog needs to pee include:

  • Circling
  • Sniffing the floor
  • Fidgeting
  • Whimpering
  • Lack of interest in playing or sleeping/restlessness
  • Squatting

Signs your dog needs to poop include:

  • Circling
  • Sniffing floor
  • Increased flatulence
  • Slight bend in the tail
  • Holding the tail high

While it is effective to wait until your dog wants to go to the toilet, this isn’t the most sustainable.

For example, if you and your dog live on the top floor of an apartment block and it takes eight flights of stairs to get to the nearest toilet spot, it could be too late to take your dog out if they are already circling.

Instead, a toilet routine is the best thing.

2. Create a toilet routine for your dog

Dogs thrive on routine. Establishing a consistent potty schedule is a great way of encouraging them to do their business quickly.

Try to take your dog out at the same times every day.

Your dog needs the toilet most:

  • First thing in the morning
  • A couple of hours after meals
  • After any periods of being left alone
  • Right before bedtime

Of course, puppies are a slightly different case.

“Typically, a puppy can control their bladder for one hour for every month of age. So if your puppy is 2 months old, they can hold it for about two hours.” – Humane Society (1)

Getting your dog onto a schedule helps them to understand when toilet time is, leading to faster results.

3. Choose the right spot

You’ve probably noticed that your dog doesn’t want to go in just any place.

Why are dogs so picky when choosing a bathroom spot?

Familiar territory is more relaxing for them.

The scent of their previous eliminations can also trigger them to go faster.

Now, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be picking up after your dog. You don’t need to leave your dog’s poop on the street for them to know that they have pooped there before.

Dogs have a strong sense of smell and will be able to pick up what they previously put down, allowing them to associate particular areas as their toilet spot.

If you are just establishing your dog toilet routine, ensure you direct them to an area you would be happy to designate as their potty place.

Related: Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags Australia - The Eco-Friendly Options

4. Use a potty command

Dogs are incredibly trainable, and using a verbal cue can speed up the process.

Choose two simple words or phrases for when your dog pees or poops and say them consistently when you take your dog outside.

Over time, they'll associate the command with the act of eliminating and may start to go more quickly when they hear it.

You’re probably wondering, why do I have to use two different commands for pee and poop?

Well, peeing and pooping are two different activities for your dog. And you’ve probably noticed that dogs rarely pee and poop in the same spot.

So use one phrase for each act for better results. (2)

What commands should you use for dog potty training?

Good question. Here are some ideas:

  • Go pee
  • Go potty
  • Go poo
  • Do your business

5. Stay calm and patient

Patience is key when encouraging your dog to poop and pee quickly. And arguably, this is one of the hardest parts! Particularly if you’re dealing with a stubborn pooch that just won’t go.

Dogs can pick up on your emotions, so if you're anxious or in a rush, they may become anxious too.

Stay calm, and avoid rushing or scolding them if they take their time.

Instead, offer praise and rewards when they go quickly.

6. Use positive reinforcement

Here at Gentle Dog Trainers, we’re all about positive training techniques. When your dog does their business quickly, shower them with praise and treats.

Dogs are more likely to repeat behaviours that lead to rewards, so this can be a great way to encourage speedy potty breaks.

Clicker training can also be useful for potty training.

7. Limit distractions during potty time

Dogs are easily distracted, especially when they're outside.

To encourage quicker potty breaks, limit distractions by keeping your dog on a leash or in a designated area.

A quiet space to pee or poop will help them get the job done faster.

8. Be prepared for weather

Quick storytime! I recently dog-sat a Cockapoo who is typically a fast pooper when on walks. But unfortunately for both of us, we were caught in torrential downpours that both of us were desperate to escape. So he didn’t poop during that walk as he normally does so faithfully.

In cold or rainy weather, your dog may be hesitant to leave the comfort of their warm bed to go to the toilet. To counter this, be prepared with proper gear like a doggy raincoat or wait out the rain before taking them out to pee.

9. Consider keeping walks and toilet breaks separate

To learn from the lesson above. If you can, separate bathroom breaks from walks, allowing your dog to focus solely on their potty time. After they've done their business, you can reward them with a longer walk or playtime.

10. Choose the right time for potty breaks

Understanding your dog's digestion can also help you time your potty breaks better. Most dogs need to go shortly after eating. As a rule of thumb, take your dog out in 4 hour intervals.

Bonus tip: Consistency Is Key

Consistency is crucial in dog training. Keep following these tips consistently, and over time, your dog will learn to poop and pee more quickly during their outdoor trips. Remember that every dog is different, so what works for one may not work for another. Be patient, and don't give up!


My Final Thoughts

Encouraging your dog to poop and pee quickly is all about establishing a routine, using positive reinforcement, and being patient. If you follow these tips, you’ll make your dog’s potty training go much smoother.

Got more questions about housetraining? Check out these articles:

FAQ

How do I get my dog to pee and poop?

To get your dog to pee and poop, you need to use gentle housetraining techniques. Try getting your dog on a toilet schedule so they get used to going outside at certain times. These should align with mealtimes, waking, and bedtimes. You can also train them to associate peeing and pooping with different commands by repeating your chosen words when they naturally go to the toilet. After many repetitions, they’ll associate the act of peeing and pooping with those words.

Do dog poop training sprays help?

Honestly? It depends on who you ask. Some people swear by poop training sprays. Others find no success with them at all. You can always experiment with poop training spray to see if your dog responds to it. But generally, gentle housetraining techniques are the most important.

References

  1. “How to potty train your dog or puppy”. The Humane Society of the United States. Retrieved October 16, 2023. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-potty-train-your-dog-or-puppy
  2. Lowrey, S. January 21, 2022. “How to Teach Your Dog to Go Potty on Cue”. American Kennel Club. Retrieved October 16, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/teach-your-dog-to-poop-potty-on-cue/

Olivia De Santos


Olivia De Santos is Gentle Dog Trainers Canine Coach, Professional Writer and Video Content Creator.

Olivia has over 10 years of experience writing professionally and is a dog Mum to Pip, her Podengo and Blue, her Flat-coated Retriever. She loves writing pieces to help people to be better dog owners.

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