How to Potty Train a Doberman — 8 Tips & Tricks
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Bringing home a soft little puppy is such an incredibly amazing experience! Puppies are so adorable and cuddly, and you can expect great fun and laughter. But you can also expect a large amount of work and mess. Owning a puppy is certainly a mixed bag!
If you have brought home a Doberman puppy, one of the first things that need your attention is housetraining. This process can be one of the most frustrating parts of owning a puppy.
Fortunately, we have eight steps to help you through potty training your new Doberman. The good news is that these dogs are smart and eager to please, so housetraining this breed isn’t as tricky as it is for some other breeds!
How to Potty Train a Doberman
1. Pick a spot in your yard
First, you need to locate an area in your backyard (or wherever you’ll be taking your dog regularly to do their business) for your puppy. During the potty training process, you’ll only take your puppy to this exact spot when it’s time to go.
This helps the puppy have positive associations with this area and will help to avoid confusion.
2. Give them a bathroom break every 30 minutes
Regardless of whether your Doberman needs to have a bathroom break, you should take them out every half hour. When it’s time, put your puppy on a leash, and use a cue such as, “go potty,” or, “bathroom” (or any other phrase of your choice).
Bring them to the designated potty area, and stay there until they eliminate, followed by plenty of praise and a treat. Show how pleased you are, even if it means jumping up and down. Your Dobie will start to see going potty is a positive thing.
3. Wait 15 minutes
If your puppy doesn’t actually go, give it 15 minutes and then go back inside. But you’ll need to keep a close eye on them for the first sign that they might need to go. Otherwise, 15 minutes later, take them back out and go through the same process.
4. Keep on schedule
The easiest way to housetrain any puppy is to keep to a schedule. Start with the previous steps by consistently taking them out every 30 minutes.
You should also take your puppy out after a nap, before bed, after a long drink of water, and after meals. Also do it any time that they start to assume the position while inside!
5. Know that accidents happen
You can definitely expect messes — keeping a constant eye on a puppy is challenging, to say the least.
If your puppy eliminates inside, just pick them up immediately, and take them outside to their spot. Give the usual verbal cue and wait for a while.
Chances are that your puppy won’t actually need to go, but they will understand that this is the proper place for them to do their business.
6. Rinse and repeat
Continue what you’re doing, and eventually, your Doberman will be letting you know that they need to go.
Puppies under 12 weeks of age need frequent bathroom breaks every 30 minutes because they don’t have full control of their bladders. As they get older, they’ll gain better control, and you’ll be able to stretch the time for longer.
7. Clean up the mess inside with an enzymatic cleaner
If your Dobie eliminates inside and you don’t find the mess until later, you’ll need to thoroughly clean it up with a special enzymatic cleaner.
These cleaners are designed to break down the enzymes in urine, so your puppy won’t be drawn to the same spot to urinate again.
It breaks down the smell and stains and is safe to use around pets, as well as on most surfaces (like fabrics and hardwood floors).
8. Consider crate training
This can be an effective method while you’re housetraining your puppy, particularly if you won’t be able to take your puppy out as frequently as required.
A crate is meant to be a safe and cozy place for your puppy. Dogs don’t like to eliminate in the area where they sleep or eat, so it can help prevent them from urinating and defecating indoors.
It’s important to note that a crate should never be used as a punishment; it’s only for when your puppy can’t be supervised for a while and for naps and overnight.
The crate should be large enough for your puppy to stand, turn, and lie down. Any bigger and your puppy will be able to eliminate in a corner.
What You Should Do
Always put a leash on your puppy when you go outside to their spot
This helps them get used to being on a leash, you’ll be able to keep them in the area, and you’ll be right there to reward them when they’re done.
After they are done, spend time playing outside
This can help drive home the positive association message.
Learn the signs when the puppy is ready to go
It’s important to recognize when your Dobie plans to go potty inside. They will typically sniff and circle around, or they might wander off, whine, or sit by the door.
Always use positive reinforcement
Every time your puppy goes outside, always give them a treat or a favorite toy combined with pets and praise.
Create a feeding schedule
Large breed puppies, like Dobermans, should eat about three to four meals a day. You should feed your puppy their meals at the same time. Puppies will typically need to go to the bathroom shortly after eating, so it makes it easier to keep on top of when it’s time to go out.
What You Shouldn’t Do
Never punish your puppy for going potty inside
Rubbing a dog’s nose in it or scolding them will only make your dog fear you. They don’t understand what they did wrong. Positive reinforcement is the only method that works.
Don’t use pee/potty pads
Unless you don’t have another option, like living in a high-rise apartment, try to only associate going to the bathroom with going outside. Allowing a puppy to urinate on a pad indoors will mostly confuse them.
Try to follow a schedule
Not following a consistent schedule for bathroom breaks will just confuse your puppy. This can also lead to more accidents in the home. They need almost constant supervision, so be prepared to take time off work or ask for help.
Final Thoughts
Consistency and plenty of patience and praise are ideal when housetraining any puppy. Dobermans love routine, so use this to your advantage.
Make a routine of waking up and the puppy going outside immediately. Feed your dog at set times, and go outside right after. Your puppy should also go outdoors after eating, after drinking a large amount of water, after playing, and before bedtime. Your routine will become your puppy’s routine, and combined with your love and praise, your Dobie will be potty trained before you know it!
See Also:
- How to Potty Train a Vizsla (7 Expert Tips)
- How Long Does It Take to Crate Train a Dog? Tips, Do’s & Dont’s
Featured Image Credit: Wynian, Shutterstock
