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How Do I Get My Dog to Pee in the Yard?

by | 2 August 2024

Teaching a dog new tricks isn’t always a walk in the park, especially when it comes to potty training. Whether you have a brand new puppy or a rescue dog needing some TLC, getting them to pee in the yard is no small feat. This article is here to save the day and save your carpets! 

With some patience and lots of treats, not only can you prevent those unfortunate accidents in your home, and eventually be able to take them on long walks and car rides!

This article will share the best tips and tricks from leading dog experts from around the world to get your furry friends peeing outside like a good dog

The Steps You Can Take to Help Your Dog Pee in the Yard TL:DR

  • Step 1: Acclimate Them to the Yard
  • Step 2: Practise Positive Reinforcement 
  • Step 3: Be Observant; Timing is Everything!
  • Step 4: Be Consistent

View the detailed steps below.

Reasons Why Your Dog Won’t Pee in the Yard

In order to even begin tackling this, here are a few reasons why your dog might be finding it ‘paw-fully’ hard to pee outside. This is important to understand as you can dig to the root cause of why they don’t naturally go outside in the first place. 

Your Yard Is Full of Distractions

Just imagine a human like yourself going to the toilet only to find it decked out with a disco ball, lights, and loud music playing. You would find it very difficult too, right? In the eyes of your furry friend, the yard may be full of things similar to a wedding with the music turned up that’s preventing them from eliminating. 

Your Dog Perceives the Yard to Be Their ‘Safezone’ or ‘Den’

Flipping the situation around from a different perspective, your dog may feel that the yard is an extension of their house. They don’t feel comfortable going to the toilet in the same space they consider their play or sleep area. 

Your Dog Has a ‘Paw-ferred’ Surface to Pee in

Again, just like how a human has preferences of where they feel most comfortable going to the toilet, your furry ones will too. Our four-legged friends are just as different and complex as humans are. Your dog may prefer to go in tall grasses, gravel, or soft ground. Take some time to notice where they naturally pee the most. 

Understand Your Dog’s Tendencies

Whether your pet is a new pup, a rescue, or a mature dog, understanding where they are in their life stage will help you get to the core of the issue. If you are training a rescue dog to pee outside, be aware that the pup may have had some experiences in the past that has taught them to associate the yard with something scary.

Steps You Can Take to Help Your Dog Pee in the Yard

Now that you have dug deeper into why your pet may be struggling to pee in the backyard, here are a few steps you can take to keep your house clean and pee free! 

Step 1: Acclimate Them to the Yard

Irish Red Settlers sitting by a garden shed
Image by Dann Aragrim from Pixabay

If your dog is used to being inside, create an extension of their “inside” environment in the yard for them to get used to being outside. This can be done by placing a crate in the yard to create a small confined space. This is also helpful in distinguishing the difference between the play space and the toilet space, which minimises the distractions in the yard. 

We came across an interesting comment on a reddit thread about training dogs to eliminate outside. One user suggested taking the dog’s waste and placing it in the area you would like them to pee at. By using their amazing sense of smell, this sends a signal to them that that place is the right spot to release their waste. 

Step 2: Practise Positive Reinforcement 

Small dog outside being given a treat on a skateboard
Image by Petra from Pixabay

Just as you would reward good behaviour in your pets, give your very good student with treats or anything you know they would enjoy. By giving them praise and recognising their efforts to pee outside, this will motivate them to pee in the right place. In the case of a rescue dog, this is particularly important to reward them with something that they especially enjoy to associate going outside with something pleasant. 

Step 3: Be Observant; Timing is Everything!

Girl Hi-Fiving dog
Image by Zigmars Berzins from Pixabay

Potty training is one of the most stressful parts of pet ownership. Give yourself a break by stepping back and observing your dog throughout the day. Not only does this give you a much-needed breather, but you can also observe what body language and behaviours your dog shows right before needing to pee. By noting this, you can identify when your dog needs to pee right before it ruins your beautiful carpet! 

Another helpful tip is to use a leash once you can sense they are riling up to go. This allows you to guide them to the spot without them getting excited and running off to relieve themselves wherever. 

Step 4: Be Consistent

Man holding leash of black dog standing on top of a hill
Image by Guidy Willekens from Pixabay

Similar to a human child, dogs thrive on a structured routine! If you are consistent with encouraging your dog to pee outside, then results will happen sooner than later. Canines are very smart animals and will pick up on patterns if you are consistent with your actions. 

Preventing Happy Accidents 

Learning where to go to the toilet is as much of a journey as it is taking your four legged friends out on a walk or car ride. Along the way, you will encounter times where your dog will create messes in places that aren’t in the yard. Here are some great tools and tips to stay away such masterpieces being painted on your couches or beds! 

Spray To Redirect Peeing Behaviour 

Yellow and white box of Brady's Don't Pee Here concentrate tablets
Brady’s Don’t Pee Here – Indoors

One of the easiest ways to to stop your dog from peeing where you don’t want them to is by making their indoor pee spots less appealing. There are some interesting sprays on the market that stop dogs from peeing in specific spots, including Brady’s Don’t Pee Here – Indoors

Essential Oils 

A few drops of Citronella Oil or Peppermint-Lemongrass Oil behind the couch or by the bed will deter your dog from peeing there.

Homemade Remedies 

If you prefer to use some of the ingredients around the house, there are a number of home remedies to stop your dog peeing inside, and instead redirect your dog to pee outside. Vinegar, Chilli Powder, and Citrus Peels are all cheap ingredients you have at home that when placed in certain areas can make certain area’s less appealing for your furry friend, so they pee out in the yard instead.  

Potty Plant 

For anyone who doesn’t have a yard or want’s to avoid the pee stains on the grass, we also found this eco-friendly outdoor pee area called Potty Plant. This is an alternative to putting a crate outside.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Get My Dog to Pee in My Backyard?

Get them used to being in the yard and build the association that the outside is the place to relieve themselves. Use positive reinforcement such as treats to encourage them to go pee outside. 

Why Will My Dog Not Pee in the Yard?

Dog’s may associate the outside area to be a scary place. Rescue dogs may have been punished in the past by previous owners for peeing outside, which prevents them from being comfortable in your yard. On the other hand, your dog might consider the yard to be their safe zone, where they don’t want to relieve themselves in the same spot they sleep and play.

What Smells Encourage Dogs to Pee?

With dogs’ strong sense of smell, they may be encouraged to pee by smelling their own waste as they can determine that it is the right area to go. Ammonia is particularly helpful in replicating the smell of urine. 

How Can I Attract My Dog to Pee Outside?

Keep a consistent routine and set up a designated area for them to pee in, using an open crate or potty plant. Consider using pee training sprays and positive reinforcements to attract them to the area. 

How Long Can Puppies Hold Their Pee?

Depending on their age, a puppy can hold their pee for around an hour for each month they are old. For example, a 2-month-old can hold their pee for 2 hours, whereas a 4-month-old can hold it for 4. Once they reach the 5-month-old stage, they should have full control of their bladder.

Do Some Dogs Pick up on Potty Training Faster Than the Others?

Factors like breed, age, and history of previous ownership can all contribute to their ability to pick up potty training. However, with the tips and tricks we’ve outlined above, you can speed up this process for any type of furry friend!

On Your Way to Success! 

Turning your dog into a potty maestro is no daunting task and we hope that this article has lent an extra paw in saving your precious household furniture. 

By being consistent, observant, and having lots of positive reinforcement, teaching your dog to pee in the yard can become a pawsitive experience for both you and your best friend. 

Training your dog is no walk in the park, so remember that each dog is different and take it slow. In no time, you will have your dog peeing in the yard like a champion. 

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