5 steps to teaching your dog to potty on command

There’s nothing more satisfying than the moment the light bulb goes off and he realizes what I’m trying to get him to do. High five, shame, and roll over are all amusing party tricks that can win even cat people over, but none of these are my favorite.
My favorite trick doesn’t make anyone laugh. It’s not cute or original, but it makes me happy in winter at 6 am: my dog goes potty on command.
Getting potty on command is pretty easy. Your dog already does the behavior you’re looking for (peeing and pooping), so all you need to do is grab some treats and capture it! Capturing is all about pinpointing the exact moment your dog does what you want it to do. It’s like taking a photo of that moment. (Because you’ve always wanted many photos of your dog pooping).
1. Pick the word you’re going to use that will mean “go pee” to your dog. You could use the classic “go potty,” the police dog cue “empty,” or even “abracadabra!” It doesn’t matter what you say, as long as you say it consistently.
2. Figure out when your dog most predictably goes to the bathroom. The three big pee motivators are: waking up, playing, and drinking. What goes in must come out, and by setting a schedule for your dog, you can predict when he/she will need to go outside. Knowing that your dog needs to go to the bathroom is key in capturing the behavior.
3. Take your dog to the designated potty spot. When your dog needs to eliminate, leash him/her up and relocate to your designated potty spot. This could be a corner of your backyard, the tree in front of your building, or the curb. If you’re worried your dog might go before you get to the spot, pick them up and carry them there (if you can—if you have a Great Pyrenees, this may not be possible!).
4. Wait for your dog to go. Give no attention as you pace quietly back and forth by the pee spot. When your dog squats or lifts their leg, wait for them to finish. As they finish, happily say your cue word: “GO POTTY!” When they’re done, give a marker (like a verbal “Yes!” or the click of a clicker), then lavish them with praise and something really yummy.
5. Add the cue before the action. After a week or two, give the cue “go potty!” right before the pee happens, but still wait to say “Yes” or click until after they’ve completely finished. This ensures your marker doesn’t distract them mid-business.
One big tip: While teaching this behavior, don’t accidentally punish the “go potty” by bringing your dog inside immediately after they eliminate. Instead, give lots of praise, toss the ball once or twice, or walk your dog to their favorite sniffing spots for 30 to 60 seconds.
Once your dog has mastered the behavior, start to vary your rewards. Only reward the quickest pees or the times when you tell them to go, even when their bladder is nearly empty but they squeeze out a few drops. Always give praise, but save the best rewards for the best performances—like a ball toss or a special treat.
If you want to put bowel movements on cue as well, pick a different cue word. You should have separate cues for “go pee” and “go poo” since they are two different actions. Once your dog has the first elimination on command, start working on the second with a new cue.
Peeing and pooping have never been so fun.
Want more info? Make sure to listen to our podcast episode all about how to house train a dog!