Toilet Training Troubles:
Why Accidents Happen and What They’re Really Saying
Oops! Didn’t Mean To!
Toilet training is one of the most important foundations of living harmoniously with your dog. But when things go off track—occasional accidents, frequent messe s, or total confusion—it’s not just frustrating, it’s also puzzling.
The truth is, toilet training issues aren’t always about disobedience or stubbornness. They can signal something deeper—confusion, fear, anxiety, or even a medical concern. Whether it’s a puppy still figuring things out, or an adult dog who “suddenly forgot” their manners, the reasons behind toilet training setbacks can vary widely.
What Toilet Training Issues Can Look Like:
Dogs may display a range of elimination-related behaviors that seem like “accidents” but are often symptoms of an underlying issue:
• Frequent indoor accidents despite regular walks
• Urinating or defecating right after coming indoors
• Marking spots around the house—especially near furniture or walls
• Going in hidden corners or under furniture
• Sudden regression in a previously toilet-trained dog
• Peeing when excited, scared, or during greetings (submissive urination)
Why Toilet Training Issues Happen:
There are many reasons a dog might struggle with toilet habits. Here are some of the most common and often overlooked causes:
• Lack of Clear Routine: Dogs thrive on consistency. Without a structured schedule, they may not understand when or where they’re expected to go.
• Delayed or Inconsistent Training: If toilet training wasn’t addressed early or was handled with punishment, it can create confusion, fear, or resistance.
• Over- or Under-Supervision During Puppyhood: Puppies who were given too much freedom too soon or who were scolded for mistakes may develop hidden peeing habits or indoor elimination routines.
• Stress and Anxiety: Changes in environment, new people, loud noises, or conflicts at home can make dogs anxious—and accidents often follow.
• Medical Issues: Urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal discomfort, or hormonal imbalances can lead to unexpected accidents in otherwise trained dogs.
• Marking Behavior (Not Accidents): Particularly in unneutered males (but not exclusively), marking is often more about territory than toilet needs.
• Excitement or Submissive Urination: Some dogs pee when they’re overjoyed or nervous. This is often misread as a training failure, when it’s actually emotional.
It’s Not Just Puppies—Adult Dogs Struggle Too
People often associate toilet training only with puppies, but adult dogs can also develop elimination issues. These may stem from:
• Incomplete training in the past
• Recent changes in their routine, home, or family
• Age-related incontinence or medical issues
Emotional triggers or unresolved trauma Adopted or rescued dogs often face an extra layer of confusion. Many have lived in shelters, on the streets, or in multiple homes—where consistent toilet habits were never taught or reinforced. Some may have been punished in the past for accidents, causing them to hide or fear going in front of humans. Others may simply never have been given the opportunity to learn.
For them, patience and positive reinforcement are key. It’s not about re-training—it’s often about training from scratch, with empathy.
What Not to Do
Toilet training challenges can be emotionally draining for both the dog and the family—but using punishment, yelling, or physical correction only makes it worse. These approaches teach the dog to fear toileting in front of humans, which may lead to:
• Sneaky accidents behind furniture
• Holding pee/poop until the dog is in extreme distress
• Anxiety and mistrust around their humans
Instead, we must teach, guide, and reward—never punish.
Helpful Tips to Support Toilet Training
Here are a few simple and supportive practices to put in place:
• Stick to a Predictable Routine: Regular feeding and walk times help the dog’s body and mind get into rhythm.
• Praise the Right Moments: Don’t just give a treat—make your dog feel like they’ve done something amazing when they go in the right spot.
• Observe Patterns: Does your dog prefer a certain time of day, surface, or quiet space? Learn their cues.
• Avoid Rushing: Some dogs need time to sniff and feel safe before they eliminate. Rushing them creates pressure.
• Use Positive Markers: Teach a cue word like “go potty” and reward immediately after successful elimination.
• Clean Accidents Thoroughly: Use enzymatic cleaners to completely remove scent so your dog doesn’t return to the same spot.
When to Seek Help
You might want to consider professional guidance if:
• Your dog continues to have frequent accidents despite consistent efforts
• There’s anxiety, fear, or refusal to eliminate in your presence
• You have a rescue or adopted dog who seems lost or confused about toileting
• There’s a medical concern (frequent urination, pain, excessive drinking)
• Your dog only eliminates in unsafe or inappropriate areas (inside crate, bed, etc.)
A behaviorist can help identify whether the issue is emotional, physical, or pattern-based—and guide you with a customized plan tailored to your dog’s life and history.
Toilet Training is About Trust, Not Just Timing
Toilet training isn’t just a rule—it’s a form of communication. When we listen with empathy and respond with consistency, we help our dogs feel safe, understood, and relaxed in their environment. Whether you’re raising a puppy or welcoming an adult rescue, patience and kindness will always go further than punishment or pressure.
With the right guidance, every dog—regardless of age or background—can learn to trust the process and thrive in their home.
