I’ve discussed potty training for puppies before, but I haven’t delved deeply into the common problems many encounter during the process. I’ve received numerous questions about house training difficulties, especially regarding handling setbacks, so today I’ll tackle the most frequent concerns. Here are 5 common house training issues and how to resolve them.
Dogs Repeatedly Soiling the Same Indoor Spot
One of the most common house training problems is dogs consistently using the same indoor spot for elimination. It’s frustrating, but this behavior is often habitual—since they’ve previously ‘marked’ the area, they perceive it as a suitable place to go. Your dog is likely detecting residual urine odors, even if you believe the area is clean. A dog’s sense of smell is estimated to be at least 10,000 times more sensitive than ours, allowing them to pick up scents we can’t notice. Dogs tend to prefer eliminating in the same location, and any remaining urine scent indoors can override their inclination to go outside. If your dog smells urine in a specific indoor spot, they may readily use it again. To prevent this, thoroughly clean any accidents. It’s crucial to eliminate all odors your dog might detect. For urine smells in carpets, use an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet stains. These cleaners contain enzymes that bond with and break down the molecules causing odors, making stains and smells easier to remove. Enzymatic cleaners for pets break apart the molecular chains that create unpleasant urine odors and can be found at most pet supply stores. For more persistent cases, consider keeping your dog away from the soiled areas when unsupervised. As mentioned, habit plays a role—if your dog has a favorite rug for urination, they’ll likely return to it. The best prevention is either tethering your dog to you until fully potty trained or blocking off rooms/areas when supervision isn’t possible.
Accidents Happen When You’re Away at Work
Another common house training challenge is dogs having accidents when left alone at work or for extended periods. Generally, a puppy can hold their bladder for approximately one hour per month of age. A 3-month-old puppy may only manage 3 hours, which is problematic for full-time workers. Expecting a 3 or 4-month-old puppy to hold it for 8+ hours while you’re at work isn’t realistic. Some dog owners are fortunate to work in dog-friendly offices, but this isn’t common. If no one is home to take the puppy out during the day, consider these options: ask a friend, family member, or neighbor to take the dog out; return home during lunch breaks (if close); hire a dog sitter or dog walker; or enroll in doggie daycare (though it can be costly). Crate training is often suggested to prevent accidents when away. While crate training offers benefits like keeping dogs safe, it’s not a guaranteed solution for house training. Most dogs prefer not to soil their crate if possible, but remember: most puppies can’t hold it for 8 hours, crate or not. I’m not criticizing crate training—just emphasizing it’s not the miracle tool some claim. Dogs may be less likely to soil their crate than if roaming freely, but this only works as long as they physically can hold it.
Dogs Refusing to Eliminate Outdoors
How often have you taken your dog outside to potty, only to find them interested in everything except eliminating? You’re not alone—this is a widespread issue. Dogs refusing to go to the bathroom outdoors is a common house training problem, which is why the meme below resonates with many. 
If your dog doesn’t eliminate when taken outside, there could be several reasons. Some ask to go out to play or explore, and sometimes we take them out when they don’t need to. As dogs mature, their bladders grow, and they can hold it longer. If you take your dog out every 2 hours and they rarely go, they may not need to go that often—try extending to 3 hours. If your dog asks to go out but doesn’t eliminate within 5 minutes, they likely wanted to go out for non-potty reasons. While play and exploration are important, during house training, it’s better to take them back inside instead of indulging. The goal is for your dog to reliably ask to go out when they need to potty. If they ask for other reasons and you play along, they’ll learn to ask to go out to play. This is a personal choice, but I prefer keeping potty training simple to avoid confusion: ‘Is she asking to potty or play?’ I’m not suggesting being unkind—if your dog wants to play outside, take them back in and play indoors. As they get older and closer to being house trained, this can change. For the first month of potty training, try to make outdoor time focused on potty breaks. Avoid turning ‘do you need to go out’ into playtime. If you want to play outdoors, initiate it yourself, not when they ask.
Dogs Not Signaling When They Need to Go Out
A major house training issue is teaching dogs to signal when they need to go out. There’s a misconception that dogs quickly learn to indicate their need, but most don’t immediately pick up cues like scratching the door. The challenge is finding a reliable way for your dog to communicate their need to go outside. If your puppy isn’t letting you know, you’re not alone. Many dogs circle or sniff when needing to go, but these subtle signs are often missed. To avoid missing these cues, teach your dog a specific signal. Teaching your dog to use a specific cue—such as barking at the door or using a bell—ensures they can reliably get your attention when needing to go out. Choose a method and stick with it. Stand by your dog, encourage them to use the signal before going out, and praise enthusiastically when they do. With repetition, your dog will associate the signal with going outside and eventually use it independently.
Older Dogs Suddenly Urinating Indoors
If your older dog suddenly starts urinating indoors, it could be due to urine marking or an underlying medical issue. Younger dogs can also be affected—conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause frequent urination. Urine marking, or territorial marking, involves dogs purposefully urinating on specific areas. Dogs often mark during walks, but this can happen at home too—some mark new furniture or when a new pet is introduced. Have there been recent household changes? A new pet, baby, schedule, move, or longer alone time? Stress from these can lead to indoor urination. The good news is older dogs often respond well to a potty training refresher. Never punish accidents—thoroughly clean soiled areas and praise outdoor elimination. If your dog repeatedly urinates on furniture, block it with a baby gate. If anxiety when you leave leads to accidents, work on reducing separation anxiety. If no obvious changes explain the behavior, visit the vet. For previously house-trained older dogs, indoor elimination may signal medical issues, including: urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, and Cushing’s syndrome. If your house-trained dog suddenly starts soiling indoors, consult your veterinarian. 
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