After many long weeks, you’ve finally got your pup potty trained and things are going well, then all of a sudden they start having accidents in the house again. What happened? Before you let your frustration take over, know that this is a completely normal experience called potty training regression.
What is Potty Training Regression?
Simply put, potty training regression is when a trained dog starts reverting back to its old ways and going to the bathroom inside again. It’s not a reason to worry in most cases— regression is common in puppies and young dogs up to a year old (assuming you have been training them since they were young).
What Causes the Regression?
There are a few reasons that regression might happen.
- They simply start forgetting. Learning and mastering a new skill takes a lot of work, and as a puppy, your dog is learning new things every day! Their brain is still developing, so it is easy for some of the new skills they have learned to slip through the cracks. You may notice it happening in other areas of training as well but few are as frustrating or messy as with potty training. Fortunately, a skill is much easier for them to re-master after they have already gone through the training, so you will quickly be able to get your dog progressing again.
- Anxiety or stress. Once a pup has a better grasp on its training, the owner may start leaving the house for longer periods of time. Without proper preparation, these extended absences may lead to separation anxiety which can, in turn, manifest in potty training regression. Big changes in general (like moving to a new house, having someone move in or move out, or increased stress levels of other members of the family) can cause your dog to regress as well.
- Medical Issues. Regression can sometimes be a symptom of various illnesses. A common cause, particularly for female dogs, is a UTI. UTIs are painful and make your dog feel the need to urinate more frequently, making it likely they will have accidents indoors. If you suspect a UTI or other illness, contact your vet immediately.
What to Do?
One of the best things you can do is to get your dog back on a regular potty schedule. Start with an amount of time shorter than you think they can currently handle. Commit to taking them out on this schedule for a few days before slowly increasing the time. Supervise your pup while they are inside so that they aren’t able to sneak off and go to the bathroom in a corner. If you are not able to keep your eyes on them, put them in their crate—dogs are clean animals by nature, and will not want to dirty their own space.
Most importantly, recognize that this regression is not intentional or spiteful. It is a common part of training and a reality that you and your dog will likely have to face. With that in mind, have patience as you continue working on their training—negatively punishing them for these accidents will only increase their stress. Instead, praise them highly for their successes.
Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training is a Bradenton-based dog training facility that provides puppy training, obedience training, and playcare.
