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Tips for toilet training a rescue dog to wee in the garden

2 replies

Starlight1979 · 13/04/2026 14:39

We have recently taken on a gorgeous rescue dog who has had quite a traumatic life but is good as gold and is settling in nicely with our pack and in our home 😊

However, she spent a long time (years) in a shelter and - whilst she is toilet trained to the extent of going when we are out on walks - she doesn't have any issue with weeing on the floor / rug / carpet if she needs to go during the night.

All our dogs (we have two others) get walked twice a day (usually around 7am for an hour and then 2-3pm for an hour) and then just go out into the garden before bed for a wee (or poo if they need one). However new pup flat out refuses to wee in the garden no matter how long we stand outside for. We kind of thought she would just follow the other two and go for a wee with them but it's not happening!

As such I've been taking her out for a walk before bed every night but DH has said we need to start training her to go in the garden with the other two and has said we just need to stand and wait until she eventually goes, even if it takes 10-15 minutes (probably longer!). His argument is that we did it with the other two (but they are different as we had them since puppies) so we can do it with her.

Does anyone have any experience of toilet training rescue dogs to go in the garden?? And any tips or advice that has worked for you?

Thank you so much!

OP posts:
Harpertron · 13/04/2026 22:53

I rescued a dog at 6 months who was not house trained at all and would pee over the furniture etc because she didn't know any better. What worked for me, was completely ignoring it when it happens in the house and when she did it outside, she got the best treat ever e.g. a piece of meat and lots of praise. I would also take her out every hour for a wee etc. It took a while but worked a treat. I also taught her to wee on command by saying 'Go pee pee' when she did wee outside and then the association with this phrase, means that she puts the two together. House training, takes patience and determination and kindness. Good luck!

jeaux90 · 14/04/2026 07:20

Agree with Harperton. Make the outside wee the best thing ever with treats. Inside no reaction. You will have to be vigilant for a while on their toilet schedule.

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