How Can I Potty Train My Pet?

How Can I Potty Train My Pet?

One of the most important things to do as a new pet owner is ensure that your pet is properly potty-trained.  Both dogs and cats need to be trained to eliminate either outdoors or in a litter box, respectively, to ensure that your house stays clean and sanitary, and to establish good overall behavior.  The process of potty-training for any pet can be intimidating, but these simple tips can make things a whole lot easier and ensure success.

Of course, ideally you can potty-train your pet from when they’re a puppy or kitten.  But, if you’ve adopted an older pet who was never trained, you can still effectively get them to follow the proper protocol with a little time and effort.

House-Training a Dog

House-training a dog is a process that should start as soon as you have the puppy or adult dog in your new home.

Tip #1: Frequent Trips Outdoors

First off, it’s ideal to bring your dog outdoors every 1 to 2 hours, to familiarize themselves with the process of eliminating outside, and establish a sense of safety outdoors.  Also, take them outside after they sleep as well as after they eat.  They will get accustomed to the routine of eliminating outside over time.

Tip #2: Keep Feeding Time and Outdoor Time Consistent

Dogs are very sensitive to routine, and so you want to stick to the same feeding times and elimination times so that they develop an internal schedule to reinforce the idea of potty time. 

Tip #3: Try Crate-Training Early On

Crate-training is a great aid in potty-training.  A dog will not want to eliminate wherever they sleep, so when you’re not able to supervise them when they sleep, crating them while they adjust to their new routine can train them to hold in their waste until they’re able to go back outdoors.

Tip #4: Positive Reinforcement Goes a Long Way

Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement, in the form of praise and, of course, treats.  When they eliminate outside, make an effort to consistently use the same type of positive reinforcement method to let them know that they’re doing a good job, and should keep up the great work.

Tip #5: Avoid Potty Pads if Possible 

Potty pads may seem like a great step to potty-training, but it can backfire by training your dog that eliminating inside is acceptable, even when the pad is eventually taken away.  Of course, some dogs need potty pads, such as dogs who are ill, injured or live in a high-rise apartment.

Litter-Training a Cat

Cats are a bit easier to potty-train, because they instinctively seek out sandy material to eliminate in, like the litter in their litter box.  Still, you want to develop good habits early on in case they’re not as consistent as you’d like them to be.

Tip #1: Choose the Right Litter Box and Litter, and the Right Amount of Boxes

It’s critical to choose the right litter box and litter, and the right number of litter boxes for your household.  Take your pet’s size into consideration when choosing the depth and width of the litter box, and avoid litter boxes that are covered, since pets do not like being stuck in a box, smelling their own waste.  Find a high-quality litter that is not fragranced, since cats strongly dislike fragrances.  And, as a rule of thumb, you should have one litter box per floor of your home, per cat.

Tip #2: Place Your Litter Box Thoughtfully

Find the right place for your litter box so that your cat feels safe when it’s time to use it.  You want to keep the litter box(es) in a quiet area of the home away from lots of foot traffic, and private enough that your cat won’t get easily distracted.  But, avoid areas that are too hidden, as cats like to be able to see around them while they eliminate, as a natural instinct to know if predators are around the corner.

Tip #3: Introduce Them to Their Box(es)

You should formally introduce your cat to their litter box or boxes, by bringing them to each one and allowing them to sniff.  Place the cat in the box, and then run your fingers through it to show them the litter.  If they don’t start using the box after you show it to them, consider placing them in the box after they eat and wake up from a nap, when they’re most likely to need to go.

Tip #4: Use Positive Reinforcement

Like dogs, cats are easily led by positive reinforcement.  Again, consider consistently using the same positive reinforcement method each time they use the litter box, such as praise or, even better, some type of treat.

Tip #5: Clean the Box Regularly

Make sure to clean out the litter box at least once a day to eliminate waste, and dump and replace the litter, along with cleaning the box, at least once a week.  A cat is not going to want to use their litter box if it smells all the time.

Is CBD a Helpful Potty Training Motivator?

In the event that your pet is making slower progress than you had hoped, you might want to work some cannabidiol (CBD) into their daily routine.  Some pets may struggle with their potty routine because of stress or physical discomfort that makes it hard to walk over to the designated elimination spot.  As a natural, plant-derived cannabinoid, CBD works with your pet’s endocannabinoid system to regulate functions related to things like stress response, physical discomfort levels, mobility and more.

Try Chill Paws CBD to Potty Train Your Pet Today!

At Chill Paws, you can find lab-tested, nontoxic CBD products made for cats and dogs, formulated to be safe for their bodies and easy to administer on a daily basis.  We offer the following for pets who could use a little help with potty-training, as well as all kinds of aspects of their day-to-day lives: 


Chill Paws CBD products are known for helping dogs and cats with discomfort, stress, and other symptoms that can interfere with their potty routines.

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