House training
How do I potty train an adult dog that was never trained?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Use the same core method as puppy training, a fixed schedule, close supervision, and rewards within seconds of success outside, but expect it to take weeks rather than the days an owner might hope for with an adult dog. An adult's established habit of going indoors is harder to break than building a new one from scratch, since there is an existing pattern to undo first.
Why adults can be slower, not faster
It is a common assumption that an older dog, being more mature, should pick this up quickly, but an adult who has been going indoors for months or years has practiced that pattern thousands of times. Treat the first 2 weeks exactly like puppy training: constant supervision, a leash indoors if needed, and no unsupervised access to rooms where accidents have happened before.
Undoing the old pattern
Clean every previous accident spot thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner, since a lingering scent, even one you cannot smell yourself, pulls an adult dog straight back to the same corner out of habit. Block full access to that room for a few weeks if accidents keep happening there despite cleaning, and reintroduce it gradually once the new outdoor habit is solid.
Key takeaways
- An adult dog with an established indoor habit often needs weeks of supervision, similar to puppy training.
- Thorough enzymatic cleaning of old accident spots removes the scent cues that pull a dog back.
- Blocking access to a repeat accident room for a few weeks helps break a deeply set habit.