House training
How do I potty train two adult dogs adopted at the same time?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Treat each dog as an individual case rather than assuming they will learn together as a pair, since two unrelated adult dogs, especially from different backgrounds, often arrive with very different existing habits, and training them jointly from day one usually means one dog's uncertainty holds back the other's progress.
Why unrelated adults differ from littermates
Littermates share the same age and background, but two adopted adults might have wildly different histories, one fully reliable and one never trained at all, so spending the first few days observing each dog individually, alternating who goes out alone, reveals the real starting point for each.
Structuring separate outings before combining them
Take each dog out on their own schedule for the first week to establish a clear baseline, then combine outings once each dog's pattern is understood, still rewarding each one individually the moment they finish rather than offering one shared reward for the pair.
Managing the indoor side of training
Use separate crates or pens, particularly if one dog is noticeably more reliable than the other, since a scent trail left by the less trained dog can pull the more advanced one back toward old habits even when they know better.
Key takeaways
- Two unrelated adult dogs often arrive with very different existing habits and need individual assessment first.
- Separate outings for the first week reveal each dog's real starting point before combining training.
- Separate confinement spaces prevent a less trained dog's scent trail from undermining the other's progress.