Outside potty training at an older age?

[Charliesmama 0]

How would one go about teaching a dog that is almost a year and a half old to go outside if all she is trained for is indoors? Would crating be the best method?

[tzukeeper 12]

I have had Lukie for about 6 months now and when he came into my home it was evident that he never had any potty training. He is about 2 1/2 years old. I have wood and tile floors so the accidents were not something I stressed over too much. I don't crate him while I am at work but he is confined to a smaller room with potty pads. I have doggy doors that the dogs have access to when I am home. With lots of consistancy and patience he is starting to understand that all potty business is taken care of in the great outdoors. We do have the occasional accident but I just clean it up and move along. I never reprimand after the fact. If I catch him in the act I tell him "NO NO" and hurry him outside where he should have gone potty. Crating is a great tool for potty training if used in the right way. I do not believe in putting a dog in a crate for punishment. I don't think they understand that nor do I think it is effective. Their crate should be a good and safe place that they want to be. Praise for a job done well and in the right place is a better use of your energy. Patience and consistancy are the keys to success in potty training. Dogs are very eager to please the people they love....use that to your advantage

Lukie

[Luna 8,676]

We have always crate-trained and it has always worked well for us (except for the Lowchen, but that's another story). No matter what method you choose, the most important thing is consistency. I think I did a post on our crate-training method some time back. If I can find it I'll bump it up for you.