Cascadian Nomads
  • Pet Adventure Blog
  • Cascadia- About Our Area
  • Nomads- About Us
    • Cascadian Nomads Advertising Opportunities
  • Humans
  • Canines
  • Psittacines
  • Felines
  • Contact

The Second Most Important Cue To Teach Active, Traveling Dogs

7/29/2014

16 Comments

 
Cascadian Nomads traveling canines waiting for their We're here! Can we "go" now?
Typist: Bethany
The number one most important command for an active, traveling or any dog to know is "come." And your dog knows it, right? And you practice it every day, even several times a day, correct? How about today? It's okay. I'll wait....

Great. Now that you and your best friend have had a fun and productive recall training session, take your dog outside. You are now on your way to teaching the second most important command for a dog that travels and leads an active lifestyle. Yes, the one you came to read about: "go potty." Did I mention that "go potty' is one of the easiest cues to teach your dog? Well it is. All you have to do is label the behavior each and every time your dog does it. I use two separate cues for pee and for poop, "go potty" and "go poo-poo." When Wilhelm, Brychwyn or Huxley do their business, I say "go potty" or "go poo-poo" with their name while they are doing one or the other. Then I tell them "good potty" or "good poo-poo" and praise them with petting or a treat


Teaching "go potty" is like starting over with house training but just as worth it!
If you'd like to teach your traveling or active dog to go potty on cue, first pick a cue. I have heard many creative cues like "hurry, hurry," "do business," "squat"  and "leg lift." Next, use that cue while your dog does the action you are labeling each and every time they do it. Like all training, consistency is key! For those of you who usually let your dog out in the yard to relieve themselves alone, your dog will either not learn the cue at all or they will not learn it quickly and reliably. Teaching this cue doesn't take long if you take the time to teach it.

Be a one person pee and poop cheering section.
After your dog goes pee or poop, tell them what a good job they did, using your cue word or phrase again, praise and/or reward. The more excited you are about your dogs new "trick," the more excited your dog will be and the faster they will catch on. Just like with house training (or any training,) positivity and joy go a long ways.
Potty patience is a virtue.
The biggest mistake trainers make in teaching "go potty" (among other tricks!) is asking the dog to go on cue before the dog fully understands what is expected. In fact, the phrase "haste makes waste" could never be more wrong! How do you know your dog is beginning to understand the cue? One sign is that your dog will begin to come to you for their praise and/or reward after eliminating. This is when you should start to cue the behavior before it happens- immediately before it happens! When you see signs your dog might do their business, say your cue. You will know you have moved too fast if you give the cue and your dog does nothing. Remember that when your dog fails, it's because the trainer has failed! It's never the dogs fault. Unfortunately, moving too quickly with the "go potty" (or any) cue means you must step backwards and give the cue while your dog is actually eliminating as well as getting extra exuberant about the results.
My neighbors probably think I am a lunatic for constantly talking to my dogs about their outdoor bathroom habits. I even sometimes sing a happy little song. Seriously. However, when we're off-schedule on a road trip and roll into a campground at midnight, I sure am glad I can whisper a "go potty" cue to my pups and we can get to sleep. Tynan was an excellent marathon training partner because I could give him a "go potty" or "go poo-poo" cue whenever we stopped then we could keep on moving. The only interruptions in my training times were because of me and not my awesome fit dog. Wilhelm, Brychwyn, Huxley and I have been late on many urban hikes because of closed trails or unexpected art. Yet I can tell all three dogs to get their business done so we can rush back uninterrupted. Fortunately, I have never had to use the number one most important "come" command during a stressful time traveling. However, the number two command, for going number one and also two, has been useful more times than I can count!
Cascadian Nomads active canines who know
Cascadian Nomads canines on the move; dogs that pee or poop on cue are the best fitness partners!
Does your dog know how to go pee or poop on cue? Please share your tips!
Are you planning to teach this command to your dog? Leave us a comment!

Share this post:

Tweet

16 Comments
Molly The Wally link
7/28/2014 09:13:54 pm

Have to say not one of my finer moments as it took a year to get the house training thing sorted. Who was more stubborn? Think it was both of us. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 08:35:23 am

I know someone else who had a hard time with house training Molly and stubbornness is one reason. But with the urban life you live in such a rainy spot, I bet you're good at going quickly outside now!

Reply
Taryn link
7/28/2014 09:22:21 pm

I taught it pretty much the same way you did, so no tips. Go Poop really doesn't work for us as my guys tend to poop on a body schedule, and not just because I need them to. They are boys, so pees are always easy. A new location means a new opportunity to send P-mail!

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 08:37:35 am

"Go poop" is definitely more of a suggestion. Schedule and body cues let me know when the dogs need reminders to get the poop done when we have a small window of time to make it happen!

Reply
Leah Erb link
7/29/2014 12:53:36 am

Great training tip and well explained! I often say "good pee" and "good poop", but have been neither consistent nor especially enthusiastic in voice and with treats. I'm going to start with your suggestions. Zack is pretty good at going anywhere and everywhere, but Zoe tends to hold back until she gets home (which worries me on anything other than a day trip). ... oh, and I'm going to try the same technique with "shaking", to encourage shaking off wet hair Before coming in the house!

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 08:39:26 am

The same technique does work for a "shake" command to get the rain off. Brychwyn, Wilhelm and Leo are all great at it but since Huxley doesn't shake naturally, it has been harder for him to learn. Good thing I have a lot of rags!

Reply
Laika link
7/29/2014 03:47:13 am

Here we always say: Go poo to dad or go pee to mom. It works almost all the time.

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 08:43:24 am

These commands can't necessarily be perfect 100% of the time because you pup just might not need to go! but it help to know they know what you mean and that they'll try.

Reply
Emma link
7/29/2014 04:10:02 am

We do the go potty when asked, poo is another story. If we need to go, we usually will do shortly after being asked, but if we don't need to, forget it. Come is something we always work on but it always depends on whether or not a squirrel or wabbit might be more interesting. Yes, we are almost always on leash, can't be trusted.

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 08:42:15 am

Not to be too graphic, but poop can't be squeezed out on a whim like pee can. So getting the pee done on a road trip stop is easy but if poop doesn't happen, suggesting it can help but it's usually okay to wait. We keep it safe and stay on leash too but in case of an emergency, we always practice "come!"

Reply
M. K. Clinton link
7/29/2014 04:49:35 am

The boys both do very well in the "do your business" department. The "come" is usually met with an eye roll unless it is dinnertime! They are never, ever, ever allowed to be off leash. Most of their play is in the safety of our fenced back yard.

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 08:50:40 am

Hounds and terriers are notoriously difficult to teach "go potty" and "come" to. So you've got one- don't stop practicing the other!

Reply
Oz the Terrier link
7/30/2014 01:25:28 am

Don't laugh but my cue is "Pee-Pee-1-2-3"...and I am a peeing machine! I do not have a poop command though but the pee-pee command is so useful for before we head out on a road trip, on our last walk of the night (even when camping).

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 08:47:15 am

Oh, I wouldn't dare laugh since I have my go potty song... that I even sing quietly on the last walk of the night when camping!

Reply
Jodi, Koly & Fe link
8/3/2014 01:42:10 am

We've been working on this with Koly & Fe, mostly so they know to go before we get in the car for the drive to our lake house. Nothing is worse and scarier than trying to pull off the freeway because Kol is HOWLING for a bathroom break. (It's happened twice due to poor planning on my part. He poops, like clockwork, at 7 pm. WHY do I even have us in the car at that time?! *SMH*)

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 08:45:17 am

Huxley has forced a few pullovers as well. It's getting better now that he is older but he really doesn't like his "bathroom" routine disrupted!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Cascadian Nomads
    Pet Adventurers

    Cascadian Nomads adventurous dogs and parrot with pet and travel blogger, Bethany Clochard.
    Cascadian Nomads canines and psittacine on a road trip with blogger Bethany Clochard.
    Pet travel blogger Bethany Clochard shares a lifetime of budget travel experience, camping, and enjoying outdoors & Pacific NW adventures with pets. She currently hits the road with three dogs, a cockatoo & a cat.
    Related
    Instagram Follow on Instagram
    Picture


    Follow on Bloglovin
    follow us in feedly
    Picture

    Never miss a post! Have Cascadian Nomads Pet Adventure Blog delivered to your inbox:

    Delivered by FeedBurner


      Get our e-mail newsletter:

    Sign-Up

    Find anything on our site by searching here:
    Click any sidebar image to learn more!

    Cascadian Nomads only places ads for products we use, made by businesses we like. We highly recommend a click to
    visit our sponsors:
    (not affiliate links)
    WrapSit Quad Folding Chair Slipcover
    WrapSit is the ONLY slipcover crate for your folding quad chair. It makes taking pets and personal items outside or on a trip exponentially easier!


    Join us on the First Monday of Every Month!
    Positive Pet Training Week

    Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week
    Hosted by Cascadian Nomads, Tenacious Little Terrier,
    Travels with Barley, and
    Wag n' Woof Pets.

    Picture
    Celebrate #MultiPetDay June 30th

    Categories

    All
    Adventures
    Amelia
    A To Z Challenge
    Awards
    Birds
    Black & White Photography
    Blog The Change For Animals
    Brychwyn
    Budget Travel
    Camping
    Cascadia
    Cats
    Celebrations
    Cockatoo
    Collie
    Corgi
    Cross Country Drive 2013
    Dachshund
    Dogs
    England & Wales 2014
    Fit Dog Friday
    Giveaway
    Holidays
    Humans Who Love Pets
    Huxley
    Leash-law
    Leo
    Multi Pet Life
    Peeks At The Past
    Pet Fitness
    Pet Health
    Pet Training
    Pet Travel
    Photography
    Planning Pet Adventures
    Positive Pet Training Week
    Product Review
    Road Trip
    Scoop That Poop
    Seattle
    Silliness
    Southwest-drive-2014
    Sponsored Post
    Urban Hikes
    Walk Your Dog Week
    What To Pack
    Wilhelm
    Woof-support
    Wordless Wednesday


    The Cascadian Nomads are:
    Cascadian Nomads Bethany with the dogs and Leo at Wilson's Arch, Moab, Utah
    Cascadian Nomads triton cockatoo Leo enjoys the sunshine in West Seattle, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads adventurous cat Amelia enjoying the view in West Seattle, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads black and tan dapple miniature dachshund
    Cascadian Nomads cardigan welsh corgi Brychwyn, Alpental, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads rough collie Huxley enjoying the green at Lopez Hill Park, Lopes Island, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads Jason with miniature dachshund Wilhelm snowshoeing Silver Fir Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads founding pets:
    Cascadian Nomads Founding Pets: Cockatiel Bobbie Birdie, cats Emily and Gryphon and dog Tynan.

    Features & Awards

    See products on this blog you like? Find all of our favorites on our Amazon Influencer page!
    Picture

    Bethany Clochard (@cascadiannomads) - influencer profile on Dealspotr
    dealspotr.com

    © Copyrighted Content
    Posts, words, photos or images from or featured on this blog may not be copied, reused or reproduced in any form without the prior express permission from the blog owner.

    The Doug

    The Fine Print
    For more on Cascadian Nomads privacy policy, advertising disclosure and responsibilities to our readers and visitors, click here.

Disclaimer
Cascadian Nomads are not veterinarians, behaviorists or animal trainers. Always consult with a veterinarian before starting or changing your pets exercise routine, before traveling with your pet, before changing your pets diet or before using any new pet products. Since all pets are unique individuals, consulting with a veterinarian, behaviorist or animal trainer about your pets specific needs is always recommended.
Disclosure
Every post  Cascadian Nomads publishes that is sponsored by a company or brand or obtained through an affiliation with a media network will contain a disclosure paragraph.  We do not use any affiliate links,  just regular links to a product or company website.  Cascadian Nomads only shares honest information that we feel is relevant to our readers whether a post is sponsored or not.
Privacy Policy
Cascadian Nomads does not share personal information with third-parties nor do we store information we collect about your visit to this blog for use other than to analyze content performance for marketing purposes. We do use cookies and add-ons, which you can turn off at anytime by modifying your Internet browser's settings or opt out of  add-ons. We are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without our permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice.
Copyrighted Content
Posts, words, photos or images from or featured on this blog may not be copied, reused or reproduced in any form without the prior express permission from the blog owner.

©2013-25
BethanyGO Designs


Cascadian Nomads Pet Adventure Blog: Budget pet adventure inspiration through stunning photography and amusing dog, cat, cockatoo and human stories.