Dogs are creatures of habit, and their picking the same spot over and over to go potty is a perfect example of that. But what if you’ve moved to a new place, or you just need to get your dog to use a different spot at your home? Well, keep reading because in this article we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to get a dog to pee in a new place. Best of all, these tips will work whether you’d like your dog’s new bathroom spot to be indoors or outdoors.

How to Get a Dog to Pee in a New Spot

You can get a dog to pee in a new spot simply with a little patience and positive reinforcement. There will inevitably be some frustrations along the way, so it’s important to not scold or yell at your dog when they have troubles with learning their new spot to go. Getting angry will only cause your dog more anxiety, making your dog even less likely to use their new potty spot.

(Read our article on marking inside the house, if you want to stop that behavior.)

Use these easy-to-follow directions, whether your intended new spot is inside or outside:

1. Take your dog to their new potty spot

When it’s time for your dog to go, take them to their new potty spot, whether that be indoors or outdoors. Keep a positive attitude even if you’re stressed or worried about how your dog will do. If you don’t, your dog will pick up on this which will drive up their own anxiety. Since their nervousness about going is what prevents them from using new spots, you’ll obviously want to prevent this by presenting a relaxed, content demeanor to your dog.

2. Be patient and wait for them to go potty in the new spot

Once you’ve taken them to their new spot, it’s time to wait things out. Remind your dog verbally that it’s time to go potty, but don’t be pushy or forceful with your words. Give your dog time and allow them to sniff around and figure things out in this new area. They’re likely to give you resistance at least the first few times, so do your best not to give in. If you know your dog is particularly stubborn, make sure to allow for more time while you wait on them to figure things out.

3. Praise them when they go

Once your dog has gone potty, it’s time to give them immediate verbal praise — and some pets and scratches certainly wouldn’t hurt either! Bringing along some treats is also a good idea, particularly if you’re having trouble getting your dog to go in their new spot. Finally, of course don’t forget to pick up any droppings before you go.

4. Repeat and be consistent

Now all you’ll need to do is keep it up! If your dog doesn’t have success in the first few tries at their new spot, don’t give up! Keep going to the new area while following the steps above and they’ll get it soon enough. Dogs (even the “stubborn” ones) are incredibly responsive when positive reinforcement and consistency are used. Even dogs that are seemingly making no progress will have breakthrough moments where they figure things out, so don’t be discouraged if your dog isn’t picking things up in the first few days.

You should now know everything you need about how to get a dog to pee in a new place inside or outside. Remember that your dog will have troubles due to anxiety, so its important to be patient with them while they’re learning their new spot or things will only become more difficult. But with a little love and consistency, you’ll have them going right where you want in no time!

Why Won’t My Dog Go to the Bathroom in New Places?

Your dog won’t go to the bathroom in new places because there are going to be all sorts of new smells (remember they can smell much better than we can) and other things that they aren’t familiar with, which may be much different than they’re used to from their normal potty spot.

This will be true whether you’ve moved to a new area, or if you’re simply trying to designate a new spot for your dog to go at your current home.

Some dogs will be more anxious about these things than others, and you can have issues regardless of whether you’re wanting your dog to go inside or outside. Particularly anxious dogs can have trouble going in new spots inside your home even when the smells are coming from familiar things because it’s still not the “right” spot to which they’ve become accustomed.