Dog poop in the garden: how to teach your dog to do its business in one spot?

For many people it can be annoying when they step in dog poo while walking in their garden. How much simpler it would be if your pet could be left in one place to do its business. But it's not impossible, we show you how to teach him!

Dog poop isn’t exactly a garden ornament, especially when it ends up in the middle of a flowerbed or on the sole of your shoe. But when nature calls, it calls… The good news is that it’s much easier to designate a small area in the garden where your pet can do its business than it is to teach them to use a toilet. We’ll show you how to get your dog to do its business in one spot!

Step one: prepare the ground for your dog

Choose a corner of your garden that your four-legged friend can safely use as a toilet. For more modest dogs, it’s a good idea to find a more secluded spot where they would feel more comfortable doing their business, rather than in full view of passersby. Mark the area somehow, perhaps by fencing it off, to make it more recognizable. You can help by spreading some gravel or a bit of soil, which may be more appealing to the dog. You can also place some of their previous waste there to attract them with the scent. Make sure to pick up all the dog poop from the rest of the garden and wash down the spots where it was, so the smell doesn’t linger elsewhere.

Step two: teach your dog using it

Dogs typically do their business after moving around or eating. So, after breakfast or dinner, take your dog out to the garden on a leash and lead them to the spot you’ve designated as their toilet. Always walk the same route to help them establish the habit. If they do their business in the right spot, praise them with a treat and some petting —o f course, only after they’ve finished their private task.

Step three: be consistent

If you only do the second step occasionally, your dog won’t understand what you want from them. Until they start going on their own, accompany them. After a short period, you can take off the leash, as they’ll naturally follow the familiar path to the designated area.

Step four : keep the toilet clean

During the training period, you can leave a small encouraging pile for them, but never more than that. Dogs don’t like doing their business in a place that isn’t clean — in fact, they find it disgusting.

How do you know when nature is calling your dog?

Dogs typically go to the toilet after moving around or eating, but their body language also indicates when they’re about to go. They’ll start to fidget, sniff around, and look for a spot. When you see this, guide them to the designated area so they can relieve themselves there.

It’s important never to scold them if they accidentally do their business somewhere else. Learning this takes time, and it’s not something that can be rushed. Slowly but surely, they’ll get the hang of it. If you don’t want your pet to do their business in the garden at all, you’ll need to establish a routine of frequent walks.