DTE Answers to Common Questions About Cats and Dogs. Part 015 by Nene Ajayi

 

🚽 Potty Training Pets

The Puddles. The Poop. The Perseverance.

It started with a squish.

At 6:08 a.m., I tiptoed into the living room with one eye open and a head full of prayer points, only to step into something suspiciously warm and wet. Blaze looked at me from his corner, ashamed. Raya? She had the decency to act guilty. Stu the cat? She sauntered by like, “Amateurs.”

I stood there, one leg raised like a flamingo, asking myself:

“Why didn’t I just wake up 10 minutes earlier?”

 “Why is it always my rug?”

 “Is this payback for feeding them goat meat yesterday?”

The kids were still asleep. My husband had already left for his early hospital shift. I was alone with the consequences of poorly timed potty training.

And that’s when I knew I had to get serious.

How Do You Successfully Potty Train Your Pets Without Losing Your Sanity, Floor, or Faith?

Because I can’t be living like this. I have guests. And ordinary slippers.

🧠 Did You Know?

🔹Potty training relies heavily on routine, consistency, and positive reinforcement.

🔹Dogs, especially, thrive on knowing when and where to go, but they need help connecting the dots.

🔹Cats? If they’re healthy and the litter box is clean, they usually train themselves. 

🔹But even Stu had a rebellious teenage phase involving potted plants.

📋 What I Know Now

✅ Young pets can’t hold it for long; about 1 hour per month of age.

✅ Accidents aren’t rebellion, they’re signals that we missed the signs.

✅ Negative reinforcement like shouting can delay training and build fear.

✅ Praise and treats = toilet triumphs.

🔁 What I Now Practice

⭐ Designated Toilet Zones; one inside for emergencies, one outside for habit.

⭐ Regular Schedule – we go after waking, after meals, and every 2–4 hours.

⭐ Praise Like a Maniac, when they get it right, we cheer like it’s Pentecost Sunday.

⭐ Accident Cleanup with Enzyme Cleaners,  not just bleach. Pets smell what we can’t.

⭐Bell Training – Blaze now rings a bell at the door when he needs to go. Raya… just sits by it and waits for someone to notice.

📌 What to Take Seriously

✍️ Frequent accidents can mean health issues, especially if your pet was already trained.

✍️ If you're not consistent, neither are they.

✍️ Punishment never works long-term. Trust, however, builds habits.

🛍️ Helpful Links to Save Your Floors and Your Nerves

🛒 Bestselling Puppy Training Pads – Lifesavers on rainy days.

🛒 Pet Enzyme Stain & Odor Remover – Because bleach alone won’t cut it.

🛒 Dog Training Bell Kit – Let them ring to pee!

🛒 Cat Litter Box with High Sides – Stu’s palace. No spills, no smells.

💩 How The Morning Finally Turned Out

After cleaning up and reciting several "Father forgive them for they know not what they do", I leashed Blaze and Raya, and we marched outside. Raya did her business first — clean, tidy, like a royal. Blaze sniffed around for 12 minutes before finally blessing the earth.

We came back in. Stu was still on the sink, staring at the mop.

Later that evening, Blaze rang the bell. I cried. Not a lot. Just a dignified single tear.

We’re making progress. One poop at a time.

✨ Final Thoughts 

Potty training isn’t just about house rules,  it’s about understanding your pet’s rhythms, setting up routines, and teaching them to trust your lead.

If you’re patient, persistent, and positive, they’ll get it.

 And your rugs will thank you.

🔜 Next Blog Series:

“Do Dog Breeds Dictate Nutrition?”

 I'd say that's a strong definitely maybe, but read the next edition to find out. 

😂 Affiliate Disclosure:

“If you buy anything from my mom’s links, she gets a small cut. Which she sometimes uses to buy chicken, which I don't eat. I prefer tuna. But whatever, help her out.” – Stu

In case you're just joining us, here's where to find the complete series. 

Until next time,

Remember the mission; dry rugs mean happy pets and owners. So stop stalling and just patiently train them, please?

 Nene Ajayi ✌️