I've spent a number years working in animals shelters, and quite possibly THE most common question I got asked was "Are they potty trained?"
Unless you are adopting through a foster based organization, chances are your local shelter is not going to know. There is so much that goes into it that it can be hard to say for certain. Just because they don't seem to be potty trained at the shelter, doesn't mean they won't be in your home. The opposite is also true. They may be getting out more often at the shelter, have an outdoor kennel run, or don't want to soil their small kennel space. So it's possible they may have some accidents with the larger space and schedule change once they are home. It's also not uncommon for your new family member to have some diarrhea or other stomach problems as they adjust to new foods and their nerves settle, which can make holding it difficult.
If your lucky, you may learn some of their history and how they've done in a home environment such as with a foster or previous owner. But remember, even if they have been successful before, spending time in a shelter can often cause previous potty training to break down some.
Whether you're adopting a young puppy, or an older adult; I would always recommend you assume they AREN'T potty trained when taking them home. Set them up for success by managing their environment, having a plan in place, and most importantly, BEING PATIENT! Potty training your rescue dog doesn't have to be a struggle though. Let's take a look at how to, step by step.
Make it a Routine - Potty training your rescue dog is all about routine
Dogs thrive on predictability, so it's important to schedule potty breaks, meal times, etc... consistently throughout the day. Though seniors and puppies will likely have to go more frequently, an adult dog will have to go for a potty break (at least):
First thing in the morning
Right after mealtimes
After active play or activities
Last thing before bed
After prolonged car rides
At least every 6-8 hours during the day
Expect puppies can hold it for about (their age in months + 1) hours. For example, a 2 month old puppy can hold it for about 3 hours IF sedentary. If your dog seems to go too often, speak with your vet immediately. Older dogs will likely have to go more often as well. Both puppies and geriatric dogs may not have the well developed sphincter muscles of adults and so may struggle more with occasional accidents. While puppies need to go through step by step potty training to build up those muscles; you should speak with your vet if your older dogs is beginning to have accidents when they previously haven't had any issues holding it.
Another important consideration is stress. Have you ever gotten an upset stomach during a stressful event such as a test or job interview? It's the same for your new dog. Even if they are excited to see you and aren't scared in their new environment, adjusting to a new home can be a stressful event.
Confinement and Supervision - Both are important
Dogs generally don't like to soil their bed or "den"; which makes crates, gates, and pens valuable potty training tools. However, active supervision when possible is even more important. Pay attention to their signals. If your dog has to go potty, they may:
Pace or circle
Walk around with their nose to the floor
Whine, whimper, or bark
Sniff or paw at the usual exit door
Crates, gates, and pens can be used not only to limit the areas of the home your dog has access to; but to confine them to a smaller space they are less likely to soil. This is especially important when you can't supervise them.
You can also tether your dog to your waist as a compromise between supervision and confinement. This is typically called the "umbilical method" and us usually done with your dogs leash attached to your belt (try using a carabiner so it's easy to clip on and off).
Of course, you can gradually loosen these restrictions and grant your dog more freedom as they do well with their potty training. Just don't give them too much freedom too fast or you risk setbacks if they have accidents.
Reward It - Catching them "in the act" does NOT mean punishing them
Reward good behavior. It's really that simple. Every time your dog pees or poops in an appropriate spot, gently praise them and give them a treat when they are done. If you catch them "in the act" (that is, going in an inappropriate location), immediately take them outside and encourage them to go. If you find an old mess, clean it up, and move on. Never punish your dog for an accident, you are only teaching them that it's not safe to go in front of you, not where it is appropriate to go. If they won't go in front of you, then you lose out on the opportunity to reinforce them and let them know what is appropriate. They will also start to hide it... and no one wants to find poop in their closet 2 days later.
Cleaning Up - What you use matters
Clean messes with an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature's Miracle. There are many other great brands as well, but the important thing is the "enzymatic" part. Often times, typical household cleaners are not enough to fully get rid of these strong smells. Remember, dogs use urine and feces as a way to mark territory and convey information to other dogs. They are made to endure time, rain, weather, etc... Even if YOU can't smell it, doesn't mean your dog can't. When you see a dog consistently returning to the same spot to potty, it's often do to not cleaning it properly.
Make sure you clean a little ways around the mess too, this is especially important for carpet or other porous surfaces where things can soak in and spread.
Put it on cue - Clear communication is helpful
You can put pottying it on cue by saying "go potty" (or your cue of choice) right before they do, then rewarding it. With time and repetition, your dog will start to associate the act itself with the cue. Then you can start to ask them to go when and where is appropriate. Whether you use one cue for both, or split it into two separate cues is a matter of personal preference.
Other Tools - Bells, potty pads, etc...
Many owners like their dogs to tell them when they need to go. Training them to ring a bell, paw the door, or sit are popular methods. But be aware, some dogs will abuse the privilege just to get let outside; how smart! So it's entirely up to you. It can be helpful, and I'm always a fan of two way communication; but know that they may just be asking to go outside rather than specifically to potty.
Potty pads can be helpful as well, but they will often form bad habits. Dogs will often make associations of what substrate they are taught to potty on. This means that if you train them to go on a pad, it may be difficult to transfer that to grass. Puppies are also usually big fans of chewing up potty pads, so you will likely have to get a base or tape down the edges. Still, pads can certainly be beneficial in some circumstances. If your schedule necessitates them for your puppy, if you have a smaller dog and live in a city high-rise, and other such circumstances are common reasons. Plan accordingly, and avoid them if possible.
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