#222 Plan the Potty, Win the Day

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Think house training is just a timing game? We flip the script and show why success comes from anticipating transitions—not chasing the last potty break. Using real‑life moments like car rides, visitors, naps, and long work sessions, we lay out a simple framework that stacks the odds in your favor: empty before events. It’s a calm, humane strategy that cuts down on accidents, protects your schedule, and builds a more confident dog.

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (00:02):
You know, most people think house training is
about timing.
Like, you know, how long has itbeen since the last potty break?
But the truth is it's just asmuch about what's coming next as
it is about what just happened.
And let me give you an example.

(00:23):
The other day I took my dog'sscooter to the park for a walk.
And then I ran a few quickerrands with him waiting in the
car.
By the time we got home, I knewI would be upstairs painting for
three to four hours.
Now technically he had just goneto the bathroom about thirty

(00:44):
minutes earlier, but I stilltook him out again.
Not because he needed to goright that second, but because I
knew once I started working, Iwouldn't want to stop.
And that's what I call planningahead for the bladder.
I wanted to empty that bladderone more time before I started

(01:06):
working.
And it's not just for those longprojects.
Here are a few other times whenyour dog might not seem like
they need to go, but you'llthank yourself later if you
offer the chance anyway.
Before and after car rides, evenif your puppy went right before

(01:27):
you loaded up, car rides areexciting, even if they're only
ten minutes long.
And excitement jump startsmetabolism.
And once you get where you'regoing, that little bladder may
have filled up again.
So when you arrive, let themstretch, sniff, and take a quick

(01:48):
minute to go before headinginside.
Another opportunity before andabout 30 minutes after company
arrives.
Visitors mean excitement aswell.
All that motion, talking, andattention can trigger your dog's
digestive system, which quicklyfills up an empty bladder.

(02:11):
So give your dog a quick pottybreak right before people come
in, and then again after thingssettle down.
About 30 minutes later.
It prevents those oops momentsthat can happen in the middle of
the visit.
And another great time for apotty break?
Before bedtime, especially ifyour dog takes an early nap.

(02:36):
You know, if your dog dozes offan hour before you go to bed,
remember their bladder startedfilling up while they were
sleeping.
So take them out even if youhave to wake them up one more
time before you turn in.
Even if they went earlier.
That's how you prevent those twoAM wake up calls.

(02:58):
But the big takeaway here, don'twait for the need.
Plan for the opportunity.
Every time you can start a napor bedtime, car ride or a long
work session with an emptybladder, you're stacking the
odds in your favor for a cleanhouse and a confident, well

(03:19):
timed dog.