Dog Training: Stop Your Dog from Going Potty on the Patio
Many dog owners face housetraining challenges—soiled indoor rugs, urine stains, or accidents in unexpected places. But not all potty problems happen indoors. A dog that eliminates on paved patios, driveways, or other hard outdoor surfaces can create messy, inconvenient, and even hazardous situations—like someone stepping in a surprise puddle or tracking residue into the house.
Leslie Cox of Ashland, Kentucky, knows this firsthand with her 5-year-old Chihuahua-Dachshund mix, Molly Sue. “She’s very smart, so she learned the house rules quickly,” Cox says. Molly Sue joined the family as a young puppy—adopted from a litter born when a nonprofessional dog sitter inadvertently allowed unsupervised contact between a female Chihuahua and an intact male Dachshund. She bonded well with Cox’s 4-year-old daughter, Kate, and their 7-year-old mixed-breed dog, Alexis.
The Situation
At first, Cox took Molly Sue outside frequently into their fenced yard and closely supervised each trip to ensure she eliminated on grass. As Molly Sue matured, Cox began letting her out while watching from the doorway—and Molly Sue consistently did her business quickly before dashing back to the door. Confident in her habits, Cox gradually stopped supervising every outing.
“Soon, however, I noticed little messes on the paved driveway or patio—especially when the grass was wet or overdue for mowing,” Cox explains. “If I didn’t spot them right away, someone would step in it—or worse, a car would drive through and spread it across the pavement.” With the arrival of her baby son, Cody, consistent supervision became harder to maintain.
The Expert
Denise Nord, CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer—Knowledge Assessed), based in Rogers, Minnesota, brings decades of experience to canine behavior challenges. A charter member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, and obedience judge for the Australian Shepherd Club of America, Nord trains hundreds of dogs annually—and competes with her Beagles in agility, rally, and scent work. Her approach combines science-backed methods with deep respect for how dogs learn.
The Plan
Nord recommends starting with consistency: a fixed eating and elimination schedule. “A regular feeding routine makes it much easier to predict when Molly Sue will need to eliminate,” she explains. Equally important is active supervision—not just opening the door and waiting indoors.
“Go outside with her every time,” Nord advises. “Restrict her access to hard surfaces during potty breaks. If needed, use a dog exercise pen placed directly on the grass to create a clear, safe zone for elimination.”
When Molly Sue successfully goes on grass, reward her generously—immediately and enthusiastically. Nord also suggests keeping the grass mowed short. “Long blades can tickle sensitive bellies as she squats, making her reluctant to finish,” she notes. “Short grass feels more secure and comfortable.”
While attractant sprays exist to encourage dogs to use specific areas, Nord shares honest perspective: “I’ve had mixed results with them—but they’re worth trying if Molly Sue responds well.”
Crucially, Nord emphasizes what not to do: “Never scold or call her ‘a bad dog’ for eliminating on the patio. That only teaches her to hide the behavior—or avoid eliminating in front of people altogether.” If Molly Sue slips away and eliminates on pavement, calmly bring her inside once she’s done, then clean the area thoroughly.
“It takes about 21 days to establish a new habit,” Nord says. “For the next three weeks, go out with her every single potty trip, reward her instantly for grass-only eliminations, clean up any accidents immediately to keep surfaces fresh—and only allow unsupervised yard time when you’re certain her bladder and bowels are empty.” Once the habit sticks, occasional refreshers—like brief supervised sessions or quick rewards for grass-only success—will help Molly Sue stay on track long term.
