Retraining senior dog to potty outside

[LakiaMoore]

I’ve had my yorkiepoo for 9 years. started off potty training her in a bathroom with puppy pads which didn’t really work on & off. eventually she got the hang of going outside for walks and knowing when to potty, but she would have slip ups in the house every now and then but I would think that’s just normal.

through the years that would be the routine, she goes outside & does her business, I tell her “go potty” etc. but i’ve been finding as she’s gotten older she’s been having more accidents inside the house, especially on furniture or her own bed.

I know it’s not easy for her to communicate that she has to potty but my sisters dog lets us know very clearly. he’ll bark really loud at the door. but my yorkiepoo doesn’t do that. she’ll just eventually use it in the house. 

she always goes to the front door and wants to wander around on the front porch but I can’t tell if she thinks she has to be taken on a walk in order for her to do her business or just to sun bathe because I know she likes to do that as well. 

now that i’m moved out of my moms house and into my own apartment i’m hesitant about taking her with me. I don’t have the time to take her on a walk three or more times a day and i’m afraid she will have accidents inside the apartment.  she also has anxiety so I’m not sure how she’ll adjust being away from what she’s used to & my sisters dog.

part of me thinks she’ll be fine staying with my mom but I also have an urge to have her all to myself. but if I do that how do I go about retraining her to potty only outside? is there a way that she could understand that she can only do that outside? 

 

thanks so much if you’ve read this far! 

 

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and heartfelt post. Your bond with your Yorkiepoo is clear. The issues you're facing are common in older small-breed dogs, and the good news is that with the right approach, many of these challenges can be managed or improved.

At 9 years old, several medical and behavioral factors could be contributing to the increase in indoor urination:

Medical concerns: First and foremost, I recommend a full veterinary check-up, including urinalysis and possibly bloodwork. Conditions like urinary tract infections, kidney disease, Cushing’s disease, arthritis, or cognitive dysfunction (age-related brain changes) can all affect house training reliability.

Cognitive dysfunction can manifest as confusion, changes in routine behavior, increased anxiety, or lapses in previously learned habits. If this is a factor, early intervention with behavioral support and sometimes medications or supplements can help.

Decreased communication: You noted that she doesn’t signal clearly when she needs to go out. This can be because of a medical or mental issue and should be investigated.

Impact of changes: Transitions can be stressful, especially for dogs prone to anxiety, However, with support, dogs can often adjust well,  the key is to go slowly and be proactive:

Use familiar bedding, routines, and even pheromone diffusers (like Adaptil) to ease the transition.

If she has separation anxiety or generalized anxiety, your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist can help create a tailored management and treatment plan.

It will take consistency and management, but older dogs can relearn reliable house training.  Here aer some general tips:

Management

-Use baby gates or an exercise pen to restrict access to areas where she’s had accidents.

0Limit unsupervised access to furniture and her bedding unless you’re certain she’s recently voided.

Scheduled potty breaks

-Start with a regular potty schedule (e.g., every 3–4 hours during waking hours).

-Don’t rely on her to “ask” rather, take her out proactively.

-Take her to the same spot and use your familiar cue (“Go potty”).

 Reinforcement

-Immediately reward her with high-value treats the moment she eliminates outdoors. This creates strong motivation and builds the habit again.

 Indoor accident prevention

-Clean all previous accident areas thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate residual odor cues.

-If you must leave her alone for longer than she can comfortably hold her bladder, consider options like a grass patch on a balcony or a designated indoor toilet area.. ideally, this is temporary.

Making the decision

There’s no single right answer about whether she should move with you — it depends on her needs and your capacity. If she’s deeply bonded to the other dog, your mom has more availability for outdoor breaks, and your lifestyle won’t allow for consistent structure, it may be kinder (for now) to let her stay. That said, with planning, patience, and possibly professional guidance, many dogs her age adjust beautifully to new homes.

Whatever you choose, the fact that you’re thinking through this so carefully shows that she is loved and in good hands.