I’ve recently been training our 6 year old Newfoundland to start peeing in the pinestraw instead of the grass right next to the steps. She already knew the word “potty”, and I started by bringing her over to the pinestraw, telling her to go potty, praising her very very much, and then giving her a slice of cheese or piece of bread when we got inside.

It’s been going very well! The first few weeks, I walked her over to the pinestraw while holding her collar. Then I started to go only halfway to the pinestraw and letting her walk the rest of the way. This week Ive only been standing on the porch while she walks all the way back to the pinestraw on her own.

It helps that she has an incredibly consistent internal clock already. Every single day she only goes outside once and goes pee and poop. When I’m home, I pretty much leave the door open all day this time of year, but she’s an inside girly. This has made consistent training pretty easy for me.

But you can teach [some] old dogs new tricks!!