What to Do If Your Dog Is Regressing in Potty Training
Written by Alain Courchesne, founder of Doggy Bathroom — designer of the original indoor potty system for small dogs.
Short Summary
Potty training regression is common, and most dogs recover quickly once their routine, supervision, and potty setup are tightened. With clearer structure and fast rewards, you can reset habits and help your dog regain confidence in just a few days.
3 Quick Takeaways
- Regression is normal — it usually happens when dogs get confused, stressed, or their routine changes.
- Structure fixes everything — consistent schedules, supervision, and a defined indoor or outdoor potty zone speed up progress.
- Clean and reset — remove all scent markers, reinforce the right spot, and keep freedom limited until habits stabilize.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Regressing in Potty Training
Potty training regression is frustrating, but it’s extremely common — especially in small dogs. Even a well-trained dog can suddenly start having accidents again. This usually isn’t bad behaviour but a breakdown in routine, dog behavior problems, stress, or simple confusion. With structure, consistency, and the right potty training tips, you can fix regression quickly.
Below is exactly how to get your dog back on track, even if you’re dealing with dog potty training challenges, dog accident prevention issues, or regression in dogs who were previously housebroken.
Why Regression Happens
Most setbacks come from predictable triggers:
- A change in dog potty training schedule (travel, holidays, new work hours)
- Too much freedom too soon
- Inconsistent potty breaks
- Stress in the environment (guests, renovations, new pets)
- Bad weather — a major factor in small dog potty habits
- Medical issues like UTIs
Most potty training regression in dogs isn’t stubbornness — it’s your dog saying, “I’m confused.” Once you identify the cause, progress returns quickly. This guide focuses on how to fix potty training regression.
Step 1: Return to a Consistent Potty Routine
A predictable routine is the foundation of indoor potty training for puppies. One of the most reliable ways to prevent puppy regressing potty training issues. Dogs thrive on repetition, so keeping your housebreaking setup consistent removes guesswork and restores confidence.
- Same feeding times
- Same potty schedule
- Same potty location
- Same cue word (“Go potty.”)
A structured routine strengthens good habits and supports a successful potty training process. When why dogs regress potty training becomes unclear, the fastest fix is returning to predictable patterns. Remember — stay calm, be patient, and keep rewards flowing.
If your dog needs a full reset, revisiting early-stage training is the quickest way to rebuild structure. Our Step-by-Step Intro to Puppy Potty Training walks you through every stage with clarity.
Step 2: Increase Supervision for a Few Days
Most regression appears when supervision drops — a classic dog training advice scenario that disrupts the potty training process. Watch for early potty signals:
- Sniffing
- Circling
- Wandering away
- Pausing mid-play
If you can’t supervise closely, use gates or a smaller, controlled zone. Less freedom supports successful potty training, reduces accidents, and helps your dog rebuild good habits. This is especially important during puppy potty training or when reinforcing a potty spot for indoor potty training.
If accidents continue, small tweaks to structure and supervision can resolve most dog training challenges. This often supports a smoother house training routine. Read more about Potty Training Small Dogs: Mistakes to Avoid.
Step 3: Reinforce the Correct Potty Spot Every Time
Location clarity is everything when fixing regression in potty training dogs.
- Always take your dog to the same spot
- Reward within 1–2 seconds
- Keep praise calm and clear
For indoor training, use a setup that defines boundaries. Structure helps dogs understand exactly where to go.
A defined indoor potty zone using a Pee Pad Holder for Small Dogs can eliminate uncertainty and prevent further potty training regression.
Step 4: Clean Every Accident Thoroughly
Scent is the #1 trigger for repeat accidents, and it can derail even the most successful potty training efforts. To prevent setbacks and support good habits, always use an enzymatic cleaner. This is essential for dog accident prevention and keeps your potty spot truly scent-free.
Skipping this step can confuse even a trained dog. This can cause regression in the potty training process and making indoor or toilet training feel unsure.
Proper cleanup removes the scent markers that make dogs repeat mistakes. Helping you maintain a clean potty pad area and stay calm as you guide your dog toward consistently better habits. Learn Tips That Actually Work to Get Rid of Pet Urine Odors.
Step 5: Reduce Your Dog’s Freedom Temporarily
Too much access too soon is one of the fastest triggers for why dogs regress potty training. A short reset helps your dog rebuild good habits and get back into a reliable potty training process. For a few days:
- Keep your dog in the same room as you
- Use a playpen or small area when you’re busy
- Expand freedom only after consistent success
Small, controlled spaces help with house training. They make it easier to reinforce the right potty spot. These spaces support a trained dog as they return to good potty habits.
Step 6: Add an Indoor Backup Option if Needed
Weather, living in an apartment, or a small dog's bladder can cause housebreaking setbacks. These are common reasons why puppy potty training can go wrong. When outdoor access becomes unsure, even a dog trainer and trained dog may struggle to maintain good habits.
A structured indoor potty option prevents over-holding, reduces stress, and keeps the potty training process on track. The Doggy Bathroom supports:
- Small dog potty habits
- Leg-lifters
- Apartment living
- Predictable indoor routines
By providing your dog with a clear potty pad setup, you help reinforce successful potty training, even during setbacks. Positive reinforcement is one of the best tools to potty train a puppy through setbacks while helping them stay calm and confident.
Step 7: Rule Out Medical Causes
Sometimes a setback in the potty training process has nothing to do with behavior at all. Regression can be tied to health issues. This can interrupt normally good habits, even in an otherwise trained dog. Pay attention for signs such as:
- UTIs or discomfort
- Increased urination
- Accidents during sleep
- Straining or whining near the potty spot
If any of these appear, stay calm and book a vet check before adjusting your training routine. A medical issue can make it impossible for your dog to hold it. No amount of positive reinforcement, crate training, or attempts to establish a routine can override that.
A quick vet assessment ensures you’re not trying to potty train a puppy (or adult dog) through a condition that needs treatment. Once cleared, you can return to successful potty training strategies.
Use clear cues, praising and rewarding, indoor potty pad setups, or refining your toilet training routine. And remember — don’t punish accidents caused by discomfort. Your dog isn’t misbehaving; they’re struggling.
Bringing Your Dog Back on Track
Most regression is temporary. With regular potty training routines and good supervision, a structured indoor setup helps puppies learn. Reliable cleanup also helps dogs recover quickly.
Understanding why dogs regress potty training helps you adjust the routine before accidents turn into habits. If setbacks continue, simple potty training troubleshooting techniques — like tightening the schedule or refreshing cue words can make a big difference.
Stay calm, stay consistent, and reward every success. Your dog isn’t giving you a hard time — they’re asking for clarity. With a few adjustments, you can quickly learn how to fix potty training regression in dogs and get back to smooth, predictable routines.
Suggested Reading
- Positive Reinforcement Speeds Up Indoor Dog Training Success
- Why Pee Pad Size Matters for Small Dogs
-
A Step-by-Step Guide to Effective Dog House Training
About the Author
Alain Courchesne is the founder of Doggy Bathroom. As a designer and pet parent, he created the original indoor potty system for small dogs, trusted by thousands of owners across North America. His mission is to make pet ownership easier and more hygienic, with thoughtful solutions that adapt to modern living.
