Article: Try to wake up at a consistent time each morning so your dog knows when it's time to start the day and go outside. Keep it outside for 5 minutes before letting it back in. About 10 minutes before you go to bed, tell your dog it's bedtime and let it out again for 5 minutes. If your dog doesn't go to the bathroom while it's outside, try bringing it in and keeping it in its crate or kennel for 2-3 minutes before letting it back out. This helps train your dog to relieve itself during the time it is outdoors. As soon as your dog has finished meal time, let it outside for 5 minutes so it knows it's time to use the bathroom. Make sure your dog goes potty before you let it back inside. Large adult dogs should be let outside at least once every 4-6 hours, and puppies should be taken out every 1-2 hours, or every 20 to 30 minutes when you are training a puppy to go potty outside. Even though your dogs will be less stressed while they're on a routine, playing with them each day helps calm them down more. Throw a ball around for them to fetch, play Frisbee, or run around with them so they can burn off extra energy and spend quality time with you. Make sure to differentiate between play and discipline. For example, use a stern voice when you're telling your dog to drop something it shouldn't have, but a playful voice when they're fetching a ball. Taking your dog on walks allows them to get outside and interact with different environments. Let your dog sniff around while you're walking so it can relax. Keep a consistent pace so your dog keeps walking rather than stopping every few feet. If you don't have the time to walk your dog, consider hiring a dog walking service to take the dog for you. Make sure your dog is up-to-date with its vaccines, or else it could be more susceptible to illnesses.
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Let your dog outside after you wake up and before you sleep. Put your dog outside after it eats so it learns when to go to the bathroom. Play with your dog for 15-30 minutes each day. Take your dog for at least 1 walk a day at a consistent time.