How to Convince Your Dog to Pee Faster During Winter Walks
For when begging and pleading doesn’t work.
Let me set the scene: It’s 11 p.m. on a cold winter’s night. You’re standing outside stuffed into a coat that makes you look like a giant sentient trash bag. Your lips are cracking and your fingers are turning numb because you forgot your gloves again. And you’re trudging behind your dog, who is safe and warm beneath two coats (the one they’re wearing and the one they grew). You’re begging and pleading with them to just hurry up and go pee so you can go inside. With each passing step, your inner and outer essence continues to crumble.
In case it’s not already clear, this is a struggle I know all too well. For many of us dog parents living in cities without private outdoor spaces, winter can be a trying time. We want to give our dogs all the time they need to do their business, but as the cold wind howls and our cheeks start to burn, it’s hard not to wish they’d just wrap it up already.
Trick question: All dogs are perfect! But find out which type is the best fit for you.
The good news is there actually are ways to make this happen. You can train your dog to “go” on cue, and you can also plan your walks strategically to maximize you and your pups’ exposure to enticing places to get the job done. Here are our best tips to speed your walks along and get back into your fuzzy slippers as soon as possible.
Is it OK to rush dog walks?
Occasionally? Sure. But constantly rushing your dog in and out is not the best approach if your pup really wants some outdoor time. It’s fine to speed things up occasionally if you have somewhere to be or are just not up to a long walk in the cold, but if your dog is desperate to breathe in the fresh air, do your best to grant them that wish when possible.
How much do you spend on your pet per year?
If your dog also isn’t a fan of the cold, chances are they’ll make the whole process easier. As dog trainer Christina Villagrana (CDPT-KA) points out, dogs who hate the cold often try to get things done as fast as possible. “But if you have a dog that wants to play in the snow,” she says, “it would be good to give them a little bit of time — especially if they've been cooped up inside.”
There’s also an argument to be made that rushing a dog who loves being outside could actually make them wait longer to go. As board certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Margaret Duxbury (DVM, DACVB) points out, “It’s not a relief to ‘relieve yourself’ if it lands you right back in the house.”
On that note, part of the cold-weather walk game plan could start with how you dress for the big outing: Duxbury suggests dressing warmly no matter how fast you expect the walk to be. That way, you’ll be better prepared to respond graciously if things take longer than you’d hope. Plan ahead,” she says, “so your own impatience doesn’t muddle things up.”
How do I get my dog to do their business faster?
If you have time to start training in the summer, the most efficient solution could be to teach your pup to potty on command. But if it’s already freezing out and you just need a quick fix, here are a couple pointers.
Look for yellow snow
I know. As humans, our usual response to yellow snow is “Yuck.” But as Duxbury points out, “Many dogs, both male and female, are more likely to urinate where others go.” Whatever it takes is good enough for me! Just don’t ask me to go near those nasty puddles of defrosted poop.
Vertical surfaces are your friends
Just like on a warm summer afternoon, many dogs (especially male dogs) like to pee on something they can aim at. “Crosscurrents of odor can make quiet intersections especially appealing,” Duxbury says, and things like snowbanks, bushes, and signposts can make good targets.
Find long grass
According to Duxbury, our pups prefer to pee and poop on certain substrates — specifically, long grass and underbrush. If you can find some among the snow, your pup might just pop a squat.
Don’t interrupt
I know it’s tempting to throw a party when your hands are going numb and your pup has finally decided to go, but according to Duxbury, moving or crying out in excitement could “interrupt their very important job” — so keep your excitement quiet and your body still.
Bring good rewards
As we all know, positive reinforcement can work wonders for dogs. This is no different. As Duxbury puts it, “The best way to change a dog’s behavior is to make what we want more rewarding than what happens naturally.” Once your dog has gone, say “yes!” or “yay!” and give them a treat immediately.
Beyond treats, your next move should depend on your dog. If your pup loves the cold, find it within yourself to tolerate the chill for just a few more minutes. As hard as this might be, consider it an investment in your own future happiness. After all, Duxbury says, “If peeing or pooing triggers the end of the fun walk, you may find your dog taking longer and longer to get the job done.”
Dogs who hate the cold, meanwhile, can go back inside as soon as possible. “Usually,” Duxbury says, “their best reward is to instantly make a party out of running back to the house.” A treat also never hurts.
How to train dogs to “go” on command
Duxbury argues that dogs don’t actually need a cue to learn to “go” faster. As she puts it, “If peeing yields something they want and nothing they don’t want, the behavior will follow.” Still, if you do want to train your pup to potty on command, here’s a pro tip: Villagrana has noticed that some dogs will pee on command but not poop. Because of that, you might want to train two separate cues — one for peeing and one for pooping.
“It's something that I would train during the summer or when you have a lot of time,” Villagrana says, “so you can really get it down.” That way, you’re good to go when winter rolls around.
Step 1: Choose your cue
Pick one prompt for the desired behavior and stick with it. Keep it short and simple. Commands like “go potty” and “park” are popular for a reason.
Step 2: Wait
Don’t try to push your dog into going. “In the very beginning,” Villagrana says, “I'm waiting for them to go.”
Step 3: Command
If it’s already cold outside, Duxbury recommends waiting to add the command until the weather warms up. You can reward your dog for going throughout the winter, and then, by the time the weather warms up, you’ll be even better at detecting what your pup’s pre-potty routine looks like so you can say the command one to three seconds before they go. Don’t repeat it, Duxbury says; just say it once.
Step 3: Reward
As soon as your dog wraps things up, give them a nice treat and some enthusiastic verbal praise to let them know they’ve done a good job.
Step 4: Repeat
Reinforcement breeds good behavior. Be consistent with your cue words, and in rewarding your dog’s potty time performance, until they respond to the command. With older dogs, Villagrana says, “It's going to be a little bit harder because they don't understand at first, but you can do it.”
The weather outside might be frightful, but once you and your dog develop your own routine and communication, you can make winter walks at least a little more delightful for both of you.
