How Often Should I Take My Dog Out To [Pee&Poop]

Hi, dog-loving guys!

You come here. Are you a first-time dog owner? 

Then, you noticed that your fur friend has annoying pee & poop habits.

Like, new dog parents out there, you probably ask yourself “How often should I take my fur friend out to pee & poop?”

If you are unsure about the answer, this in-depth guide will help you clear all about your dog’s pee and poop habits and create an effective schedule for your dog’s potty breaks.

Let’s get started!

Dog Walk vs. Potty Breaks

Dog walks are a form of exercise for dogs with a long trip that lasts around 30-45 minutes walk or more (up to 1-2 hours). 

I wouldn’t like to recommend the distance “How far should you walk your dog per day?” here. 

It doesn’t work!

There are consideration things around the pooch’s pace. Therefore, the key here is about having a good walk in a time frame, not the distance.

Potty breaks are short outside trips to allow your dog can relieve itself.

Some dog owners can let their dogs out for a walk combined with pee or poop. But, any new owners can get into some trouble things because of the bad dog’s bathroom habits. 

Typically, I used to witness the case of the hooman from Colorado, his Golden dog (Charlies) used to have so many annoying poop habits.

“Charlies can be in the backyard for 10 straight hours and not poop once, but take him on a walk and he has to poop every single time. Also, he can poop before a walk, and still, he will poop during their walk”.

This is a typical potty and poop case that new dog parents often meet.

I agree that potty and pee breaks are essential for your furry friend. However, it’s necessary to establish your new puppy’s good elimination habits.

And now, it's to find out all issues around dog’s potty habits before you actually can do a bathroom break schedule for your furry! 

In the next section, I will answer a common question from the community of first-time dog owners.

Keep reading to find out how often you should take your dog or puppy out to pee.

How Often Should You Take Your Dog Out To Potty?

On average, an adult dog needs to go outside to pee and poo at least 3 to 5 times per day. For no more than 6-8 hours apart each trip outdoors. 

However, your sweetie dog is unique. In another word, it probably has some different traits and needs from others that directly affect its potty and pee habit.

In this part, I consider 3 essential factors that can impact “how often your dog will need to go outside to pee and poop?”. Which includes:

• Age
• Size
• Health condition

Let’s move down to find the detail!

How old is your doggo?

If your answer is under 6 months of age. Your dog needs frequent potty trips as their bladder control is more limited than adult dogs. 

Experts recommend that your puppy is capable of holding urine for one hour plus the number of months they are. 

Take your puppy outside frequently at least every 2 hours during the day.

Don't go longer than this between bathroom breaks.

Additionally, Your fur baby needs to go to the toilet within 15 minutes after you feed your puppy eat or drink. 

You should take it out and walk until your furry relieves itself. This will be helpful for your puppy to establish the shape of elimination habits.

When your pup grows from the six-month age onwards, the bladder capacity will be roughly equal to the adult-sized. Your puppy will better control its bladder and bowel movement to hold it. 

How about an adult dog? 

As I mentioned above, an adult dog will need at least 3-5 walks a day every 6-8 hours at a minimum for pee and poo.

Aside from the puppy and adult, you might wonder about…

How often should a senior dog pee?

Senior dogs lose bladder control ability. Therefore, like a puppy, they also need urination breaks more often. 

Typically, older dogs need to visit outdoors to do their business every 4-6 hours.

Size of your dog

Medium-sized or large dog breeds can hold their urine or poop better within 8 hours. While small dogs, such as Chihuahuas or toy and miniature breeds want more bathroom breaks because of their puppy-size bladders. 

You shouldn’t wait for longer than 8 hours to let your pooch pee.

As you might know, It is an unwell-being for a dog who keeps urine or defecation for too long. Which can lead to serious health conditions such as bladder, kidney, and urinary tract infections.

Health Condition

Sometimes, health conditions also impact the level of the canine’s frequent urination. Your doggo probably pees more often if:

• They are overweight to obese

• They are on medications that cause or encourage frequent urination

• They have specific health conditions like diabetes

Is your dog urinating too much?

Consider taking your pooch visit to the vet if your pooch’s urine comes on frequently more than usual and following these symptoms.

Well, It is all about factors you can consider before setting up a schedule of potty breaks. 

I know! 

It isn’t easy for new owners like you to create a dog’s bathroom break timetable by yourself (as I used to). 

You better keep reading!

In the next section, I will give you a reference schedule that I have a well-oiled machine applied for my four-legged friends.

Let’s dive in!

Scheduling your dog’s potty breaks

Before reading this timetable, you probably want to know more information about my sweet doggy to compare with yours.

I have lived with an energetic Border Collie (Willow) for nearly 3 years. I adopted her when she was 6 months old.

Her weight now is 45 pounds. She has grown up and developed well without any special health issues. 

Let’s get excited!

I will show you in detail my dog’s potty and poop schedule.

Don’t stop the screen!

 

Please don’t forget!

Your four-legged friend is “one and only”.

As I mentioned before, each dog will have a different schedule depending on the dog’s age, size, and health, owner routine as well.

This schedule is for an adult Border Collie in good health condition. But you can try my schedule first and see if it works for your furry friend.

Conclusion

Like you, I used to be a first–time dog owner. 

I was worried! 

Also, It took me a long time to modify and adapt to my new hairy roommate’s routine.

In the beginning, her peeing habit always got me in trouble. Sometimes, she gifted me unwelcome surprises in different parts of my apartment.

LOL!

All things are smooth then! I have an awesome fur companion.

So, I hope this post gives you a useful idea to schedule dog potty breaks.

Also, you should consider the dog’s needs and habits to come up with a schedule that works “best” for your beloved dog.

It is all about my guide. Now it is practice time for you. 

Let’s try to schedule your dog routine and leave your result below the comment!