Relieving Routine Guidelines
As the pup matures and comes closer to their formal recall we need to be confident that their relieving is routine and reliable without accidents. Younger pups are less reliable and should be taken out more frequently to start a relieving routine and prevent accidents.
Please refer to Relieving Guidelines article and ask your advisor or area coordinator if you have any questions about relieving, accidents, and the busy verbal cue. By the time a dog comes in for training they must have a reliable relieving routine without accidents or indicating they have to relieve while on walks, working in public, or in the home.
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Age
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2-3 months
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3-6 months
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6-9 months
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Number of relieving breaks per day
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10+ opportunities a day
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6-10 opportunities a day
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4-8 opportunities a day
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Frequency of relieving breaks
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The pup should be relieved right away in the morning after waking up.
When the pup is awake and active give the pup relieving breaks every 30 minutes.
Give a busy break before and after public outings and class.
Try to keep public outings shorter than 30 minutes so you do not have to give a relieving break during the outing so that relieving pattern isn't created.
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The pup should be relieved in the morning right away after waking up.
When the pup is awake and active give the pup relieving breaks every 45 minutes- 2 hours. Try to lengthen the time between relieving breaks as the pup matures.
Give a busy break before and after public outings and class.
Start extending walks around the neighborhood so the pup is comfortable with duration between relieving breaks and learns not to break on walks.
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The pup should be relieved in the morning after waking up. You can choose before or after they eat depending on your routine.
Continue to extend the time between relieving breaks up to 3 hours.
As the pup continues to mature, start only offering relieving breaks before playtime/free runs, walks, and public outings.
Continue extending walks around the neighborhood so the pup is comfortable with duration between relieving breaks
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Accidents?
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Give relieving breaks after playtime, naps, and meals to prevent accidents.
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Lengthen public outings, but do not extend them past your pup's capabilities to prevent accidents.
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Lengthen public outings. If your pup is having accidents contact your advisor or area coordinator.
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Every dog is different but these are general guidelines to follow. Take into account the temperature outside, how much water the dog is drinking, and how far you are walking with the dog. If you have any concerns or questions, ask your advisor or area coordinator.
During the age period 9-14+ months the dog should be 100% reliable in the home and in public.
Creating a positive pattern: Not creating a routine creates a habit we call "breaking on route" and it is unacceptable for guide dog training. Even if you are giving the dog a chance to relieve before they indicate it can create a negative pattern. For example, if you are taking your dog on a 1 mile walk around the neighborhood they should not get a relieving break. They should relieve before the walk. But, if you're in New York City for 6 hours walking around the dog will need relieving breaks at the normal time you relieve them and might even need a few extra breaks because of the excitement and environment changes.
Setting up for success: You should have a general schedule of when you relieve the dog in your day to day life. Obviously, that will vary sometimes, but the dog should have a schedule including relieving in the morning, 1-2 times during the day, and one more time in the evening.
Guide dogs need to be comfortable walking for several miles without indicating they need to relieve and or having an accident. Start adding distance to your walks around the neighborhood. If the dog can make it up the block and back before needing a break, the next week walk one and half blocks and back, and so forth.
- By 9 months the dog should be 100% house broken so you can focus on creating a schedule and pattern that works with your day to day schedule.
- Any time you stop to relieve the dog, the dog indicates they need to relieve, or the dog relieves without your permission needs to be considered an accident when you are walking or on an outing.
- Continue extending walks and public outings by 9 months to acclimate the dog to being comfortable with this expectation.
- There are exceptions you should stop to relieve the dog like extended walks over 3 miles, outings that are more than 2 hours with ample walking like going to a museum or touring a city, and when the dog is not feeling well.
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Age
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9-12 months
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12-14 months
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14 months-IFT
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Number of relieving breaks per day
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4-8 opportunities a day
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4-8 opportunities a day
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4-8 opportunities a day
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Frequency of relieving breaks
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The dog should be relieved in the morning after waking up. You can choose before or after they eat depending on your routine.
Create a general relieving schedule you can follow in your day to day routine.
Be aware and proactive preventing accidents and continuing scheduled relieving routine.
Start creating duration with distance. Take walks in the neighborhood and continue adding distance in small increments that the dog can comfortably walk without needing a break.
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The dog should be relieved in the morning after waking up. You can choose before or after they eat depending on your routine.
Solidify the relieving schedule so your pup acclimates to a routine schedule.
The dog should be able to settle and be comfortable for extended periods (more than 4 hours) without needing breaks throughout the day.
Continue adding distance to the duration of the dog's relieving. They should be able to walk 1+ mile without needing a break
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The dog should be relieved in the morning after waking up. You can choose before or after they eat depending on your routine.
As the dog's IFT date approaches continue refining and solidifying the dog's relieving routine. Be consistent with the relieving schedule.
The dog should be able to settle and be comfortable for extended periods (more than 4 hours) without needing breaks throughout the day.
The dog should comfortably walk 2 miles or more without needing a relieving break.
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Accidents?
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Breaks on walks or indicating the need to relieve is unacceptable.
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Breaks on walks or indicating the need to relieve is unacceptable.
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The dog should only relieve 4-6 times during a normal day.
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