By Tom, CCDT-Certified Dog Trainer (10+ Years Border Collie Experience)
Mastering border collie puppy toilet training is the first step to making the puppy your family member. Getting a puppy is thrilling, but it also comes with challenges.
The first accidents can be a bit disappointing and stressful, and we know how tough it is for the owner and other family members.
Now you’ve come to the right place, and we’ll guide you through a step-by-step plan. Border Collies are smart and easy to train due to their high intelligence.
Training a puppy is always fun and helps in building trust and understanding, and collies love routine for how to potty train a border collie puppy.
Border Collie puppies can be toilet trained 30% faster than other breeds – if you leverage their intelligence correctly.”*
– Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, Canine Cognition Researcher (Barnard College)
Contents
- 1 Understanding Border Collie Puppy Toilet Training needs
- 2 Essentials Supply for Border Collie Puppy Toilet Training- How To Potty Train A Border Collie Puppy
- 3 Creating Schedule
- 4 The 3-Day Intensive Training Plan for How To Potty Train A Border Collie Puppy
- 5 Establishing a Bathroom Area
- 6 Breed-Specific Problem Solving
- 7 Conclusion
Understanding Border Collie Puppy Toilet Training needs
Knowing the potty habits of the puppy is important for training. Let’s take a look at the puppy’s natural instincts and growth stages and help to create a plan that suits both the puppy and owner.
All breed puppies, including border collie puppies also carry out potty activities after waking up, eating, and playing. They will often circle and sniff before going for potty business. Observing and spotting these signs will allow you to act quickly for how to potty train a border collie puppy sessions.
Age
Puppies are able to hold it for 1-2 hours at 8 weeks. And by 12 weeks, they can hold it for 3 hours. And 4 hours at 16 weeks. This timeline can guide you in scheduling potty training border collie puppies routines. You must adjust their schedules to match their physical abilities as they grow.
Warning Sign
Your pup will give signs that he is going to potty. If he suddenly stops while playing or pacing, then that can be one of the signs. In such situations, quick responses will help to build good habits and reduce accidents. After potty consistent rewards will speed up training.
Essentials Supply for Border Collie Puppy Toilet Training- How To Potty Train A Border Collie Puppy
You’ll need the right tools for toilet training a collie puppy. For beginning, it’s better to have a crate or playpen to prevent accidents when you are not around. Choose a size that grows with the puppy.
Baby gates can also be useful by blocking off rooms. This will keep the pup from making a mess where it shouldn’t.
Using enzymatic cleaners like Nature’s Miracle to get rid of the smells, and it will also stop the puppy from going back to the same spot.
Use disposable puppy pads for indoor training. For motivation, keep handy treats like freeze-dried or jerky pieces, which are loved by collies. You’ll have to use a portable leash and a jacket for outdoor training.
A great trick is to use floral scent sprays, helping your puppy to remember the spot. Bells by the door will act as an indication to teach the puppy to tell that he needs to go potty.
If you don’t want to spend too much, then you can go for second-hand, budget friendly crates and DIY scent markers.
Creating Schedule
Consistency is key when potty train border collie puppies. A proper structured schedule can help these smart dog puppies to learn fast. Morning time is good start to match their high energy.
Take your puppy outside at a fixed time daily for a 15-minute trip. See if he carries out the potty thing. After 30 minutes, feed your puppy his meal and again take him outside.
This border collie puppy toilet training step by step method will set a clear pattern.
Younger puppies, about 8-12 weeks, will require a break every 1-2 hours. If you are a working owner, then you can use a timed feeder. There are some changes required in the evening routines.
Feed your puppy the last meal by 6 pm to your puppy, and the final potty breaks will be at 7.30 and 8.30 pm. To cut down accidents, remove water 2 hours before bedtime.
As the puppy grows, gradually increase the break times by 30 minutes every two weeks. Remember to always praise your pup after every successful potty break to encourage good behavior.
The 3-Day Intensive Training Plan for How To Potty Train A Border Collie Puppy
Day 1: Foundation Building
Goal: Create clear elimination association
Schedule:
| Time | Action | Key Technique |
| 6 AM | Carry pup to potty area | Never let feet touch floor first |
| Same time | Use command “Go potty” | Stand still, avoid eye contact |
| Also Same time as you feel. | Reward with 3 treats | Toss on ground to prevent jumping |
Border Collie brains register location patterns after ~12 consistent repetitions (University of Helsinki, 2021).
Day 2: Bell Training & Reinforcement
New Tools:
- Hang jingle bell at nose height by door
- Lightweight leash (for gentle guidance)
Critical Adjustments:
- Bell Introduction:
- Ring bell with paw → immediate trip outside
- Repeat 5x in 10 minutes
- Reward Upgrade:
- Add verbal praise during elimination (“Good potty!”)
- Give 2 mins of play at potty site after success
- Leash Protocol:
- Keep pup leashed to you indoors
- Prevents sneaky accidents
Day 3: Independence Practice
Advanced Techniques:
- Wait at door for pup to ring bell themselves
- Gradually extend time between trips (45 mins → 1 hour)
- Introduce “potty” command without visual cues
Troubleshooting:
❗ If the pup doesn’t ring the bell:
- Gently tap their paw against it before opening door
- Phase out tapping over 3 days
Pro Tip:
My client’s show-line Collie learned fastest when we used a blue grass pad (her sheep-herding color association).
Establishing a Bathroom Area
Pick a clear and clean spot for bathroom needs. This area should be easily accessible to them. Now, let’s find out how to potty train a border collie puppy from the beginning.
Choosing the right location is very important because your pup will use this spot for the rest of his life. Choose a corner of a yard or a shaded area. Make sure it is noise free and away from busy places. Border collies like grass and absorbent mats; choose one.
Use the scent markers consistently. Put a small sample of their waste at the chosen spot and spray lightly there. Their keen sense of smell will help them find the spot again and again.
Make sure to use the same spot again and again, and eventually, your pup will pick up the pattern. Be patient and consistent with all the work.
Transition
Make sure to give more freedom to your pup. Look, if he is using the designated spot correctly and then slowly let him use the bathroom on his own.
Keep the doors open and observe from a distance. This will help them to use the bathroom without your supervision.
Also, teaching the puppy to use the bell is a good thing.
This can be done by hanging a bell on the door and rewarding the puppy when he touches it. It can also be a great way to challenge them.
Breed-Specific Problem Solving
Common Border Collie Challenges
| Issue | Solution |
| Alert barking at potty time | Reward quiet behavior first |
| Over-excitement after success | Calm 30-second petting before play |
| Ignoring commands when distracted | Use higher-value rewards (liver paste) |
When to Call the Vet
🆘 Emergency Signs:
- Straining with no urine output
- Blood in urine/stool
- Diarrhea lasting >12 hours
💡 Cost-Saving Advice:
Keep a symptom log with photos to avoid unnecessary tests ($200-400 savings).
Best way to train a border collie puppy
Use the methods and tips in our article.
How long to house train a border collie puppy
It can take from weeks to a month, depending upon age and breed.
How to potty train a border collie puppy
Positive reinforcement with practical training.
what do I do if my border collie puppy refuses to go outside to potty?
Make sure the outside area is clean, quiet, and encouraging. Grass would be good.
Conclusion
With proper potty training, socialization is also equally important. Hope you have liked this Border Collie Puppy Toilet Training article.
For beginners, consistency is the key. Border Collies are naturally smart and intelligent, so there won’t be much of an issue in training a collie puppy.
They are always eager to learn new things, and that will be a plus point for ya. With training, make sure there is a lot of positive communication and praise. Shouting at the pup won’t do any good.
Every breed learn at their speed, and collies are fast learners. In time, with training, your puppy will become self-sufficient and independent, and your home will stay clean.
