How does a toilet training spray work?

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and they use it to choose where to go to the toilet. A toilet training spray uses this instinct to help your puppy pick the right spot more often.

How it works

The spray has a scent designed to attract puppies to the place you've chosen. When you spray it on a pee pad, tray or a patch of grass, your puppy is drawn to sniff and use that spot. Each time they go there, their own scent strengthens the habit.

Our Toilet Training Spray comes in a 200 ml bottle.

How to use it

1. Choose a spot and stick with it: a pee pad, tray, balcony patch or a spot outdoors.
2. Spray a few times on the centre of the spot, following the label.
3. Take your puppy there at the usual potty times: after waking, eating, playing and before bed.
4. Wait calmly and say your cue word.
5. Praise and treat the moment they go.
6. Re-apply as the label directs, usually when you change the pad or after cleaning.

What the spray can't do alone

A training spray is a helper, not a magic switch. It works best with:

• A regular schedule. See our apartment potty training plan.
• Rewards every time your puppy gets it right
• Proper clean-ups of accidents, so old smells don't pull them back to the wrong spot
• Patience. Every puppy learns at their own pace.

Clean accidents properly

If your puppy has an accident on the floor or rug, the leftover smell can act like a "go here" sign. Clean it with an enzyme-based cleaner, which breaks down the odour rather than just covering it. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners; their smell can resemble urine to a dog.

Moving the spot

Planning to switch from an indoor pad to outdoors? Move gradually:

1. Move the pad closer to the door over a few days.
2. Then move it just outside, or onto the balcony.
3. Then take a used pad (or spray a little) at the new outdoor spot.
4. Once your puppy reliably goes outside, remove the pad.

Is it for adult dogs too?

Yes. Training sprays can help adopted adult dogs, rescues who've never been house-trained, or dogs moving to a new home. For a calm start in a new place, see helping a pet settle into a new home.