Are Mini Aussies Hard to Potty-Train?

Mini Aussies are not particularly more difficult to potty train than any other dog their size. They are a bit more difficult to train than a larger Australian Shepherd, simply because of their smaller bladders. They will need to be taken outside more often and typically have more accidents indoors.

However, because they are smarter dogs, these canines usually potty train fairly easily. They pick on commands quickly and usually do a good job of listening to their owners. Of course, you will need to do more work on your part to successfully potty train a Mini Aussie. As long as you commit yourself to their training, you likely won’t have a problem potty training them.

You potty train a Mini Aussie exactly like you do any other dog. Though they are technically “mini” sized, they don’t require any special care or anything of that sort.

Is it Hard to Potty Train a Mini Aussie?

Not really. Comparatively to a full-size Aussie, yes, these dogs are a bit more difficult. However, this isn’t because they are less intelligent or more stubborn. Their bladders are simply smaller, so they will need to be taken outside more often. They can’t hold it as long as larger dogs.

But they also aren’t so small that you need to take them outside every thirty minutes. Compared to smaller dogs like Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus, they’re quite easy to train.

How long does it take to potty train a mini-Aussie?

It usually takes about four months to potty train your average dog, though it can sometimes take as long as six months. Of course, they will slowly get better. A switch doesn’t flip suddenly at four months. Progress should be slow and steady, though sudden advances are normal as well.

It is also normal for dogs to experience random setbacks as well. Stress and changes in routine can make a dog regress in training. Sometimes, they may go from being almost completely potty trained to hardly make it outside at all!

You can’t always identify why your dog might be regressing. Underlying health problems like UTIs are sometimes at play. If your dog suddenly starts having lots of accidents, a vet visit may be in order.

When it comes to potty training Mini Aussies, you aren’t just waiting on them to figure out where to use the bathroom. Most will figure that out pretty fast. Instead, you’re waiting for their bladder to get a bit larger and for their bladder control to strengthen. There isn’t much you can do about either of these developmental stages besides simply waiting.

How do you potty train a mini Aussie puppy?

There usually isn’t much you need to do differently to potty train and mini Aussie. These dogs can be trained just like any other dog, though their smaller size means it may take them a bit longer.

Here is a quick guide to potty training a mini Aussie puppy. If you’ve already potty-trained dogs previously, you’ll likely recognize many of these steps:

Have reasonable expectations.

You can’t expect these dogs to potty train as easily as full-grown Australian Shepherds. They will usually have more accidents and take longer to potty train. If you expect this when purchasing your puppy, you’ll have a much better time with your new dog.

Take your dog outside often.

You should plan on taking your new puppy outside as often as possible. The goal at the beginning is to catch the happy accidents where your puppy happens to urinate outside. Once your dog uses the potty in the right spot, praise them a lot.

Your puppy should be taken outside at least every two hours. Once they hit 20 weeks, they may be able to hold it for four hours. Don’t plan on leaving them home for much of the day when you first adopt them. It simply won’t work.

Because Mini Aussies are such active dogs, they often “forget” to go outside by themselves. Do not expect your Mini Aussie puppy to use a doggy door – he is probably too distracted with playing and exploring to do so. You need to be consistent in taking him outside regularly!

Don’t punish.

Usually, when a puppy has an accident inside, it is either because they don’t yet understand where they’re supposed to go, or they were unable to hold it long enough to make it outside. You often have to take your puppy outside more than you think.

Punishment won’t help either of these underlying causes, and it can ruin your relationship with your new puppy.

Crate train.

Crate training is important for all sorts of reasons, but it is particularly helpful for potty training. The crate should be a happy place that your dog wants to go. Think of it more as your dog’s “den” than a place of punishment. You can use special toys and chews to help your dog associate this space with good feelings.

Once your dog likes their crate and is trained to remain calm inside it, you can use it to prevent accidents. No dog wants to use the potty where they sleep, so they will often avoid urinating in the crate. This can be very helpful if you need to run out for an hour and can’t take your puppy with you.

Have a schedule.

Puppies thrive on schedules, similar to a human toddler. For this reason, we highly recommend figuring out a potty schedule and sticking to it. After a week or so, your puppy will pick up on this schedule and know when it is time to go to the bathroom. This can help you prevent accidents.

Don’t take shortcuts.

You should avoid taking shortcuts when potty training your mini Aussie—not letting your puppy out soon enough one time can be a huge setback. While it can often be overwhelming and tiring to potty train a dog, you’ll thank yourself later by sticking to the schedule and staying on top of your dog’s needs.

If there are more people in your household, be sure to get them on board as well. If you have multiple people taking the dog outside, it isn’t such a strain on one person. Make sure everyone knows the schedule and designate who will take the puppy outside when. It is much better if everyone has a sure time they need to take the dog out, as opposed to just assuming someone will take the dog out at 12.

Conclusion

Compared to full-sized Australian Shepherds, mini Aussies are somewhat more difficult to train. Their bladders are small, and they have shorter digestive systems. You will have to take them outside more often, as they just can’t hold it as long as other dogs.

When your dog needs to go outside more often during the day, it is much easier to mess up and miss an outing. This fact makes them difficult to train when compared to larger breeds.

However, they are not particularly difficult to train when you compare them to all other dogs. They are likely a bit easier than dogs their same size due to their higher intelligence. Mini Aussies are not nearly as difficult to train as some very small dogs, like Chihuahuas.

In the end, the answer to this question depends largely on what you’re comparing the mini Aussie too. Overall, they are not particularly difficult to housetrain.

Author: Kristin

Kristin was born in Tennessee and currently lives there with her husband and children. She is passionate about educating pet parents and helping them make the best possible decisions for their pets. She currently owns one dog, two cats, a lizard, and a variety of fish.