TIP 1: If you have the space we highly recommend you create a toilet area (sometimes called 'spending pens' for your dog to learn to toilet in at home. This helps to keep the rest of your garden clear. 

Our toilet pen is made from concrete blocks in a square with wood bark around 6 inches deep. This allows for easy drainage (preventing smells) and is easy to pick up poop but you could make a suitable toileting area in loads of ways. You may wish to put a higher fence around the edge if your children may enter the area accidentally. 

Tip 2: Once per day (we usually use the morning toilet as its a time you know your puppy will really need to empty their bladder and open their bowels (do a wee & poop), take your dog to toilet outside of the garden onto an appropriate side area your dog may need to toilet in when working out and about such as a grass verge, base of tree. This helps to ensure your dog will be able to toilet on a variety of appropriate surfaces- you'd be amazed how many dogs will only wee on grass.... not helpful when you've got an assistance dog working one day in a city centre!

Tip 3: Vary the lead! When starting out you probably want to keep your dog on lead (especially if you're wanting them to only toilet in one area of garden) to help show them where to go and to be close to give your 'toilet' cue when they're weeing/pooping. 

Tip 4: Have a toiletting cue!