On several of my dog training sites i have been asked to describe how I train my dogs to go in a potty pen and what exactly is a potty pen.  So I thought I would share with all my dog sites.  If any one has any questions feel free to ask.

I came up with the potty pen idea after I started fostering dogs for a shelter. I was spending so much time cleaning up after them. PLus I hated the way my lawn looked. I am one of those people that loves to walk on a lawn bare footed and needless to say I, and no one else wanted to. Plus having small children I wanted a distinct area that I could teach my children to stay out of.  Also It can be painted or stained to match any decor.  So I built a pen in a corner of the yard. The pen is about 4 feet by 6 feet and can easily accomadate 2 dogs. More if I clean it every day in stead of every 2-3 days. The fence is about 1 foot high and looks like a mini version of a corral. With corner posts and 2 boards for each side. On one side in a corner we left the bottom board out. In doing this we made it so small dogs or puppies can go out this opening. Most others just chose to jump in and out once they are big enough. Sheena at five months still uses the opening but sometimes will jump in or out.  It is made of wood and takes us roughly 3-4 hours to build.  And cost roughly $25-$30 dollars to build if you have to buy the wood.  We always just go to the dump and pick up some old wooden palets and use those by dismanteling them.  So we save a lot of money that way.

As for training them to go in the potty pen the first secret is once
it is built clean up your yard and put any feces in the pen. Next
you will end up using the crate alot during this time. You will stop
using it I promise. Now here is the hard part. Make sure the leash
and collar is on so that you are in control the whole time. Start
with taking the puppy or dog to the door you will be leaving though
each time she is being taken out to go potty. Have a Nice sized ball
bell tied to a rope and tied to the door. Take her paw and get her
to hit the bell so it makes a sound. Only do this when you are
taking her to go potty. In doing this she will later learn to hit
the bell to let you know she needs to go outside to relieve herself.
Now open the door and take her to the potty pen. Give the command
for going potty every 30 seconds for five minutes, I like to use the
term "Hurry Up". If the puppy goes then click the clicker and praise
and give her a piece of kibble. If not pick the puppy up and put
back in it's crate for 10 minutes. Then try again. Keep this up
till the puppy goes. No punishment and lots of praise to help the
puppy gain confidence.  Once the puppy or dog goes then depending on the age and if you free feed(which I never do)or schedule feed then figure out how long you think you dog or pup can have free time till it needs to go agian.  I usually start off with a half hour of free time for small puppies and then take them to the pen and start the routine all over.  In doing this I learn their potty schedule and they also learn to go when I want them to which is great.  I can take Sheena out at 3pm and then if I suddenly have to go out I can take her back out 10 minutes later and she will go and then we can go where ever I need to.

As you can see your dog will be learning several different
behaviours. One to alert you that they need to go out. Two to go
potty on command and three only to relieve themselves in the pen.
But you have to be consistent. For the first while you can't leave
them alone in the yard. If you see them while playing start to sniff
around or squat then clap your hands loudly and shout "NO". Take
them immediately to the pen. And follow the procedure. If they
don;t go then put them in their crate and so on. Don;t just let them
back out. They will learn that great things happen when they use the
pen. Don't get frustrated either. Some dogs can learn in a few days
and some I have know to take as long as a month. Sheena learned the
concept in a week and now we don't even have to go outside with her.
I just open the door, she runs to the pen, goes then runs back in.
Same thing when she is playing outside. I have used this technique with hundreds of rescued, abandoned, abused, adult, teenage and puppies.  And I have not once had this not work.  But like I said some do take longer than others.  Also one last thing.  If they do have an accident in the yard immediately clean it up atfter putting them in their crate, and spray the spot down well with a hose. 

Agian if anyone has any questions let me know.

Dear Isabeau, can you tell me is it possible to train an older dog who has been used to going where he likes? Please see the topic on the behaviour board: Where to wee, as this is from me and about my two dogs. I'd be really interested to hear from you further on this matter as I am also running out of grass now. Thank you, Nicolinena

Yes it is possible you just have to be more diligent and it will take longer to make the dog consistent.  I have fostered for shelters for over 12 years and trained many many adult dogs in the manner I stated.  Just don't vary from it one bit.  If you can't be there to watch the dog in the yard because of work keep it in the house, crate or have someone come and watch the dog so it doesn't get taken off of the training.  I know this can be difficult sometimes but every time I had a foster dog I had to do this for a couple of months to make sure the training stuck.  Good luck.