How to handle potty training while out and about
Potty training away from home causes high anxiety and frequent public accidents in underwear. This fear of going outside makes parents question whether to revert to nappies and leaves them feeling disheartened when setbacks happen at shops or daycare.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
How to handle potty training while out and about
- 1Using a portable potty or foldable toilet seat/reducer in publicDid this help you?
- 2Keeping a nappy on when going out and only doing nappy-free time at homeDid this help you?
- 3Offering the toilet preemptively before leaving, upon arrival, and before trips homeDid this help you?
- 4Using pull-ups at daycare as requested by staffDid this help you?
- 5covering the bed with foil or plastic sheetsDid this help you?
- 6hiring a dog walker or sending the dog to doggy daycareDid this help you?
- 7using puppy pads or setting up a penned potty areaDid this help you?
- 8coming home at lunchtime to let the dog outDid this help you?
- 9closing the bedroom door or confining the dog to a specific room or pen while awayDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Just wondering if anyone has any advice for when you’re out and about in shops etc?”source ↗
“It’s the going outside that makes me the most nervous. Would it be better to still wear normal nappies out and about until she’s confident doing it in the house?”source ↗
“I work from 7am to 5pm so most of the time she’s alone at home, I tried interactive toys to keep her engage during the day but she would always either break or eat at the toys so I’ve stopped and since then she would pee in the bed 2 to 4 times a week”source ↗
“I’ve tried covering the bed with foil or plastic sheets but to no good and I don’t know how to train her to stop this habit”source ↗
“It’s my first time owning a dog, what can I do to stop this bad habit?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 16How do I start potty training when I don't have a yard?
- 6Why does my potty trained child have accidents only at home?
- 16How to handle puppy night potty breaks in a two story house
- 12How to potty train a puppy with a busy work schedule
- 5Kindergarteners coming to school not potty trained
- 2How to handle bedwetting during sleepovers and trips