How to Get a Dog to Stop Drinking from the Toilet

An effective way to prevent your dog from drinking toilet water is to train your dog not to. In addition to training your dog, you can break your dog’s habit by stopping access to the bathroom and toilet. However, all family members need to be on board for this to work. Other preventative measures you can take are to provide fresh water regularly, place water bowls throughout the house, or purchase a different water bowl.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Training Your Dog

1
Catch your dog in the act. The best way to train your dog to stop doing anything is to catch it in the act. Once you hear your dog slurping from the toilet or you see it drinking out of the toilet, it is your chance to act.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Because dogs have short attention spans, it is pointless to reprimand your dog after the fact. You will need to catch your dog in the act in order to correct the behavior.
2
Call it from the area. Once you hear or see your dog drinking from the toilet, call it away from the toilet. Make sure you say “no” or “stop” when you catch your dog in the act. This will reinforce the idea that drinking from the toilet is an undesired behavior. Your tone of voice should be serious and calm.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You can say, “No, Fido. I do not want you drinking from the toilet. Come here,” or “Stop, Fido. Do not drink from the toilet. Come here.”
Advertisement
If your dog ceases drinking from the toilet when called and/or reprimanded, close the toilet lid. Make sure your dog sees and hears you closing the toilet lid. Closing the toilet lid will further reinforce the idea that you do not want it drinking from the toilet.
4
Give your dog a fresh bowl of water. After you have reprimanded your dog, redirect its behavior. Bring your dog to the kitchen and give it a fresh bowl of water. Verbally and physically praise your dog for drinking from its water bowl.
- For example, while petting your dog say, “Good boy (or girl)” in a praising tone.
- To further solidify the behavior, reward your dog with a treat for drinking out of its water bowl.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Stopping the Habit

1
Close the bathroom doors. You may be able to stop your dog’s toilet drinking habit by keeping the doors to the bathroom closed at all times. However, in order for this method to work, all of your family members must be on board.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Convene your family members and inform them of the agenda. Let them know why you do not want the dog to drink out of the toilet and what the solution is, i.e., keeping bathroom doors closed at all times.
- To help your family members (and guests) remember to close the bathroom door, place a sign on the back of the door.
2
Keep the toilet lid closed. Another preventative measure is to keep the toilet lid closed. Tell your family members to close the toilet lid once they are finished using the toilet. Place a sign on the toilet saying, “Please close the lid once you are done,” to help them remember.
- If you have small children in your family who cannot remember to close the toilet lid or the bathroom door, then you might want to install baby gates in your bathroom’s entry way. This will ensure that your dog will not be able to get to the toilet.
3
Use toilet lid locks. If your dog is pretty savvy, closing the toilet lid might not prevent it from drinking toilet water. These dogs use their paws or their nose to lift the toilet lid. If this applies to you, then you might want to install a toilet lid lock. These locks will prevent your dog from getting into the toilet bowl.^{[4]XResearch source}
- You can find toilet lid locks at your local hardware or home improvement store.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Taking Preventative Measures

1
Provide fresh water regularly. Warm, stagnant water in your dog’s water bowl is a major reason for why dogs resort to toilet water. By providing fresh, cool water throughout the day, you can prevent your dog from drinking toilet water. Your dog’s water bowl should be washed and refreshed at least twice per day.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceThe SPCA of TexasNonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals.Go to source}
- Add ice cubes or frozen blueberries to the water bowl to keep the water cool and fresh.
- Try using filtered water instead of regular tap water.
- If your dog frequently drinks from the toilet after emptying their water bowl, this may be a sign of a medical condition, such as diabetes or Cushing's Disease. You should take them to the vet for a check up.
2
Place water bowls throughout the house. Your dog should always have access to fresh water. Place several water bowls throughout your house. Place a water bowl in the kitchen, laundry room, and one in the bathroom to serve as an alternate to the toilet water.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If your dog plays in the back yard regularly, place a water bowl outside as well.
3
Raise your dog’s water bowl. Some dogs, particularly older dogs, may develop arthritis in their neck or shoulders. This can make it painful to bend over to reach a water bowl that is sitting on the floor. Try placing your dog’s water bowl on a raised platform so that they do not need to bend very far down to reach the water.
4
Purchase a different water bowl. Another reason why your dog might be drinking toilet water is because it does not like its bowl. If you use a steel or metal bowl, your dog might dislike the noises or reflections produced by these bowls. If you use a plastic bowl, the plastic could be tainting the water’s taste.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Opt for a ceramic bowl. Because these bowls are heavy, they do not move around or make noise while your dog is drinking. They are also easier to clean and do not taint the taste of the water like plastic bowls.
- Alternatively, you can purchase a pet fountain. These devices provide a constant source of fresh, running water, which is particularly attractive to dogs.
Advertisement