Each dog has a different character. The secret is to understand each unique character. Also, the level of intelligence of the breed is an interesting factor. Some dogs are keenly intelligent(like the Chihuahua-who delights in learning new things)..some breeds are slow in learning and can be stupid!. Some breed are smart but not obedient. Some can be really stubborn(knows what you require, but decided not to obey!-like the Basset Hound(Hush Puppy)!).
But all dogs have natural instincts that comes from our Creator!. All dogs would love to pee and poo far from their sleeping place! And all dogs actually love the natural soil!..
However, due to limited and confined spaces of modern living, the doggies have to be contented with doing their business on unnatural grounds: like newspapers , bathroom(which are either tiled or cemented), or even a special poo/pee plastic container?.
In training dogs, we have to understand their instincts. Young puppies develop an association of smell with their pooing ground. If , from young, for instance, we lined their enclosures with newspaper, they would associate that smell with pooing. So, they will soon learn to search for newspapers for pooing/peeing. Woe be it to the owner who lets the young pups poo/pee freely on the tiled floor!. They will associate tile floors' smell as their bathroom!. So as an advice, do not allow puppies to poo/pee on bare floors! unless you intend to have them as an outdoor dog!.
Once they like to use cemented floor,these confined dogs might not use the natural soil, even if they have an access to it.
You can observe this behaviour from rescue dogs that are rescued from apartments and now living in landed property!. They will still use the cemented/tiled floor to your chagrin!. But, good news is that you can always retrain them !
Also, doggies do not like to wet their paws. They would also prefer materials that are absorbent! rather than letting their paws get wet!.
Also, we use repetition and keen observation in training dogs. Keep on reminding them of the same thing over and over again everyday. But not in a short time(like repeating for the next half hour), because that makes them bored..and they will resist the activity as they view it as weird and torturing. Also observe and 'catch them on the act'.
Do not reprimand them on acts that are done out of your presence. It has to be on the spot!.
To read how Blessing , my doggy learnt to use the bathroom. Click here!
If you desire your pet to use the bathroom/toilet, first make sure your toilet smells like one!. I mean, you need to pee there yourself..on the floor...hmm..sounds weird...but , your toilet need to smell different from your hall floor..you know what I mean? You don't need to do it all your life ..but just for the duration of the training. Once your doggy learnt it, his/her own pee/poo smell is good enough to remind her/him.
I normally bring them after their meal...or immediately after they wake up from sleep..and keep on saying 'toilet' to associate the word with poo/pee.
To read the account of toilet training from Oreo, click here.
Female dogs are easier to train in this aspect and are more consistent. Male doggies do not urinate only for relieving themselves, but they also 'spray' to mark their territory. It is difficult, if not impossible to train them not to mark territory!. Some male dogs can learn not to do it, but most, once insecure of a new person's presence(might be your visitors) will start doing the undesired act of marking territory! everywhere and anywhere(maybe on your fabric sofa and all kinds of furniture!).
For apartment living, I recommended spayed female dogs. This is to avoid a doggy having to put up for
rescue over 'spraying' issue..or aggression due to being confined(which can be dominant in males)...