The body tells you before the accident does
Sniffing the floor with purpose, circling, a sudden pause mid-play, or wandering toward a door are common signs a dog needs to go. These signals can be subtle and easy to miss during a busy day.
Timing makes signals easier to catch
Watching closely right after waking, eating, or an exciting burst of play makes signals more obvious, because those are the moments elimination is most likely anyway.
Catching it changes what your dog learns
Heading calmly to the right spot the moment you notice a signal teaches the connection between the urge and the destination. Reacting after an accident does not teach that connection nearly as well.
What to avoid
Keep the response gentle.
Avoid waiting for an obvious announcement. Many dogs give a small, quiet signal rather than a dramatic one.
Safety boundary
When to get more help.
A dog who stops giving any signal at all, or seems confused or distressed around elimination, is worth mentioning to your veterinarian.