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“Toilet Training in Less Than a Day”: Azrin and Foxx Method

“Toilet Training in Less Than a Day,” by Nathan H. Azrin, PhD and Richard M. Foxx, PhD, hit bookstands in 1974. Forty plus years later, it is still in print, and the method has worked for millions of children. Azrin and Foxx, like others, noted that forcing children to sit on the potty (toilet) until they finally used it was an ineffective training method. The method they developed involves teaching the child to toilet (urinate in the potty) through repetition. There is more to it, including lots of praise, as well as verbal disapproval and corrective action when needed.
azrin and foxx

by Anna Kaplan, MD

Dr. Anna Kaplan is a writer and a licensed physician. She completed a 3-year residency and board certification in Family Practice and was in active practice for 15 years. A parent herself, Anna still remembers the "I know how to use the potty" song that her children sang.

“Toilet Training in Less Than a Day,” by Nathan H. Azrin, PhD and Richard M. Foxx, PhD, hit bookstands in 1974. Forty plus years later, it is still in print, and the method has worked for millions of children. Azrin and Foxx, like others, noted that forcing children to sit on the potty (toilet) until they finally used it was an ineffective training method. The Azrin and Foxx Method involves teaching the child to toilet (urinate in the potty) through repetition. There is more to it, including lots of praise, as well as verbal disapproval and corrective action when needed.

You and Your Child Must Be Ready

Before beginning toilet training, your child (called he) must show readiness. There are different ways to decide if he is ready. Azrin and Foxx believe these signs may appear at around 20 months of age:
  1. He has bladder control and can keep his diaper dry for hours.
  2. He can pull his training pants up and down and walk from one location to another.
  3. He can follow instructions, such as sitting in a chair or bringing over a toy.
To begin training, you will need supplies, including a potty, a doll that wets, snacks and drinks your child likes, and training pants.

Azrin and Foxx Part One: Teaching a Doll to Toilet

During "Part One" of the Azrin and Foxx Method, your child starts by training a doll who wets with these steps:
  1. He puts the doll on the potty and lowers her pants. You make the doll pee. Your child praises her, saying, “Dolly is a good girl for peeing in the potty” and offers her a treat. If he promises to use the potty himself, he can eat it.
  2. He shows the doll how to empty the potty bowl into a toilet.
  3. He checks the doll’s pants and checks himself. If he is dry, he gets a treat.
  4. You make the doll wet her pants. He checks. Since she is wet, he shows displeasure by saying, “No, Dolly, big girls don’t wet their pants.” He guides her through the correct steps.
  5. He checks his dry pants and gets a treat or drink.
  6. The doll correctly pees into the potty.

Azrin and Foxx Part Two: Your Child Learns to Toilet

In "Part Two" of the Azrin and Foxx Method, your child will now repeat all the steps himself. Give him rewards for dry pants. The steps are:
  1. Checking for dry pants.
  2. Going to the potty every 15 minutes and when needed.
  3. Pulling down pants.
  4. Sitting quietly on the potty.
  5. Pulling up pants.
  6. Emptying the pan from his potty into a toilet, flushing, and putting the pot back.
Every time he does something correctly, you give him a treat/drink, and say positive things. Accidents may happen. If he starts to urinate, or if he finds his pants wet, you say “No,” verbally express disapproval, and give him a sequence of corrections.
  1. Take him to where he wet himself. Have him walk to the potty, pull down his pants, and sit.
  2. Repeat this from nine more locations.
  3. Have him check his pants again, showing wetness.
  4. Have him change his pants.
Eventually, your child will pee into the potty. Give him lots of praise. Remind him, if necessary, of the other steps. Once he completes the whole toileting process without reminders, he is considered trained. You should watch him for three more cycles, with less praise and fewer pants checks. After the third success, stop rewards. Afrin and Foxx state that many children accomplish this in half a day.

After Training

He may have accidents during the first few days. If he does, have him to do ten walks to the potty, and change clothes himself. Since most children urinate at the same time they have bowel movements, he will “poop” in the potty naturally. Diapers should only be used at night and discontinued if he stays dry. This summary is no replacement for Azrin and Foxx’s step-by-step guide, which includes much more information and specific ways to deal with problems and setbacks. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests making a plan that works for your family.

Additional Potty Training Resources:

Potty Training Techniques The Azrin Foxx Method

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