Toilet Training in Less Than a Day: A Tested Method for Teaching Your Child Quickly and Happily! by Nathan H. Azrin and Richard M. Foxx (1989, Paperback, Reprint)

I believe this book works best for the first attempt at toilet training. Before reading this book I had tried with my boy for over a year, but after this book I am finally seeing progress with tips from this book, but I believe my stress would have been greatly reduced had I known about it sooner. The younger the better. The book recommends starting at 20 months old, but I plan to try it sooner with my baby girl. The book defines toilet trained as being entirely self-sufficient, using the potty chair without help or reminders, and even emptying it when finished. To accomplish this in a few concentrated fun-filled hours with your child is far better than suffering the drawn out anguish I have previously experienced with other methods. I see no down side to using the techniques found in this book. It starts with a checklist to see if the child is ready to be trained: Can he follow directions?, Can he grasp objects? Does he remain dry for extended periods rather than dribbling all day?. It recommends the use of a doll that wets for demonstration and roll playing. It encourages an environment full of one on one attention, praise, and enthusiasm. Using the child's favorite drinks as a reward encourages fluid intake, which increases urine output, allowing for more opportunity for teaching and success. Accidents are met by showing of disappointment, requiring child to clean up after self, then instructing need to practice so next time will be better. All instruction is provided in a loving manner to encourage an effective learning environment without discouragement or fear, letting the child know he is loved, but having wet pants is undesirable. I have already recommended this book to all my friends. This book may be dated, but is well worth the read.

I decided to buy this book to use with my two boys, ages 41 months and 27 months. I also have a daughter that is 15 months. I've not finished the book as yet, but what I have read so far is good. I've tried a few times to get both boys using the potty, but my middle son just isn't ready and I'm not entirely sure that my oldest one is either.

While I found the method easy enough, I'm not sure that it would be practical in my situation. I think it would be difficult for me to spend an entire day trying to intensively toilet train my oldest son, whilst my other two children are in the backgroud, as I don't really have anyone to watch my other two children. I'm sure people with twins etc., have used this method but perhaps it's easier when you're training the two children at the same time? I will finish reading the book and hopefully I will figure out a way to make this work while juggling the other two children!

This really works! My twin daughters were totally potty trained (day and night) by the time they were 2 1/2. I tried many techniques before this and once I tried this, it wasn't long before they were going on their own! It did take a little longer than the few hours that the book states, but it was within two days! I definitely recommend this book!

THIS BOOK WORKS.
MY CHILDREN ARE GROWN NOW, BUT MY DAUGHTER WAS COMPLETELY TRAINED, AND AUTONOMOUS, WITHIN 1 DAY. MY SON TOOK 1 WEEK. DONE. HAPPY. NEVER HAD TO THINK ABOIUT IT AGAIN.
THIS METHOD ALSO BUILDS INCREDIBLE SELF CONFIDENCE IN THE YOUNGSTERS TRAINED WITH IT.
I AM BUYING THESE COPIES FOR NIECES WHO ARE YOUNG PARENTS.
I HAVE WITNESSED THE STRUGGLES OTHERS HAVE HAD AROUND THIS ISSUE, AND I WILL TELL YOU THIS BOOK IS WORTH GOLD.

P.S. I AM NOT IN THE HABIT OF WRITING REVIEWS. :)

Over 25 years ago, I read this book and thought I'd give it a try on my 3rd child. Much to my amazement, this method worked! It was so much easier than the traditional methods I had used with my first 2 children. I had given my copy of the book to a friend to try. Since I wasn't having any more children, I was not concerned about having the book returned. Now, I am a grandmother, and, as it is nearing toilet training time, I thought of this book and told my daughter-in-law about it. She said sure, she'd try it. So I set about to find the book, found it on e-bay, and purchased it. My son and daughter-in-law are going to use this method on Allison. I am sure it will work as well for Allison as it did for her Daddy.