A new puppy is a wonderful addition to any family, but can also be a lot of work. Potty training puppies can be a stumbling block for many new pet owners. Set your puppy up for success by implementing clear and consistent training from the start with these ten tips.
1. Never Use Punishment When Potty Training Puppies!
This is the cardinal rule of potty training – or any training, for that matter. Punishing your puppy will only teach him to be afraid of you and anxious about relieving himself in your presence. Some dogs who are punished during potty training will learn to sneak off to an empty bedroom or other quiet area of the house to do their business. That’s because punishment does not teach the puppy where he can go, only that he’s in trouble if you see him. If your puppy has an accident in the house, clean it up calmly and quietly. Hitting, yelling, or rubbing the puppy’s nose in his mess are never appropriate training techniques and should be avoided.
2. Reward Good Behavior to Potty Train a Puppy
Help your puppy learn the correct behavior by consistently rewarding her for relieving herself outside. Small treats are great training rewards. For dogs that are not food-motivated, offering a favorite toy or petting and praise may serve as a desirable reward. Timing is key here: reward too soon and you may distract your puppy from relieving herself; reward too late and she may not associate the act with the reward. Ideally, you should toss a treat to her just as she finishes relieving herself.
3. Take Your Puppy Outside Frequently During Potty Training
This is essential to any potty training routine. Young puppies cannot hold their urine as long as adult dogs can. It’s important to get your puppy outside before he has a chance to relieve himself in the house. For 8-week-old puppies, this means going outside every 2 hours. If you are unable to take your puppy outside this frequently, leave him in a confined area with an appropriate potty surface such as a puppy pad or fake grass. As your puppy gets older you can increase the interval between trips to the yard. A good rule of thumb is one hour for every month of age. For example, a 3-month-old puppy should go outside every 3 hours; a four-month-old puppy should go outside every 4 hours, and so on. Remember that even as adults some dogs can hold their urine longer than others, so tailor your expectations according to your dog’s individual needs.
4. Establish a Potty Training Routine
You can minimize accidents in the house by taking your puppy outside at the times when she is most likely to urinate or defecate. These times include first thing in the morning, after a nap, after a play session, after a drink of water, and after meals. By sticking to this routine, your puppy will have ample opportunity to potty in an appropriate place. Your puppy will also learn when to expect a trip outside, making it easier for her to learn to “hold it” until you take her out. The more consistent all members of the family are with this routine, the faster your puppy will learn.
5. Use a Crate to Help You Potty Train a Puppy
A comfortable, appropriately sized crate is a great tool for potty training puppies. Your puppy can rest in his crate at times when you are unable to supervise him directly. Most dogs prefer not to eliminate in the area where they sleep. However, your puppy may eliminate in the crate if he is left there too long, so be sure to offer ample opportunity to go outside. It is best to take your puppy outside to potty as soon as you let him out of the crate. For tips on training your puppy to love his crate, please see our crate training handout.
6. Avoid Distractions During Potty Training
A common complaint from puppy owners is that their puppy will spend an hour playing outside and then will urinate as soon as she gets in the house. This can happen if your puppy is distracted while outside. When you bring your puppy outside, keep her on a leash and stand quietly until she relieves herself. If she still has not done so after five minutes, bring her inside and put her back in the crate for 15 minutes, then try again. Repeat this cycle until she finally relieves herself outside. Once your puppy has relieved herself, praise her and play with her. This process can be time consuming at first, but from it your puppy will learn that going to the bathroom is the priority when she is taken outside.
7. Be Aware of Your Puppy’s Cues and Triggers
Sniffing the floor, circling, posturing, and wandering off alone are all signs that your puppy is about to urinate or defecate. If you see your puppy doing this in the house, interrupt the behavior by quickly and gently picking him up and rushing him outside. Never yell or startle your puppy as this may frighten him. Once outside, place your puppy on the ground and reward him when he finishes relieving himself.
8. Keep Your Puppy Under Direct Supervision During Potty Training
Accidents are more likely to happen when your puppy is left unsupervised. Always keep your puppy under your direct supervision and take her outside immediately if she shows any of the signs listed above. Keeping your puppy on a leash while indoors will ensure that she does not wander away from you to urinate in the house. If you are unable to supervise your puppy directly, she should be kept in a contained area with an appropriate potty surface, such as a puppy pad or fake grass.
9. Use an Enzymatic Cleaner on All Accidents
Dogs have exceptionally sensitive noses. Once a pet has urinated or defecated in your home, your puppy will still be able to detect the smell long after you’ve cleaned up the mess. That lingering scent may make your puppy think that this spot is an acceptable place for him to urinate and defecate, too! Enzymatic cleaners work by breaking down the compounds in urine and other bodily fluids to eliminate odors and stains. These cleaners are available in most pet stores.
10. Don’t Forget: Accidents Happen!
Remember that no one is perfect. If your puppy has an accident in the house, use this opportunity to re-evaluate your training program and correct any mistakes. Did you miss any cues that he needed to go out? Was he left unsupervised? Fine-tuning your training program to your puppy’s individual needs will set him up for success. Remember never to punish your puppy for his accidents, as this can do more harm than good.
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