Learning how to potty train puppies at the right time and place is one of the most important first steps you can take for a long, happy life together. House soiling is among the top reasons why dogs lose their homes or end up in shelters. Few people are willing to put up with a dog who destroys rugs and flooring, or who leaves a stinky mess that needs to be cleaned after a hard day at work.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you do some research in advance on how to house train a dog, decide what will work best for your situation, and make a plan.
There are tried-and-true methods for training your puppy, says Mary Burch, Ph.D., director of the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs. While she says there are pros and cons to each, they all can be successful if you follow a few basic tips.
Crates: An Effective Tool for Potty Training
Many first-time dog owners may feel uneasy about confining their puppies in a crate, but this hesitation often fades after a few days of having a new pet. Crates can greatly simplify life with a dog, and it’s wise to help your puppy become comfortable with one for various situations, like vet visits or travel.
Dogs are naturally den animals, instinctively seeking out a cozy space for security, whether you provide one or not. This makes crate training a relatively straightforward process.
The key to using a crate for house training lies in the fact that dogs prefer to keep their living areas clean. Just like you, they dislike having to lie in a urine-soaked spot. It’s crucial to ensure the crate is appropriately sized just big enough for your dog to lie down, stand up, and turn around. If the crate is too large, your puppy might feel it’s acceptable to eliminate in one corner and then settle down away from the mess. Many crates come with adjustable partitions to accommodate your puppy’s growth.
When a puppy feels the urge to go, they typically signal this by whining or scratching. This is their way of communicating that they need to go outside. If you ignore these signals and allow your puppy to relieve themselves in their crate, they will learn that it’s acceptable to mess up their space. This could lead to them thinking it’s fine to leave little surprises around your home as well.
Using Puppy Pads and Paper Training
Dr. Burch notes that while puppy pads and paper training can be helpful, they can also be a bit complicated. “You’re essentially teaching your puppy two different options,” she explains. Ideally, puppies should learn to hold it indoors and only relieve themselves in designated outdoor areas. However, some situations may require a more flexible approach—like for individuals with jobs that make it difficult to come home several times a day or for small dogs living in harsh winter climates.
Puppy pads offer dogs a convenient option for relieving themselves in an approved spot within the home. Additionally, there are indoor dog bathrooms designed specifically for male dogs. Once your puppy matures and becomes more reliable, you can then shift your focus to encouraging them to do their business exclusively outdoors.
Create a Housetraining Schedule for Your Puppy
Establishing a consistent housetraining schedule is essential for success. Puppies have small bladders, and their bodies process water quickly, so it’s vital to give them ample chances to eliminate in appropriate areas.
A helpful guideline is that puppies can usually hold their bladders for a duration that corresponds to their age in months, up to about nine months to a year. For instance, a 6-month-old puppy can typically hold it for around 6 hours. Keep in mind that each puppy is unique, and timing may vary. Observing your puppy’s behaviors and routines is key when setting up your schedule.
For very young puppies, you should plan to take them outside or to their designated potty area:
- First thing in the morning and last thing at night
- After playtime indoors
- After being in a crate or waking from a nap
- After chewing a toy, eating, or drinking
This may require you to take your puppy out multiple times throughout the day. If you work outside the home, it’s a good idea to arrange for a dog walker or someone familiar with your puppy to help maintain this schedule.
The sooner you can communicate that there are specific places for puttying and areas that are off-limits, the faster your puppy will learn and the sooner you can move past this training phase.
Observing and Supervising Your Dog
Careful observation of your puppy is crucial to understanding their unique signals and routines. Each puppy has its own rhythm when it comes to potty habits. Some may be able to hold it longer, while others might need to go out every time they play or get excited. You might even notice that some puppies pause during play to relieve themselves before resuming their fun. Just like human babies, dogs have distinct potty habits that can vary widely from one individual to another.
Controlling Your Dog’s Diet
Puppies have developing digestive systems, so they cannot handle large amounts of food at once. It’s advisable to divide their meals into three smaller portions throughout the day. Choosing high-quality puppy food is also essential; whatever you select should agree with your puppy’s digestive needs.
Monitoring your puppy’s stool can provide important insights into their dietary needs. If your puppy consistently produces bulky, loose, or foul-smelling stools, it might be time to consult your veterinarian about a potential diet change. Overfeeding can lead to diarrhea, which complicates the housetraining process even further. Making sure your puppy's diet is balanced and appropriate is key to helping them succeed in their training.
Reinforcing Your Puppy for “Going” Outside
Scolding a puppy for soiling your rug, especially after the fact, is ineffective. Outdated methods of punishment, like rubbing a dog’s nose in their mess, are not only bizarre but also counterproductive. The best approach is to praise your puppy for doing the right thing. Help them feel like a little canine genius every time they successfully relieve themselves outside.
Be enthusiastic in your praise—cheer, clap, and shower them with treats. Make it clear that this simple, natural act is a monumental achievement. Reward your puppy with small, easily digestible treats that they love.
If your puppy has an accident indoors, don’t overreact. Simply clean up the mess calmly. Use an odor-neutralizing cleaner to eliminate any lingering scents that might encourage future accidents. Blot up any liquid before applying the cleaner to the carpet.
If you catch your puppy starting to squat, quickly pick them up and rush them outside. If they finish their business outdoors, shower them with praise and attention. Remember, prevention is crucial in the housetraining process. By reinforcing positive behaviors and addressing accidents calmly, you can effectively guide your puppy towards successful potty habits.
Troubleshooting Common Housetraining Problems
While following the right rules typically leads to a well-housetrained puppy, there are instances when things don’t go as smoothly as expected.
Dr. Burch emphasizes that persistent house soiling can sometimes indicate an underlying physical issue. “If a dog seems impossible to housetrain well before reaching several months of age, a thorough veterinary evaluation is essential,” she advises. If your vet determines that your puppy is healthy, the next step is to consult a trainer or behaviorist experienced in addressing these challenges.
Here are some common issues trainers frequently encounter:
“My Dog Is Piddling All Over the House!”
This issue is especially prevalent among owners of toy breeds. Some trainers suggest teaching these puppies to use designated indoor potty areas, similar to how a cat uses a litter box. In addition to puppy pads, there are specialized dog potty boxes designed for indoor use. With consistency, patience, and effort, you can successfully housetrain a small dog, even if it requires a bit more time and attention.
“My Dog Keeps Peeing in the Same Spot Where They Had an Accident.”
This behavior often occurs because the area hasn’t been cleaned thoroughly. There may still be residual odors that signal to your puppy that it’s an acceptable potty spot. To remedy this, ensure your new puppy supply kit includes effective pet stain enzymatic cleaners, and carefully follow the instructions for use to eliminate odors completely. By addressing these issues, you can help your puppy learn where it’s appropriate to go.
“I Gave Them the Run of the Apartment. When I Came Home, There Was a Mess.”
A common mistake, this often happens when owners see early signs of success and let their guard down too soon. Even if your puppy seems to understand the housetraining routine, it’s essential to stick to the schedule until the habits are firmly ingrained. Early confidence in their behavior can lead to setbacks.
“They’re Soiling Their Crate!”
For dogs who were confined for extended periods in the past and had to eliminate in their kennel, crate soiling may be a difficult habit to break. Dr. Burch recommends starting from scratch with crate and housetraining to help them learn a new routine. Here are some steps to follow:
- Assess how long your dog can hold its bladder and bowels outside the crate.
- Monitor their diet and keep them on a consistent feeding schedule.
- Provide frequent opportunities to go outside, especially after meals, upon waking, and before bed.
- If you’re away during the day, consider hiring a dog walker to ensure they get regular bathroom breaks.
- Use enzymatic cleaners to remove any lingering odors from previous accidents, eliminating cues that may encourage them to go in the crate again.
“I Gave Them the Run of the Apartment. When I Came Home, There Was a Mess.”
A common mistake, this often happens when owners see early signs of success and let their guard down too soon. Even if your puppy seems to understand the housetraining routine, it’s essential to stick to the schedule until the habits are firmly ingrained. Early confidence in their behavior can lead to setbacks.
“They’re Soiling Their Crate!”
For dogs who were confined for extended periods in the past and had to eliminate in their kennel, crate soiling may be a difficult habit to break. Dr. Burch recommends starting from scratch with crate and housetraining to help them learn a new routine. Here are some steps to follow:
- Assess how long your dog can hold its bladder and bowels outside the crate.
- Monitor their diet and keep them on a consistent feeding schedule.
- Provide frequent opportunities to go outside, especially after meals, upon waking, and before bed.
- If you’re away during the day, consider hiring a dog walker to ensure they get regular bathroom breaks.
- Use enzymatic cleaners to remove any lingering odors from previous accidents, eliminating cues that may encourage them to go in the crate again.
How Long Does Puppy Potty Training Take?
The time needed to potty train a puppy can vary widely, explains Dr. Burch. Factors like age, past experiences, training methods, and consistency all play a role. For instance, an 8-week-old puppy is at a very different developmental stage compared to a 5-month-old. Some puppies may catch on within days, while others may take several months, especially if they previously had inconsistent training or a challenging environment. With persistence and patience, however, most puppies will learn.
For those looking for a well-bred, responsibly-raised puppy, the CKC Marketplace can connect you with passionate, responsible breeders to guide you through each stage of puppy ownership. Visit CKC Marketplace to begin your search for the perfect puppy and knowledgeable breeders.