How to Potty Train a Puppy

A new puppy is an exciting addition to your home and family. But bringing the puppy home means the work begins. The last thing you want is for your joy to be overtaken by an abundance of potty accidents. By using the following steps, you can train your puppy to go when and where you want in a minimal amount of time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Potty command
• Designated place for the puppy to eliminate
• Cleaning products to remove pet urine
• Consistency
• Patience

1. Decide on the potty command you will use and where you want the puppy to go. This can be your whole backyard, or designated areas within your yard.

2. Take the puppy out right when you get him home. Show him where you want to him to go, and be sure to use your selected command right after he goes, in addition to your praise. For example say "good potty."

3. Watch for signs that she needs to go potty, such as circling, squatting or whining. As soon as you see this take her outside immediately.

4. Wait for him to go, and then praise him thoroughly. Wait and see if he needs to go more than once and if not go back inside.

5. Correct any accidents you see in progress. Try to hurry the puppy outside and if you are not in time, just say "no" firmly but do not punish strongly. Punishing will only cause her to hide in the future.

6. Clean any accidents quickly and thoroughly. Be sure to clean all the way down to the carpet padding. If the puppy can still smell it, he will think he can still go in that spot as a natural instinct.

7. Practice with your puppy consistently and continue to watch for warning signs at all times. Potty training takes time and you have to remain consistent in order for it to be successful.

Tips & Warnings

• Accidents happen. Accept this and be prepared with cleaning supplies.
• Potty training usually takes two weeks, although it can sometimes go on for months. Be patient and keep up with the steps.
• Young dogs need to eliminate every two to three hours, so schedule accordingly. It takes time for them to develop the muscles required to hold it for an extended amount of time. Certain activities can also trigger the need to eliminate. These include naps, playing or anything that gets the puppy excited. Be sure to go outside after these events.
• If the puppy does not go after a few minutes outside, bring her in and try again in thirty minutes or so.
• If you do not see the puppy go in the house, don't correct. The time has passed and he will think this is a punishment for what he is doing at that point in time.
• Never push the nose or face of the puppy in an indoor elimination spot. This is not an effective method and can even cause psychological harm which will manifest in behavior issues later.

Resources

• Look for potty training tips and hints for new puppies.
• Find tips for training dogs and puppies.
• Visit Bark Bytes to aid you in your training efforts.

[muelo1000]

on 1/18/2009 I have a Toy Poodle and I have him on a pad problem is he some times go and some times dose not, I even bought a pad holder to defined the potty area and the rest of the floor i keep food and water close to him all the time dont know if this is causing him to go !!! please help ???

[klhayes80]

on 11/29/2008 I'm a mom of 5 dogs, so I have a little practice on potty training. I disagree with the statement to not discipline or put the puppy's nose in his accident if you don't see him do it. Here is the reason. Dogs, including young puppies, know their scent. If you see a pee spot and take your puppy over to where they peed, hold them by the nape of their neck (firmly, but not aggressively- like how a mother dog would hold their pups), put their nose close to their pee so they can smell it, and say bad potty in a firm voice, they’ll understand that that is their own pee. They hear in your voice that it's not a good thing to go in the house. You can give them light taps on the behind (because that’s where the potty came out of) while saying bad potty. Immediately, take them outside, place them on the ground and say "good potty" (in a warm voice) over and over again, while tapping them ligh

[heldstab]

on 10/14/2008 my puppie gets up we take her out she goes fine ill be watching her play & right then shell go poop right in front of us or hide to go how to get her to go to the door

[kekst7]

on 9/27/2007 Also, make sure that if you choose a designated area within your backyard for the puppy to do its business, you choose somewhere far away from the house.

[hairball2505]

on 9/15/2007 what kind of dogs are easier to train?