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How to Train a puppy to go potty outside

Member
By knewf
User-Submitted Article
(44 Ratings)

Many people complain that they take the puppy outside to go potty, they stay outside with the puppy, they try everything, the puppy does NOT go potty but comes right back inside and goes potty in the house. Solutions to this problem will be discussed here.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • a crate for the puppy or an enclosed area
  • treats for the puppy
  • a leash for the puppy, preferably a flexi leash or a long leash
  1. Step 1

    Firstly, the puppy should be kept in an enclosure that is fairly small or in a crate during the times that he is "napping" and at night. This is the First step to housetraining. This is because the puppy normally will not go potty in his "bed area" and instinctively he will keep his bed area clean.

  2. Step 2

    Secondly, at all times when you do take the puppy outside, keep him leashed, and take along some treats. The treats are only for offering to the puppy if and when he pees or poops. The leash should be long enough to allow him to move freely without being constrained by you, so that he has at least a 12 foot or so diameter area to "investigate".

  3. Step 3

    Thirdly, keep a "watch" on the puppy during the times that he is not napping and is playing or running around in the house. Do not leave food down for him to munch on (see tips below) but do leave fresh water available. Take him outside about once every hour to two hours depending on his age, when he is active.

  4. Step 4

    The puppy should be taken outside on a regular schedule, every two hours for sure. And EVERY time he begins to go to sleep, put him in his crate, and when he wakes up, take him outside. Keep a "watch" on him. If he begins to run around in circles and sniff along the floor, take him outside. Put him in his crate every night, do not remove him during the night unless he creates a HUGE fuss. If you do take him out of his crate, take him outside, on a leash, give him a treat if he goes potty, and bring him back inside and put him back in his bed.

  5. Step 5

    Always give a treat immediately and praise the puppy for going potty outside. Begin to use key words to elicit this behavior, words like "hurry up" or "go potty" just as he is beginning to sniff around. This WILL work. Do not play with the puppy or pay any attention to him UNLESS he eliminates. Be patient.If he has been crated for an hour or two, he most likely will go within 20 minutes. Also if he has eaten within the last half hour, he should go within 20 minutes.

Tips & Warnings
  • Feeding the puppy on a regular schedule will help you judge when he needs to go to the bathroom. Offering food or water after 8 pm in the evening is usually a no no, unless you stay up late at night and sleep during the day on your own schedule.
  • Most puppies will eliminate within one half hour after eating. food should be offered three times a day, not 'at will". Not only is it easier for you to judge how much the puppy is eating but it is healther for the dog's digestive system not to have the smell of food in front of him at all times, as the smell will cause his stomach and intestines to be "working" even when he is not eating anything. Besides, if you offer food on a timed schedule, you can then schedule the elimination process.
  • Puppies who are not used a leash and a collar may fight the collar and spend all the time being afraid or defensive. A young puppy will not go far from you so you CAN if necessary take him outside and set him down on the grass in a safe area without a leash. The best alternative however is to purchase an adjustable harness and put this on the puppy and just keep it on him. Hook the leash to this harness when he is outside.
Resources

Comments  

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on 6/23/2009 Great article and very helpful. Reading this article gives me information to care for my new puppy. Thanks!

auntnikki said

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on 5/24/2009 Excellent!

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on 8/3/2008 Good advice. Thanks for the tips!

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on 8/3/2008 Good advice. Thanks for the tips!

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on 8/3/2008 Good advice. Thanks for the tips!

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