How to Know When Your Puppy Has to Pee

Housebreaking a puppy is often labor-intensive and frustrating, especially if your new puppy is prone to having accidents inside your house. Recognizing the signs that your puppy has to pee is an extremely important step in teaching her where to relieve herself.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Watch your puppy and notice if she is circling, whimpering, sniffing floors and furniture or walking backwards. These are classic signs that a puppy needs to pee.

2. Take your puppy outside first thing each morning, as well as every time she wakes up following a nap. Most puppies need to pee after long periods of sleep.

3. Bring your puppy into your yard to pee after she's eaten each meal of the day, or after she has consumed a great deal of water. Puppies generally need to pee 15 to 20 minutes after eating or drinking.

4. Let your puppy outside to relieve herself after she has finished playing and exerting a lot of energy.

5. Walk your puppy to the spot in the yard designated for her to pee just before bedtime, so she won't have accidents in the house overnight.

6. Place waterproof pads around the house if your puppy is having accidents during the housebreaking process. These can protect your furniture and floors if you position them in the locations where you puppy most often pees.

Tips & Warnings

• Every puppy develops her own way of letting you know she has to pee, and it's up to you to recognize it. Stay keenly aware of your puppy's behavior while you're housebreaking her, and you'll soon decipher the signs that she needs to go outside.