Typically, we do not rely on sprays to help in potty training but you can also use a potty attractant spray in worst-case scenarios. If you want to take the potty game one notch up, you can house-train your puppy for Potty Bells. Many of our customers have found that a chiming doorbell mat is easier to use than the potty bells your dog has to ring. You can also hear it from other rooms! But our recommendation would be to hold that for later. It’s always good when you take one step at a time.
The Crux…
You have reached the pinnacle of the 7-day potty training guide. The next few steps are going to be crucial. Keep reading to learn how to finish the potty training process.
Step 3: Establishing A Routine
Now that you introduced your pup to the outside world, the next thing our 7-day potty training requires is a fixed routine to start rolling on the fast track. Being on a routine is crucial if you aim to achieve long-lasting results.
Puppies work best if kept on a schedule. Scheduling keeps them disciplined and there is no more adorable puppy than a disciplined one. Time for chow, sleep, play, and going potty outside. Set the time and duration for each activity. Be persistent and make sure that you follow the set schedule.
Not following the routine can make your pup confused and it can have serious negative results. The routine covers wake-up time to night night time and everything in between. That means fixed meal times, outdoor playtime, crate time, poop time, nap time, and whatnot.
Now coming back to the puppy potty training schedule. As we mentioned before, puppies have a shorter bladder control span. So they need to eliminate it almost every hour. That means taking them out immediately after they wake up and then continuing the cycle after every hour. You also have to take them out after meals and playtime and before bedtime.
Be specific about the feeding time. Being regular in what, when, and how you feed them will bring consistency and a specific pattern in their time to go poop. Soon you and your pup both will be on the same page when it comes to potty training. e urge all pup parents not to leave the food bowl lying around at all times. This creates an issue because puppies usually have a bowel movement quickly after eating. If you don’t know when they ate you won’t know when to take them out.
When we talk about food, how can we not talk about water? Your puppy’s water dish needs to be put away at least two hours before bedtime. This is going to minimize the chances of pee accidents in the middle of the night.
Normally, a pup can make it through the night without having to wake up to a call of nature for six-ish hours. When they do wake up in the middle of the night, don’t create a fuss about it. Your job is to quietly take them to their designated spot, have them go potty, and return them to their crate.
Step 4: Identifying Signals
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Establishing a routine is easy only when you monitor your dog closely. For that, you will have to be vigilant in observing the signs. Your puppy will adopt key behaviors when it’s time for it to potty. These may include:
- Sniffing
- Pawing
- Whining
- Fidgeting
- Moving around in circles
Sometimes a dog chewing on something will immediately leave the job and start showing distracted behavior. That’s your cue to take your pup out to the designated potty location. They might sniff around, circle around you, or even whine. Some dogs bark or walk back and forth to get your attention and signal that they need to go outside.
Do not linger or waste time and respond quickly to these signs. An urgent response from your side will help create a bond or an association between that feeling and the act of going to the designated spot.
Step 5: Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting is a part of any learning process. So naturally, there will be some problems that you will have to face. But what is important is how you will handle these problems. While puppy training, be prepared for occasional accidents to happen.
If the frequency of the piddling accidents is increasing, know that you need to change something. Look for underlying reasons. It is always a good idea to rule out any medical issues that may be causing your puppy to urinate more frequently than usual. If you suspect that there may be a medical problem, take your puppy to the vet for a checkup. UTIs are common in young puppies and lead to a lot of pee accidents in the house.
If there is no medical issue, just increase your vigilance at this point. Crating them more may also help in such situations. Another common problem during potty training is when your puppy likes to go on a particular surface such as carpet or tile. Make sure that you have them potty on the grass outside rather than on an outdoor patio to help prevent this issue.
Pro Advice: The soiled area in the house should be thoroughly cleaned so that no trace of urine smell is left. Puppies associate with the smell and get highly motivated to keep soiling in the same place. We recommend a product like Natures Miracle to clean up the scent.
If you’re struggling to potty train your puppy despite your best efforts, seek professional help. Sometimes, a puppy may have an underlying medical issue that makes it difficult for them to control its bladder or bowel movements. In other cases, they may require a more specialized approach to training.
At Suburban K9, we offer private in-home lessons that provide personalized guidance to help your puppy learn where and when to go potty in just 7 days. Our experienced trainers use a balanced approach that combines positive reinforcement with effective management techniques and fair discipline to teach your puppy good behavior.
During our in-home training classes, our expert trainers work closely with you and your puppy to understand their specific needs and develop a customized training plan that addresses their unique challenges. We use a range of techniques to encourage good behavior and help your puppy feel confident and comfortable while learning.