Tips for Potty Training Puppies

1. Take Your Puppy Out Often

New puppies, especially those under 12 weeks of age, should be taken outside every one to two hours. This high frequency is because puppies 12 weeks and younger are still developing their bladder control and are more likely to have accidents in the house. It’s also a good habit to take your puppy out after sleeping, playing, eating, or drinking.

2. Stick to a Feeding Schedule

Typically, it’s recommended to feed your puppy three meals a day. Feed your dog each meal at the same time each day. They will naturally eliminate shortly after eating, so developing a consistent feeding schedule can avoid confusion and accidents in the house.

3. Use Crate Training as an Aid to Potty Training

Crate training is a very effective tool to help not only with potty training your puppy, but also with creating a safe place for your puppy to call home. Dogs are naturally den animals, so their instincts will tell them to find a quiet place to eat and rest.

Dogs do not like to eliminate where they sleep or eat, so training your puppy to be comfortable in a crate is a great way to prevent them from having accidents inside. The crate should never be used as punishment, but it should be used whenever your puppy cannot be directly supervised, and for naptime and bedtime.

Choosing the correct crate size is extremely important, especially for large-breed dogs that grow rapidly during puppyhood. Keep in mind that your puppy should only have enough room to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably—any more room will give your dog room to rest in one corner and pee or poop in the other. Many crates come with a divider that can be moved as your puppy grows.

4. Always Practice Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement teaches your puppy that they get rewarded for going to the bathroom outside, and it’s the key to successful potty training.

Each time your puppy eliminates outside, immediately reward them with verbal praise, treats, or a favorite toy. The reward should immediately follow the event so that your puppy makes a positive association with eliminating outside.

5. Recognize When Your Puppy Needs to Go Out

Constant supervision is another important part of successful potty training a puppy. Learning the clues or signals that indicate your puppy needs to eliminate will prevent unnecessary accidents in the house. Most dogs will sniff, make circles, wander off, whine, or sit by the door to indicate they need to go to the bathroom.

6. Put Your Puppy on a Leash for Potty Breaks

You should always put your puppy on a leash when you go outside for a potty break. This will not only help get them comfortable with being on a leash, but you will also be right there to reward the good behavior. After giving a positive reward, play with your puppy outside for a few minutes to avoid creating a negative connection with returning inside.