Housebreaking a puppy can be stressful, but it’s also a great bonding experience for you and your pup. Just remember to be patient during this process. It’s harder for your puppy than it is for you (even though you’re the one cleaning up the mess). Follow these tips, and you’re sure to find success – together!
When Should You Start Potty Training Your Puppy?
The best time to begin housetraining a puppy is when your new furry friend is aged between 12 and 16 weeks. By then, he or she should have good bowel and bladder control to hold on until you’re there to take them outside to go.
Your challenge may be greater if your puppy is older than 12 weeks and has become accustomed to relieving themselves in a cage or a run adjacent to the kennel. In this case, you’ll need to totally change your pup’s behavior by using a reward, encouragement, patience, and plenty of repetition.
How To Potty Train A Puppy: 7 Steps
Whether you are potty training a 12-week-old puppy or an adult. Learning how to housebreak a puppy can be especially challenging, but it’s rewarding in the end. The best way to house-train a puppy is to start when they are 12 to 16 weeks old. If you follow these steps for potty training puppies correctly, you could have a house-trained pup in no time. Want to know how to potty train your puppy? Here are a few puppy potty training tips to help you out:
- Have a regular feeding schedule for your puppy.
- Take your puppy out first thing in the morning and then every 30 to 60 minutes. (Smaller pups have smaller bladders and need more frequent breaks.)
- Take them outside for potty breaks after meals, naps, and before bed.
- Take them to the same spot every time. (The scent will help remind them where to go potty.)
- Stay outside with your pup while you’re trying to house-train them. While your puppy is doing his or her business, use words that he or she associates with going to the bathroom. For example, you could say, “Potty,” “Go pee. That’s a good dog,” or something similar.
- After your puppy goes potty, give him or her lots of attention and show them or they did a great job. You can give them a treat, cuddles, or time with a special toy as a reward.
- Consider a potty training spray.
How To Potty Train A Puppy Infographic
How Long Will Potty Training A Puppy Take?
So, how long does it take to potty train a puppy? It will probably take at least four to eight weeks to get into a routine with potty training, but it may take four to six months for the process to be complete. It all depends on the dog. The more consistent you are, the quicker it will go.
Your dog’s breed can be influential in housetraining, and any regimen should be accompanied by basic obedience lessons. Small breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolism than larger pups. That means these pups will need more frequent bathroom breaks. Never ask a puppy or dog to wait too long between bathroom breaks. That will cause your dog to become stressed and upset if your pet can’t wait and has an accident.
Our Personal Experience Housebreaking A Puppy
I have potty trained several puppies of both large and small breeds. The smaller breeds end up taking longer and getting away with more than my larger breeds. My Toy Chihuahua Cookie, for example, weighed just one pound when I got her. Because she was so small and cute, it was very easy to give her a free pass on potty accidents in the house.
I had to be very careful not to let her simply pee and poop wherever she wanted. In order to stop the accidents, I had to set Cookie on a strict potty schedule. I took her out every two hours, whether she had to go or not. After several weeks, I was able to see a difference in the number of accidents. She also enjoyed the extra outdoor playtime that came with going out to potty so regularly.
–Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Dog Parent, Canine Journal Researh & Writing
What If My House Trained Puppy Has An Accident?
So you think you’ve got your puppy house trained, but then they have an accident. There are a few reasons this might occur:
- Too Young – Dogs younger than 12 weeks haven’t developed bladder or bowel control yet.
- House Training Not Complete – They aren’t quite there yet and may not know how to tell you that they need to go out.
- Regressing Is Real – Some puppies fall back in their progress, so remember to be patient with them.
Puppyhood Is The Best Time To Consider Pet Insurance
As a puppy, your dog has probably not shown any significant health concerns. Since pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, the younger your dog is when you sign up, the better coverage you’ll receive throughout their lifetime. Further, pet insurance can help support you financially during the unpredictable puppy years when dogs are more likely to chew on things they shouldn’t and run into dangerous situations. Check out our Pet Insurance 101 guide to learn more and determine whether pet insurance is worth it for your puppy, or get free quotes instantly below.
Puppy Potty Training Don’ts
Here are some things that you absolutely must not do when housetraining your puppy.
- Never punish your puppy if he or she has an accident. That will make your puppy upset and afraid of you, and you could only worsen the problem. It can also cause them to pee at your feet and become more nervous.
- If you find your puppy doing the dirty deed, clap loudly or say “Hey!” in a stern voice. That will let your puppy know that they’ve done something unacceptable. Take your puppy outside immediately to finish, and then reward them with praise or a small treat.
- If you come across the evidence but didn’t catch your puppy in the act, don’t get cross or begin yelling at your pet. A puppy doesn’t have the mental capacity to connect an earlier event with your displeasure.
- When you take your puppy outside to relieve himself, don’t be in too much of a rush to come back inside. Puppies typically enjoy sniffing around and exploring, and coming back indoors too soon could result in an accident.
What About Housetraining Adult Dogs?
If you take on an adult dog from a rescue center, you may find that they are not housetrained. There are many reasons why this may happen, and it can be intimidating to have an adult or senior dog that is not housebroken. However, housetraining an adult dog is often a much more straightforward process than toilet training a young puppy.
When compared with a puppy, an adult dog has a greater capacity to “wait” for several hours before he has to go to the bathroom. That said, you should never force your dog to wait for too long.
Make sure that you allow your dog lots of opportunities to learn the rules of what constitutes acceptable toileting by going outside often. Choose a latrine area outside and always be consistent in taking the dog to that particular spot. Shower your pup with praise and treats when he or she goes potty in the right place.
An upset tummy can lead to toileting accidents that are distressing for your dog and you. Under these circumstances, it’s a good idea to keep your dog confined to a crate when you’re not around, just in case they can’t wait. Using puppy training pads, trays, or litter boxes to protect the bedding in your dog’s crate is a good idea, too.
How To Stop Your Dog From Peeing Inside (Video)
House training a puppy is one thing, but what if your dog is peeing inside? This video with Dr. Lera from Heron Lakes Animal Hospital talks about why your pup might be peeing inside and how to fix it.
Why Is It So Important To Clean Up Properly?
Remember that your dog has a favorite toileting area outside your home. They find that same place every time he or she goes outside by using a keen sense of smell. So, if your pet urinates inside your home, he will identify that spot as a new place to relieve himself, and he will most likely return to the same area.
That’s why it’s so important that you remove all traces of your dog’s urine from any area that you don’t want them to use as a toilet.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is a lot to learn about housebreaking a puppy. I’ve answered some common questions below. If I didn’t get to yours, or you have an experience to share, just let me know in the comments.
Can I Use A Crate To Housebreak My Puppy?
As a short-term measure, you can use a crate to housetrain your puppy. That will give you the chance to keep an eye on him for signs that he needs to go out. Crate training will also teach your pet that they need to hold it until you open the crate and take them outside to the toilet area.
How Can I Get Dog Pee Smell Out Of My Carpet?
Try to soak up as much of the pee as you can as soon as possible. Then, wash the area with a small amount of warm water and dish soap. Soak up the water, and then sprinkle baking soda on the spot. Let that sit overnight. In the morning, you can spray the area with distilled white vinegar. Rinse with cold water. Once dry, vacuum the carpet to remove any residue left behind. If you need more help, or that doesn’t work, learn more in our guide on How To Get Dog Pee Smell Out Of Carpet.
How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Be Fully Potty Trained?
In general, it takes between four and six months to fully housetrain a puppy. However, some pups can take up to one year to learn what’s expected of them. Don’t worry if you have a few setbacks. Keep your approach consistent, and be patient; you’ll get there in the end!
Preparing To Bring Your Puppy Home
Thinking about the best way to potty train your puppy is only one way to prepare for bringing your puppy home. You just gained a child (we like to think of our pets as family), and you may need some tips to know what to expect from them and what you should do to provide a safe environment. Our experts advise bringing a puppy home to learn what you need first and other essential need-to-knows.
Other Types Of Training For Your Puppy
Now, you know how to housebreak a puppy, but what about their other training needs? Lots of new pet parents need to know how to crate-train their puppies. You might also be wondering about obedience training. Our experts have you covered with excellent info on online training courses and finding the right trainer for the best treats for training and training collars.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Kimberly has written about various dog-related topics, such as pet insurance, health conditions, treats, training, and more. Kimberly has researched many dog health issues and has first-hand experience potty training her dogs and cleaning up accidents. She consulted with other Canine Journal team members to learn more about their experiences potty training dogs. Kimberly spent over 6 hours researching and writing this article.
