H ave you just got a puppy in your home? Are you thinking of how to potty train your puppy? If you are a puppy owner, it becomes important to make him potty trained at the right time. It will help in making you and your puppy a long and happy life together.

Few people opt for putting up their dogs who destroy rugs and flooring as they want to get rid of the mess that they have to clean after a long day at work. You must be aware of the potty training tips for puppy to make things easier. 

Therefore, the experts recommend doing some research in advance before you get a puppy in your home. You must know how to house train your puppy and teach him not to mess inside the new home. The best way to achieve this goal is to go through these potty training tips for dogs and stick to them.

Now, it’s time to create some rules for where your puppy should and should not mess up. You can also use a dog crate and puppy pad as the most useful tools to build a dog potty training plan.

Cute Puppy

How to Start Potty and Crate Training

It is very important to allow your pup to explore their crate. Never force him into his crate when you welcome your pup home. It is good to leave the crate’s door open and let him willingly explore, don’t forget to place soft bedding and some chew toys in the crate. These things will help your pup to feel comfortable.

Once you find that your pup is familiar with the crate, start with putting him for 10-15 minutes in the initial stage and gradually increase the time to get him used to the crate. Don’t miss the chance to give treats and plenty of praise when your pup enters the crate.

Mange Crate Time

Always keep in mind that the crate of your dog should never be a place of loneliness and punishment. You must keep the crate session for 2-4 hours only, not more than that. If you stay outside or work for a long day and cannot take your puppy out frequently, you either need to hire a dog walker or you have to take the help of a trusted neighbor to take your pup to eliminate while you are gone.

Build A Potty Training Game Plan

If you are looking for the best potty training tips for puppy, you require establishing a potty training game plan for the desired outcome. Once you introduce your puppy to your family and everything, it means now you are ready to train him. If you are going to use training pads, you can teach him to use these pads in these simple steps.

  • You have to choose a place that is not only easily accessible for the dog but must also be away from heavy foot traffic.
  • Make a habit of placing your dog on the pad frequently all through the day. It will help familiarize your dog with his potty spot.
  • Make sure to take your dog to the pad spot every time he is most likely to urinate. The most likely times to eliminate are early morning, after eating and drinking, as well as after playtime.
  • Once your dog eliminates on the pad, reward him with praise, treat, or even with his favorite toy.
  • Replace the used one with the new pad.

If you want to make your puppy learn to eliminate outside, then move these training pads closer to the door gradually by 1-2 feet every day. When you take the pad to the door, make sure to place it at a suitable place outside. Your dog will gradually know the right place to eliminate.

Game potty training tips for puppy

Forgive Potty Accidents

Being a puppy owner, you must know that a puppy with 8-16 weeks of age does not yet know how to hold it. If in case your puppy does an accident, remember not to scold him. Instead, you must take him to the right potty spot and encourage him to eliminate there. You must be aware of the signs when your puppy may be about to eliminate. These can be sniffing or circling.

How to Establish a Routine?

Just like human babies, puppies also perform their best on a regular schedule. This way, they will be able to identify the times to eat, times to play, as well as the times to eliminate. If we talk generally, the puppy has the ability to control his bladder one hour for each month of age. Like, if your puppy is three months old, he can hold it for about three hours. Make sure to take your puppy between these hours, or else there may be an accident.

  • You must take your puppy outside frequently. The best times are every two hours and immediately after your puppy wakes up, after eating and drinking, and during and after he plays.
  • You have to pick a bathroom spot outside, and whenever you want to take him to eliminate, take him to that spot. It will help if you use a specific word or phrase to make your puppy remember what to do. One of the best potty training tips for dogs is to take them out for a long walk or enjoy some playtime after he eases himself.
  • Don’t forget to reward your dog when he eliminates outdoor. You can give treats or even praise your dog. Remember not to do this before he is finished with this job. If you start doing this during the job, he may get distracted and forget to finish it.
  • Another potty training tips for puppy is to put them on a regular feeding schedule. If you make a schedule of everything, your puppy will come out on a schedule. You need to feed your puppy 3-4 times a day, and this completely depends on the age. If you feed your puppy at the same time, it will make him more likely to eliminate at consistent times. Thus, this tip will make house potty training for your puppy easier.
  • Another helpful tip is to pick up your puppy’s water bowl before 2-3 hours of bedtime. It will help in reducing the need to urinate during the night. Many puppies usually sleep for 6-7 hours without any need for a bathroom break. In case your puppy wakes up in the night, try not to make a big deal. It is so because otherwise, your puppy will think of it as playtime and will not go back to sleep. Take him out and then return him to bed.

Looking for best dog food brands out there? Best Dog Food Brands.

How To Keep Up With Potty Training?

Maintaining a consistent routine may work as one of the best potty training tips for puppy. It will be really helpful to pick a set time for your puppy’s meals, playtime, and exercise. This will help in making the potty times more predictable. Moreover, it is a great way to help your puppy grow habituated to a regular schedule.

potty training tips for puppy

Offer Plenty of Playtimes

Like humans, puppies also require plenty of mental and physical stimulation to live a healthy and happy life. Here, their playtime plays a significant role in building a solid bond with them. You can use interactive toys and allow your puppy to get off his crate occasionally. It is required to get their legs stretched.

Stick to Your Goal

If you want your dog to eliminate inside on potty training pads when he is entirely potty trained, this task must be relatively quick. If you want your dog to eliminate outside, it may take some time to make him learn to potty outside. Once your dog becomes habitual of eliminating indoors, it may become quite challenging to deter him from this habit. You must have the patience to make your dog eliminate outside soon.

What to Do When Mistakes Happen?

When your puppy is going through the potty training process, always keep in mind that accidents may happen anytime. You have to expect your puppy to be involved in a few accidents in the house. Here you have to do these things when an accident happens.

  • You have to immediately interrupt your puppy as soon as you catch him in the act.
  • Say ‘outside’, be sure not to scare him with your voice. Take him to the potty spot, praise him, and give him a treat once he finishes.
  • Always remember not to punish your puppy for a mess in the house. Simply let them know their right bathroom spot. If you scold him or give any punishment, it will make him afraid of eliminating in your presence. Giving punishment to your puppy can do more harm than good.
  • Don’t forget to clean the soiled area thoroughly. It is so because puppies have the habit of continuing soiling in the area, giving urine or feces-like smell.
mistakes potty training tips for puppy

It is very important to keep these potty training tips for puppy in mind to minimize the number of accidents. Never let your puppy eliminates frequently in the house. It will make him know where he is supposed to go. This will also help in easing the housetraining process.

How to Make Your Puppy Learn to Eliminate on a Walk?

We can’t ignore the fact that many times a young puppy refuses to eliminate when out on a walk. He immediately relieves himself as he gets back home. It is so because he has been taught to eliminate only at home, such as in the garden. Due to this habit, your puppy will wait and control his bladder and/or bowels until he returns home. 

In order to overcome this issue, you have to get up early in the morning and take your puppy on a long walk. Ensure to take him out as soon he wakes up or before he uses his potty training pad. You must not take him back home until he relieves himself. Even after these efforts, you are unsuccessful in making him eliminate outside. Take him immediately to the garden as soon as you return home; otherwise, he will eliminate indoor.

Walk for puppy

Don’t and Don’ts of Puppy Potty Training 

These dos and don’ts are some of the important potty training tips for dogs that you must keep in mind and try to incorporate everything in the process of potty training your puppy.

  • Never punish your puppy for an accident in a home. It will make your puppy being afraid of you.
  • Whenever you catch your puppy in the act, say ‘No’, ‘Outside’, or just clap loudly to make him understand that he is doing something unacceptable. Take him out gently with a collar or call him. Once he is finished, praise him or give him a small treat.
  • If you find a mess anywhere in your house, but you had not seen the act, never yell at your puppy. He is not capable enough to connect your angry behavior with the accident.
  • If you stay outside for a longer time with your puppy, it may help in controlling the accidents. It indicates that your puppy may need extra time to explore.
  • Make sure to clean the mess with an enzymatic cleaner instead of using the ammonia-based cleaner. It helps minimize odor and will not attract your puppy to the same spot.

Final Words

Starting a potty training your puppy early helps in making them understand the process and where to eliminate. Most puppies need 4-6 months to become completely housetrained. These potty training tips for puppy are good ideas to make your pup familiar with the potty spot. Don’t forget to let them know that they have done a great job. This way, you will be able to make a happier relationship with your puppy.