Potty training puppies

Potty training puppies is the process of teaching your dog to urinate and excrete in a designated area.  The best approach to potty training is focusing on accident prevention instead of punishing for mistakes.  Before reading more on about potty training puppies, keep in mind some important potty training facts: 1) Dogs like to be clean which means they will try their best not to pee in their sleeping area, 2) Puppies have limited bladder control, 3) Dogs have to pee and poo before they sleep, when they wake up and after meals and 4) Adult dogs can be potty trained too.

The secret in potty training puppies

The secret of potty training puppies is to establish a regular schedule for potty trips.  This helps you control the time he has to go and helps the puppy get used to a daily routine.  First thing about potty training is that you need a dog crate.  The crate should be just big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in.  If the dog crate is too big, your puppy will be able to use one end as the bathroom.  Buy a dog crate that is big enough for your dog when fully grown, but use dividers to reduce space to the appropriate size.  Anytime you are not playing with your puppy or not monitoring him, put him in the dog crate.  The puppy may not like it at first, but the dog crate is your dog’s shelter.  Put a sleeping pad and some toys in there and attach a water dripper on the side.  Give him a little treat every time he goes in the crate and never use the crate as a punishment; very soon your puppy will realize the crate is his home.  As long as you stick to a regular schedule that fits your dog’s biological needs, he will never use the dog crate as a bathroom. 

When to let him pee?

So when should you take your puppy to pee? Once again, the secret of potty training puppies is to establish a schedule. First thing in the morning, carry your puppy to his toilet before playing with him.  When you are done playing with him, feed him breakfast in the dog crate and don’t let him out.  After half an hour, carry your pup to his toilet to relief himself and you can play with him once more after his potty trip.  For the first 8 weeks, you’ll feed your puppy 3 or 4 times a day so repeat this process throughout the day. When it is bedtime, take him out for a final potty trip just before going to sleep. By following this routine, you will master potty training puppies after a few months.

How to handle accidents?

Of course there will be times when your puppy accidentally relieves himself during play time.  If you catch the puppy in the act, firmly yell “NO!” and immediately carry him to his toilet (even if this means carrying him as he is peeing).  Praise him after he finishes relieving himself at his toilet.  If you find out after the fact, don’t be too harsh because dogs cannot connect a past act with your present yelling. The focus of potty training puppies is prevention. Dogs like to pee in areas where they have peed at before. So in order to prevent further accidents, use dog urine remover or other dog urine clean products to neutralize the odor.

Potty training puppies is a long process, but be patient and stick to your schedule. Your puppy should be fully housebroken after 6 months.  Always remember to praise your pup for doing something right and never punish for mistakes.