Potty Training Puppy | How much do you love your new puppy? Enough to spend the time and energy to teach him how to use the bathroom outside instead of in your house? If you answered yes, great! That’s one of the most important first steps you can take for a long, happy life together. To potty train, your puppy, establish a routine that allows him to go outside frequently, and pick a bathroom spot outside that he knows well and can easily get to when he needs to go. With those basics out of the way, learn about potty training tips for puppies so you can keep your little pooch clean and happy.
Step 1: Determine why your dog is urinating
Before you can potty train your puppy, you need to determine why they’re urinating in the first place. There are a few reasons puppies might urinate indoors, including excitement, anxiety, or illness. If your puppy is urinating due to excitement or anxiety, you’ll need to work on helping them feel more comfortable in their environment. If they’re urinating due to illness, you’ll need to take them to the vet for treatment. Once you’ve determined the cause of your dog’s behavior, it will be easier to change it!
Step 2: Choose the right spot
Where you take your puppy to potty train can be just as important as when you take them. You want to pick a spot that is close to where they eat and sleep so they can make the connection between going potty and being in their designated area. You also want to avoid taking them to places where there are a lot of people or other animals as this can be overwhelming and cause accidents. A good rule of thumb is to choose a spot that is at least 10 feet away from any door or other source of traffic.
There should also be an appropriate surface for them to do their business on – grass, dirt, sand – not concrete. And finally, choose a spot that has been free of human activity for a while. Soil releases pheromones which help dogs recognize these spots as theirs but it’s hard for them to tell if humans have been around lately. When training puppies how to potty outside, it’s important that you pay attention to how often they need access outdoors and what time of day works best for them. Some breeds need more frequent trips outside than others because some simply cannot hold it as long (like smaller breeds).
Step 3: Establish a routine
A regular potty training routine will help your puppy understand when it’s time to go. Start by taking him outside first thing in the morning, as well as after every meal. Also take him out after play sessions, and before bedtime. If possible, take him out every hour or so to prevent accidents. Try not to rely on a word command like go potty since he may not know what you’re asking at this point. Instead, use an action command like outside! It’s important that he starts going outdoors early on so that you can work with his natural instincts later on.
A successful strategy is setting up a bathroom spot near the door where you’ll be taking him out frequently. Trainers recommend cleaning up messes quickly because dogs learn faster when they can associate good things with their bathroom spot. And don’t forget – even though he’ll be little now, big dogs are still big dogs! Be prepared for large messes and frequent cleanup when establishing your puppy’s bathroom habits from day one.
Step 4: How often should I let my dog out?
The frequency of potty breaks will depend on your puppy’s age, size, and level of activity. A good rule of thumb is to take your puppy out every two hours during the day. If your puppy is very young or small, you may need to take him out more often. And if he’s older or less active, he may be able to hold it for longer periods of time. Generally speaking, a well-hydrated dog should not have to go more than four hours without going outside.
Step 5: Consistency rules!
Potty training your puppy requires consistency above all else. That means taking your puppy to the same spot outside every time they need to go. It also means keeping a close eye on them at all times, especially during the early stages of training. Plus, establishing a regular routine will help both you and your puppy know when it’s time to go outside. When it’s time for dinner, potty break! When it’s bedtime, potty break! When it’s nap time, potty break! Remember that even adults need to use the bathroom regularly. And don’t forget – puppies have tiny bladders too!
Step 6 – Supervise, supervise, supervise!
The key to success is supervision. You must be diligent in watching for signs that your puppy needs to potty and take him outside immediately. A good rule of thumb is to take him out every 30 minutes to 1 hour. Put him on a leash so he doesn’t wander off and get into trouble. Take him to the same spot each time and praise him lavishly when he goes potty in the right place.
When you notice that he’s about to go potty (signs include sniffing around, circling), quickly say outside! and take him outside before it’s too late. Make sure there are no distractions outside like other animals or people, which might make it difficult for your pup to concentrate on his business. Bring an old towel with you if you think he’ll need help cleaning up after himself!
Conclusion
The key to potty training success is Consistency. You must be consistent with both the timing of your puppy’s outings as well as the location. By establishing a regular routine, you will help your puppy learn that there are specific times for pottying. In addition, picking one spot outside will help your puppy understand that this is where he is supposed to go.
