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Knowing how to potty train your puppy using the most effective methods is very important in raising a happy, healthy dog. Potty training may be equally as important as early socialization.
If not done correctly you might be in for a long, unhappy, and messy puppyhood!
Here are 8 of the most important and successful tips to potty train your puppy.
Do your best to follow them as closely as possible, stay focused, and stay positive.
Most of all be consistent and keep your puppy happy.
How to Potty Train Your Puppy-Tip #1
You must decide to be fully committed and take total responsibility.
Properly raising and training a puppy is not a part-time thing. It requires your full attention for however long it takes.
Realize that from the moment you bring him home a new puppy is 100% dependent on you for not only feeding and nutrition but also for learning all of the things that he needs to know.
You will have to be present mentally and physically at all times to supervise his activities, keep him out of trouble, and guide his learning in the right direction.
You might feel frustrated at times but you need to trust that all will work out and you will be successful if you stay with it and do not give up.
Don’t let occasional accidents or setbacks discourage you, instead use them to become even more committed to your puppy’s training.
How to Potty Train Your Puppy-Tip #2
Learn how to correctly use a crate.
The right-sized crate, when introduced properly, will become your puppy’s favorite place to be (next to your lap, of course!) and will offer him a safe, comfortable spot to nap and hang out.
A crate should never be a punishment but rather a “happy place” to be when you just can’t be eyes-on every minute.
The crate will also be your best tool to give him a reason to hold it while he is inside as well as being valuable in timing an outdoor potty break.
One of the very most important things to know about using a crate successfully is this: Whenever the puppy is not in the crate, don’t take your eyes off of him, not even for one second!
Puppies generally do not like to potty in their own small sleeping area. But you must be sure to take them out in a timely manner so they do not give up and potty in the crate anyway because they just cannot hold it any longer.
Once they learn to potty in the crate you will have a problem reestablishing their desire to be clean.
What size crate should I get?
To help potty train your puppy the crate should be large enough for him to feel comfortable but no larger. You do not want it to be large enough to allow him to get far enough away from his sleeping spot that he will feel like pottying.
Get a crate that’s big enough to allow your dog to stand up and turn around inside it.
A good rule of thumb is to measure the dog’s length from nose to tail and his height from paws to torso, and then add 3-5 inches to get the ideal crate height and length dimensions.
All the crates on Chewy have sizing charts to help you pick the perfect one.
Consider one with a movable partition that can grow in size with him.
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Potty Training tips from Milligan Valley K9 Academy
Thank you Milligan Valley K9 Academy
How to Potty Train Your Puppy-Tip #3
Develop a schedule and be consistent.
If a puppy never has a chance to potty inside, he will never learn to potty inside.
To start you should plan to take him outside every thirty minutes to give him a chance to potty outside.
In addition to this schedule, there are certain times when nature seems to call a little more than at other times.
Be sure to take puppies outside:
- Right after they wake from a nap, or
- Right after coming out of his crate
- First thing every morning
- Shortly after eating
- Shortly after drinking
- After a few minutes of play
As he gets older the time that he can hold it will gradually increase.
The most important thing about keeping a schedule is to be sure that the instant nature calls he is standing outside in the grass right where he is to go potty.
What about overnight?
If you remove the water dish several hours before bedtime, he should be able to go 6 or 7 hours without having to go out.
Have his crate close enough to your bed that you will be able to hear any rustling around in the middle of the night.
When you do, simply get up and take him out as usual. Except, at night, do not make a big deal about it.
No playing, just quietly go out and come back in and put him back into the crate. You can do this without ever saying a word.
How to Potty Train Your Puppy-Tip #4
Always take him outside to the same spot each time.
Going to the same spot each time will help build a familiar pattern as well as allow him to smell the spot where he eliminated last time. This will encourage him to repeat that action over and over.
Be sure that you use a leash when you take him out so you can easily direct him to the right spot. This will help you to quietly hold him in that area to slow him down and allow nature to take over.
After he potties don’t rush right back inside. Just kind of hang out in that area to see if he is really through. Sometimes there is more to come, and you definitely don’t want to be back in the house when it does.
When you are fairly sure he is finished, now is a good time to play a little. Make it a happy time so he will look forward to it next time.
How to Potty Train Your Puppy-Tip #5
Develop a strict feeding schedule.
Based on your puppy’s age and size your veterinarian will be able to give advice on how much and how often you should feed. That will usually be 3 or 4 times per day, and at the exact same time every day.
The smaller and younger he is, the less he should eat at one time.
Whatever schedule you come up with, stick to it. If the puppy eats on a regular schedule, chances are he will also poop on a regular schedule. He should never be fed free choice.
To help potty train your puppy, it is important to remove access to his water about 2 or 3 hours before bedtime. This will help him make it through the night without having to go outside.
How to Potty Train Your Puppy-Tip #6
Never punish your puppy for having an accident.
The old thought of rubbing his nose in it is not only outdated and ridiculous but totally counterproductive. Some puppies will pee because of excitement or fear. You do not want to add to that and actually become the reason for the accidents.
Plus, he will never make a connection between punishment and pottying in the wrong place.
When you see him showing one of the signs that he is about to go, simply pick him up and head outside to the potty spot. When he does go, make him feel good about it and then just carry on.
It is important to know that you cannot teach him to NOT go in the house.
What you CAN do is help him create a preference for going outside by using his innate desire to be clean.
How to Potty Train Your Puppy-Tip #7
Know the signs.
When a puppy is just about ready to squat on your floor, he will exhibit a few signs that you should be aware of.
First of all, he will change his focus off of whatever he was doing. If he was playing with something, all of a sudden he will change and seem disinterested in it.
If he was interacting with you he may turn away and walk off.
You will see him wandering around as if looking for something. Finally, he will start to walk in a circle smelling the floor or carpet.
If you are watching closely by now you should have picked him up and headed to the door. If not, it may already be too late.
How to Potty Train Your Puppy-Tip #8
Clean up accident spots quickly and completely.
Smelling a spot that has already been urinated on is a big enticement for the puppy to go again in that exact spot.
You should always clean up any spots as quickly and completely as possible.
Use clean dry towels to soak and pat up as much of the mess as possible. Pressing down with your foot will help draw any liquid out of the carpet.
You will also want to use special products to break down and eliminate the smell.
Normal household cleaning products will not remove the residual odors!
Many people recommend either a spray containing Hydrogen Peroxide or a special Enzyme product. Either of these will help remove the smell and help potty train your puppy.
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