How to Potty Train a Puppy

Key Takeaways

Establish a regular schedule for feeding and bathroom breaks, use consistent cues like “potty,” and reward your puppy with praise or treats to reinforce good behavior.
Dog pads are a great tool to help your puppy learn the concepts of the potty training while still learning bladder control.
Positive reinforcement teaches your puppy that they get rewarded for going to the bathroom outdoors, and it’s the key to successful potty training.

How to Potty Train a Puppy

Potty training should begin with developing a schedule that both you and your puppy can follow. You may also wish to use a repeatable phrase, such as “bathroom,” or “potty,” each time you take your dog to the elimination area, so they learn to associate that word with the action.

Keep in mind that sticking to a consistent schedule helps your pup understand the desired behaviors you are coaching them to learn—it also helps them anticipate the desired behavior you’re training them toward.

Tips for Potty Training Puppies

New puppies, especially those under 8 weeks of age, should be taken outside every one to two hours. This high frequency is because puppies 8 weeks and younger are still developing their bladder control and are more likely to have accidents in the house.

Of course accidents are a normal part of the puppy potty training process, so remember to be patient during this time.

Stick to a Feeding Schedule

Typically, it’s recommended to feed your puppy three meals a day. Feed your dog each meal at the same time each day.

They will naturally eliminate shortly after eating, so developing a consistent feeding schedule can avoid confusion and may help to prevent accidents in the house.

Use Puppy Pads During Potty Training

Puppy pads are a great way to allow your puppy to start to learn the concepts of potty training when they are still learning bladder control and need to urinate frequently. Puppy pads like Pet Life Unlimited’s dog pads are highly absorbent and odor-eliminating making them ideal for this part of potty training.

While you are training your puppy, the dog pads can serve as the spot in the house where they learn to go to when they need to eliminate.

You can place the pads near a back door, for example, to help your dog know this is where to go to when they have to pee. If you don’t get to your puppy in time to get them outside, the dog pad provides an easy clean-up and protects your floors in the process.

Keep in mind that your puppy may need to be shown this spot a few times before they begin to connect the dots, so have patience. If your puppy eats and naps in a playpen area, it’s a good idea to use dog pads as their flooring to catch any accidents and provide a soft surface for them.

Puppy pads are a great tool to consider when helping your dog learn how to potty outside. When potty training your puppy with puppy pads, be sure to:

Place the pads in any spot where you want your puppy to know it’s the place to go when they need to.
Make sure these areas are visible, if possible, so you can supervise and get your puppy outdoors. By a back or side door can be a great choice. Dog pads like Pet Life Unlimited’s Smart Prints offer various patterns that can elevate your space while keeping the pads visible.

As your puppy ages into their adult and senior years, you may deal with health issues where they need dog pads in their crate or somewhere readily available in house. Dog pads will come in handy during these times.

If your pup begins having urinary health issues like frequent UTIs, a dog pad that can monitor changes in a dog’s urine pH, like the Health Tracker Dog Pad, will alert you to changes in the urine through a pH-responsive dye directly on the pad.

A tool like this may be helpful to indicate if something is wrong and prompt you to reach out to your veterinarian for consultation.

Puppy pads are also great to use as liners for playpens and unique shaped spaces such as the Create-A-Size Dog Pad from Pet Life Unlimited to offer modular coverage for any type of flooring and space.

And when it comes to night coverage, dog pads like the Overnight Smart Print Pad are designed for all night coverage and can be used outside the crate or even playpens for your growing puppy.

Try Crate Training as an Aid to Potty Training

Crate training is a very effective tool to help potty train your puppy and also create a safe place for your puppy to call home. Creating such a spot can help puppies find a quiet place to eat and rest.

Dogs do not like to eliminate where they sleep or eat, so training your puppy to be comfortable in a crate is a great way to prevent them from having accidents inside.

The crate should never be used as punishment, but it should be used whenever your puppy cannot be directly supervised and for naptime and bedtime. It can also be helpful to feed puppies in their crates.

Choosing the correct dog crate size is extremely important, especially for large-breed dogs that grow rapidly during puppyhood.

Always Practice Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement teaches your puppy that they get rewarded for going to the bathroom outdoors, and it’s the key to successful potty training.

Each time your puppy eliminates outdoors, immediately reward them with verbal praise, treats, or a favorite toy. The reward should immediately follow the event so that your puppy makes a positive association with eliminating outside.

Recognize When Your Puppy Needs To Go Out

Constant supervision is another important part of successfully potty training a puppy. Learning the clues or signals that indicate your puppy needs to eliminate will prevent accidents in the house.

As you’re potty training your puppy, it’s important to monitor them so you know when they are headed to that designated spot so you can quickly get them outdoors.

Put Your Puppy on a Leash for Potty Breaks

Always put your puppy on a leash when you go outdoors for a potty break. This will help get them comfortable with being on a leash, and you will also be right there to reward the good behavior.

After giving a positive reward, play with your puppy outdoors for a few minutes to avoid creating a negative connection with returning indoors.

How Long Does It Take to Potty Train a Puppy?

Every puppy is different, and some understand potty training faster than others.

However, with consistency and following all the steps listed above, most puppies will be nearly fully house trained within a few months.

How To Potty Train a Puppy FAQs

How long can puppies hold their pee?

Generally, by the time your puppy is 4 to 6 months old they should have full control of their bladder. But even once your puppy has bladder control, they should still go outdoors several times a day for bathroom breaks. Keeping dog pads around the house and near doors will help with cleanup while they are still growing.

What is the fastest way to potty train a puppy?

If you follow a consistent schedule that includes supervising your puppy, providing dog pads in areas close to the door you want them to remember is “outside,” and ensuring your puppy is getting outdoors as often as possible, your puppy will become potty trained quickly. Remember that every dog is different, so be patient.

Can you potty train a puppy in seven days?

While it may be possible to train a puppy in seven days, every puppy is different and most require a little more time. If you provide a consistent schedule and positive reinforcement while your puppy is learning how to eliminate outside, your pup will learn at a speed that works for them. Remember to be patient and make it a positive experience.

This sponsored article was paid for by Pet Life Unlimited. All opinions within belong to Pet Life Unlimited.