Although puppy potty training can sometimes be challenging, it is not rocket science. Once you know the most effective methods of training your pup to “go” outside instead of on your new carpet, it is a matter of consistency.
Three of the most popular and successful puppy potty training techniques
Thanks to the AKC, here are their official descriptions of the top three techniques.
.Regardless of which of the three techniques you decide to use, there are some things that all three of them will require.
- Have the correct puppy potty training supplies on hand for the chosen technique.
- Maintain a consistent schedule of feeding, exercise, and going outside to eliminate. feedback. Doesn’t always have to be an edible treat.
- Reinforce your puppy for actually eliminating outside with some sort of positive
- Maintain an adequate level of exercise on a regular schedule. A healthy dog that can move well is better able to control its elimination.
- Provide an appropriate diet for the age and health of the pup.
- Plan the timing of eating and drinking to best accommodate taking the pup outside to “go”.
Let’s look at each of the three techniques in a little bit more depth.
Crates Rank High On This List
If you have never used a crate before, you might be hesitant to do so for the first time. However, let me assure you that being used correctly for the right purpose and in the right way is NEVER CRUEL and only beneficial!
There are many reasons for using a crate so you should help your dog to become accustomed to them. Dogs have always been den animals and if they feel insecure they will try to find a cave-like spot in which to hide. If they already have a crate it will be easier for you to potty train them.
The top five reasons for using a crate are:
- Safety
- Comfort
- Travel
- Vet Visits
- Convalescence
The rationale for using a crate to help potty train your pup
Dogs do not like to soil where they sleep. They prefer to avoid sleeping on a urine-soaked blanket whenever possible. Because of this, the size of the crate is very important. The dog needs to be ale to stand up, turn around and lie down. If there is too much room, they will try to eliminate in only one corner of the crate.
It is important for you to pay attention to the cues she will give you when she needs to “go”. She will likely scratch or whine as a signal. Let her out quickly! Once she loses control she will think it is ok for her to just “go” in the crate.
Although written for Goldens, this article really works for all breeds. https://www.totallygoldens.com/how-to-use-a-dog-crate-when-should-you-crate-your-dog/
Puppy Pads and Paper Training
Here is an easy link to puppy potty training pads for you to check out. Other puppy potty training equipment is also available via this link. There is no obligation to make a purchase and, for your convenience, you can even switch to other shopping areas while there. https://amzn.to/3ukm0xs
Teaching two different techniques to your poppy can be really confusing for them and is not the ideal solution. However, sometimes, it is a necessary evil and your situation requires that you do so. The reinforcement of two options is tricky and it is best to teach the pup to only “go” at certain spots outside.
A few examples of times where you must be creative in your pup’s potty options are as follows,
- Brutal winters or heavy storms
- A very young pup with a tiny bladder cannot control elimination all day
- Your work schedule keeps you away from home for very long periods of time each day
- You live in a high rise apartment with no backyard
These options give your pup an approved place to eliminate inside the house and are sometimes your only reasonable choice. Once a pup has physically matured to the point of being able to “hold it” long enough, you can move to outdoor training.
Believe it or not, I have known some dogs who actually “go” on the toilet! The first one that I actually saw do this on a consistent basis was a St. Bernard whose “mom” also taught her rabbit to “heal” and her turtle to “come” when called, I kid you not!
Design a Reasonable Schedule for Potty Training Your Puppy
It is very difficult to achieve success with potty training without a consistent schedule that fits your pup’s needs. Their tiny bladders and short GI tracts allow liquid and solids to go through them quickly. You need to time giving them food and drink to give them a chance to succeed.
Tips on how long a pup can “hold it”
Basically, a dog can hold their urine for the number of hours equal to its age in months. This works up to about 9 to 12 months.Of course, 9-12 hours is a long time for anyone, man or canine to hold their urine! Like people, all puppies are individuals, and their ability to “hold it’ varies drastically
Monitor daily events and your puppy’s habits when setting up a schedule. With very young puppies, you should expect to take the puppy out:
Basic rules for a puppy potty training schedule:
- The first and the last thing of the day
- After eating or drinking
- When waking from a nap
- After playing indoors
- After spending time in a crate
This could potentially keep you very busy. If you work outside of the home it can present a real problem if you do not have someone available to help you. Some people are lucky enough to have a great neighbor to help out while others may hire a dog walker or sitter. Occasionally, some people take their pups to work with them. I have known a few truckers whose pup travels with them!
Puppy potty training can be a challenge. Sometimes it poses problems that require real creativity to overcome. The good news is that it does not usually take very long to have that puppy trained! Once the training is behind you, life with a puppy will be so much more fun!
Three More Components of Potty Training Your Pup
Observation and Supervision
Although there is a range in which most pups at a given age can “hold it” you need to observe your pup to verify her ability. You want to set them up for success, not for failure. Easily excitable pups seem to have a harder time holding their urine. Some pups take a brief break from playtime to urinate and go right back to playing without losing a drop of urine.
Control the Diet
A pup’s digestive system is often very immature. A few feeding tips are:
- Both quantity and quality of their food are important. The food should be of the highest quality you can afford. Most importantly is that the food agrees with yohe timing ofur puppy.
- The timing for feeding your pup is important to his success in potty training.
- Frequent, small feedings are easier on their tummy as well as on their ability to delay defecating on schedule.
- The AKC has helpful information on puppy feeding schedules. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-feeding-fundamentals/
Praise
Always use positive rather than negative reinforcement when potty training your pup! Scolding them only serves to damage the bond between you and your pup. Praising her for doing the right thing goes a long way to build that bond even stronger! Scolding does the opposite! https://happymutt.org/what-scolding-does-to-your-dog/
Be generous with your praise. Whether it is giving them their favorite treat or scratching her behind her ears, do it with great enthusiasm, If you choose an edible treat, be sure it is small and easy for them to digest.
When they have an “assident” do not punish them or even make a big deal about cleaning it up. Do your best to get rid of the odor. If the smell of their urine remains in the carpet, it will signal to them that this is an appropriate place for them to repeat their action in the future. It is the same as marking their territory outside.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right? Observe your pup closely for indicators they are about to squat to defecate or to urinate (if female) or hike their leg in readiness for a male dog to urinate. Immediately remove them from the scene and take them outside to complete their business.
Housetraining Problems
As they say, “the best-laid plans of mice ad men….” often go awry. While applying these rules usually results in successful puppy potty training, sometimes, sometimes it doesn’t work as well as you would like.
If this is the case, you should first check with your vet to be sure there is no medical problem that needs to be addressed. if not, there may be a behavioral issue that needs to be addressed, Your vet should be able to recommend a trainer or a dog behavior specialist who can help you. This is rarely necessary but it can happen.
How Long Will It Take to Potty Train Your Pup?
This can vary significantly as there are many factors that play a role in determining how long it will take to train your pup. Some of the most important variables are:
- Age of pup
- Health of pup
- Personality of pup
- Their learning history
- Your methods of training
- The consistency of your training
Some pups will be fully trained after only a few days while others may take a few months. This is more often the case for pups that have had prior life experiences you would consider less than ideal. However, if you are both patient and consistent in your efforts, you will almost always succeed in potty training your pup.
A final helpful tip
Have you ever seen the forensic pathologist on a TV crime show rub Vick’s VapoRub under their nose to block out the smell in the morgue? This same product can also work to mask the odors left by your pup when she “goes” in the house!
- Thoroughly clean the area where the “accident” took place.
- Rub a small amount of the salve over the cleaned area where your pup marked their territory. Otherwise, they will repeatedly go back to the same spots.
In Conclusion, A Reminder of the Top Tips For Puppy Potty Training