How to Potty Train a Puppy

Potty training a puppy requires lots of patience and positive reinforcement.

How do you Housebreak a Puppy ?

By lavishing attention on him and offering special treats when he does something "right"

Welcome to our page on how to potty train a puppy.....
and congratulations!

Here are the tried and true tips on potty training a puppy. Much of the time you might feel like you're the one being trained rather than the puppy.

In the beginning your puppy will not have the slightest clue as to what you are up to. Be patient and positive.

There are basically 2 training methods on how to potty train a puppy and you'll most likely use a combination of the two.

• Puppy pad training or paper training a puppy



• Crate training or outdoor training

Ultimately you want your puppy to go outside to void. The task of potty training a puppy is usually not reliably complete 'til the pup reaches 6 months of age.

How to Potty Train a Puppy

• Start by placing newspaper or other absorbent paper over the entire floor of the room where puppy will live. Remove any puppy hazards such as unstable furniture and electrical cords.The papers are for when the puppy can't get outside. Ideally he'll be taken outside every 30 minutes.



• Buy a snug, secure crate for the puppy to sleep in (Place toys and treats inside to get puppy's attention). Place the crate in puppy's room. This room is where puppy will spend it's time when you are sleeping or away or otherwise unable to supervise.



• Encourage the puppy to sleep in the crate. Dogs are den animals and are naturally reluctant to void in their sleeping area. You'll have to get up in the night with him when he becomes restless and take him outside (carry him so he doesn't soil the floor) and wait for him to do his business. First thing in the morning do the same thing. Stay with the pup til he voids then lavish praise on him and offer a treat. (The younger the puppy the more frequently you'll need to get up.)



• Use high quality dog food, their formulas contain higher nutrition and less bulk and fillers. More nutrition means the puppy needs less of the food and lower bulk means that there's less waste produced. Select best quality dry puppy food and stay with the same brand. Switching foods often causes diarrhea which will make it impossible for your puppy to succeed at potty training.




A young puppy has no control over (or desire to control) his bladder or bowels. The trick to potty training a puppy is to make him want to do it through a reward system.









• Clean and deodorize accidents as promptly as possible. The puppy will often return to the scent at a particular area to void, deodorize using a formula designed for dog scent.



• Eventually the puppy will show a preference for certain areas. Slowly begin removing paper from the areas that the puppy no longer uses. Replace them if the pup goes back to that area.



• The puppy will become accustomed to voiding on paper and should reach a point where he seeks out his spot when the need arises.



• Once the puppy uses his paper reliably you can slowly (inch by inch) begin moving his paper to a location of your choosing.




Take the puppy outside frequently to play and void. Lavishly praise the puppy whenever he performs a behavior that you want to encourage (like peeing and pooping outside). Spend as much time outdoors as possible so that your puppy learns prefer the outdoors as his toilet. (Don't forget to keep a plastic bag with you so you can pick up after your dog).





• When you're home with your puppy allow him to wander while you keep a close eye on him. Take the puppy outside every 30 minutes, after play sessions, after he eats or drinks and as soon as he wakes from a nap.
  Take notice of his behaviors when he's looking for a place to void (sniffing, circling, bum tucking).
  When he exhibits these behaviors try to "catch him in the act" and loudly scold the puppy saying "no". Pick him up and take him outside (or to his paper). ~ Do not strike the pup or rub his nose in his leavings. Hitting is not how to potty train a puppy. It won't help and can make things worse.






• You'll get the best results by rewarding your puppy when he does what you want him to do rather than punishing what you don't want him to do.



• Expect to move "one step forward and two steps back" at times.

The more time you spend in contact with the puppy the more opportunity you'll have to reward puppy when he does what you want him to do and the faster he'll be housebroken. Using positive reinforcement is how to potty train a puppy.

As with all training ~ Be Consistent. Pet behavior specialists can help with persistent problems.

Here are some puppy products we think you'll like.

Your puppy's crate can fit in beautifully with your decor. No need to hide a crate in the porch or hallway where your puppy's all alone. If you put a top on this one it can even serve as a side table. For a closer look click on the picture.

Puppysmarts Training DVD Potty & Crate training (1 DVD) This short, simple and easy-to-follow video lesson shows you step by step how to introduce your puppy to a crate and the proper use of crates in crate training or housetraining. We give you numerous tips on how to successfully housetrain your puppy. Plus as a bonus, we also teach you two methods to let your dog tell you when he or she needs to go outside by ringing a bell or to speak. Housetraining a puppy can be very frustrating for owners. Combining crate training with your housetraining efforts makes the process easier on the puppy and the owner! Controlling your dog's environment is essential to housetraining success.

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