How to House Train A Puppy

Arguably the most daunting parts about welcoming new puppies into your home are teaching and getting them into the habit of being house trained. But there are several things you can do to make this transition as easy as possible for you and your new pup, which our Pewaukee, WI, veterinarians have listed below.

Here they are in a nutshell:

1. Pick a designated area and stay consistent
2. Learn your particular pet’s cues when it’s time to go
3. Offer plenty of time outside to avoid accidents
4. Reward with plenty of treats and praise
5. Establish feeding routines
6. Remain patient and calm when accidents occur

Picking a Designated Spot, Learning Cues, And Giving Plenty of Time Outside

First, you will want to pick out a designated spot for your pet to relieve themselves (whether that is on a puppy pad (or “potty pad”/“pee pad”) inside of your home or a particular location in your yard). And once you pick that spot, stick to it.

If you’re going the outside route, you will want to guide your dog out on a leash and lead them towards that area and wait until they go to the bathroom. But if several minutes pass and nothing happens, you may want to go back inside and try later.

You will also want to pay particular attention to your individual canine’s cues or signs that they need to go. This may include pacing, sniffing, sitting near the back door, etc. Picking up on these will help you indicate when it’s time to go outside (and it will help avoid accidents). But as you’re learning these indicators, you should give your pooch ample opportunities to go outside—particularly, right away in the morning, after feeding and play times, and before bedtime.

For puppy pads, you should put them in the same exact spot(s) around your house every day.

Providing Treats and Praises and Establishing Routines

Regardless of your chosen method, you should always provide lots of treats and praises after your dog goes pee and poo in the spot you’ve chosen (but make sure it’s right after they relieve themselves, not after they come back inside).

Furthermore, you should establish strict feeding routines (when it comes to food and water*), so that your pup is used to going to the bathroom around the same time each day.

*-It’s important that you keep your dog hydrated, but just like us humans, the more they drink, the more they will need to use the restroom. You may also want to remove the water dish from their access around two hours before bedtime.

Remaining Patient

During the training phase, it’s essential that you try your best to always remain patient and understanding when your pet has accidents . . . Because it’s inevitable.

But when they occur, bring them to their designated area (on the puppy pad or in your yard) where you’d prefer for them to go. Then, clean up the accident (there’s no sense in yelling—they won’t understand what they did wrong), go about your day, and remind yourself that there will come a day when they are trained.

FAQs About Potting Training Puppies

Q: When Should I Potty Train My Puppy?

A: That’s really up to you (although you don’t want to wait too long). But typically, as long as they are old enough to live independently away from their mother, they are old enough to start the process of being house trained.

Q: If My Puppy Can Hold Their Urination Overnight, Does That Mean That They Can Also Hold It During the Eight Hours That I Am Gone During the Day?

A: Not necessarily. The reason they can hold their bladder during the night is because they are not taking in liquids during that time (as they are likely asleep).

Q: If My Older Dog is Housebroken, Will My New Puppy Learn How to Be the Same Just by Watching Them?

A: Yes and no. Puppies tend to mimic the behavior of older dogs around them, but that’s not always the case. So, your intervention will be needed to make sure that your puppy learns to pee outside or on puppy pads.

Q: When I Was Growing Up, My Parents Would Always Rub My Dog’s Nose in the Excrement When They Had an Accident. Is That Recommended Today?

A: No. This is a form of punishment that you want to avoid because your puppy won’t understand why it’s happening. So, the action isn’t actually correcting the undesirable behavior.

Ask Our Pewaukee, WI, Vets If You Have Questions About Training Your Puppy

By following the above guidelines, your puppy should be good to go when it comes to training. If you do have any questions or concerns, be sure to let our Pewaukee, WI, vets know during your puppy’s next visit. To schedule your puppy’s exam, give our animal hospital a call at (262) 347-0787.