Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting and joyful experience! Potty training is a crucial part of their development and with the right approach, your puppy will learn quickly. Here are some essential tips to help you on this journey:

1. Consistency is Key

• Establish a Routine: Take your puppy outside to the same spot every time they need to go potty. This helps them associate the area with doing their business.
• Regular Intervals: Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, and before bedtime. Puppies usually need to go potty within 20 minutes of eating.
• There are many resources online to help you train your puppy to alert you that they need to go outside. Some are bells hanging from the door or barking at the door. These techniques will take time but are effective if you do t have a doggy door. We recommend a doggy door option if available and offer lots of praise and treats when they use it. Enjoy this puppy phase and bonding with your pet in a positive way!

2. Praise and Reward

• Positive Reinforcement: Praise your puppy and give them a treat immediately after they go potty outside. They want to please you and will quickly learn that going potty outside earns them rewards.

3. Patience and Love

• Be Patient: Accidents will happen. Puppies take time to understand where they should go potty. Patience and consistency are crucial.
• Show Love: Comfort your puppy and be gentle. Harsh punishments can create fear and anxiety, making the process harder for both of you.

4. Supervision and Quick Action

• Watch Closely: Keep an eye on your puppy, especially after meals and naps. If you see signs that they need to go (circling, sniffing), take them outside immediately.
• Quick Intervention: If your puppy starts to go potty in the house, pick them up quickly and take them outside. They will usually stop and can finish outside.

5. Crate Training

• Proper Use of Crate: Crates can be very effective for potty training. Puppies typically won’t go in their crate if it’s a reasonable amount of time for their age (e.g., a few hours during the day, longer at night).
• Gradual Introduction: Make sure your puppy is comfortable in the crate. It should be a positive, safe space for them.

6. Handling Accidents

• Immediate Clean-Up: If your puppy has an accident in the house, clean it immediately with a puppy cleaning and deodorizing spray to remove the scent and prevent repeat accidents in the same spot.
• Cover the Area: If they repeatedly choose the same spot, cover it if possible to discourage them from going there again.

7. Understanding Their Needs

• Know Their Limits: Young puppies can’t hold their bladder for long. A general rule is that they can hold it for their age in months plus one hour (e.g., a 3-month-old puppy can wait about 4 hours).

8. Feeding and Potty Timing

• After Meals: Take your puppy out within 20 minutes of eating. They will usually need to poop shortly after.
• Watch or Crate: If they don’t go right away, keep an eye on them or place them back in the crate. Take them out every 10 minutes until they go or you’re confident they won’t have an accident.

9. Dealing with Accidents

• Expect Accidents: Accidents do and will happen. It’s a normal part of the learning process. How you respond is crucial to your puppy’s training.
• Stay Calm: When an accident happens, stay calm and don’t scold your puppy. They don’t understand punishment and it can lead to fear and anxiety.
• Clean Thoroughly: Use a puppy cleaning and deodorizing spray to clean the area immediately. This helps remove the scent and prevents your puppy from returning to the same spot.
• Reinforce Training: After cleaning up, take your puppy outside to the designated potty area to reinforce where they should go.
• Training your puppy to let you know when they need to go outside can be made easier with a variety of methods available online. Popular options include hanging bells on the door for them to nudge or teaching them to bark at the door. While these techniques require patience, they can be very effective if a doggy door isn’t an option. If you do have a doggy door, encourage its use with plenty of praise and treats. Embrace this special phase of puppyhood as an opportunity to bond positively with your furry friend!

Remember:

Just like humans, puppies take time to get it right. Be consistent, patient, and loving, and your puppy will soon learn where they need to go. Happy training!