Potty Training

One of the most dreaded processes of puppy training for most people. I actually do like potty training. Sure, it can get discouraging when they have accidents despite being on top of everything 24/7, but I absolutely love the puppy stage. They are just chubby, stumbling puppies ready to learning everything you try to teach. I enjoy most of puppy-hood, including this topic.

This can also be used for adult dogs.

First, I’m going to cover what helps and how to, then I’ll put a general timeline/schedule that you can follow. I’ll always recommend having at least a few days off of work when you get a new puppy to help them adjust. A few weeks is better, but I understand not everyone can do that. New puppies are going from a familiar home with their siblings and parents to a strange new area with different people and maybe new dogs. This can be scary.

Crate training while you potty train is a good idea, because throughout your dog’s life they will likely be put into a crate or kennel at the vet, groomer, in the car, or if they have to be on a plane. It makes more sense to prepare of those possibilities before you need it. Crating is also to protect the puppy from getting into things that can hurt him. Xpens are also an option. They provide an enclosed area but allow more room than a normal crate. I prefer crates, because I can control the size easier which helps the potty-training process. You can read about crate training in an earlier blog found here; https://idealcompaniondogtraining.com/2020/01/21/crate-training/.

While out of the crate or kennel I will either keep puppy on leash near me or closed off in the room that I am in. This allows me to be able to watch puppy the whole time so I can see the signs of needing to potty. If I can’t see puppy then I can’t catch them before it happens or in the act. Those signs are usually a lot of sniffing, they look like they are on a “mission”, circling and squatting. When I get too busy or distracted to watch puppy then I put them in the crate.

Having a specific “potty area” outside helps because all of the smells will be in one area making it easier for puppy to find a spot to potty and it’s quick to pick up poop in one general area. I’d rather not walk my entire yard looking for poop if I can help it, but that’s totally up to you. When you take them outside just stand in the potty area. I don’t walk around and follow the puppy. I just stand there and wait. The reason I do this is because I don’t want the process to be me walking around for 20 minutes while puppy learns that potty time means that they can do anything but potty. A lot of puppies figure out that the longer they take then the more they get to walk around and have fun before having to potty and go inside. So, to avoid that I just stand in one spot and wait. If I timed it right, then I know they have to potty. Another way to avoid the process becoming a lot of walking in order to potty is to separate “potty time” and “walking/play time”. If you only take the puppy outside for potty time then of course they want to spend more time out there, it’s the only chance they get to adventure.

The actual steps are super short. When you take puppy outside keep them on leash, go to the potty area, wait for them to potty and when they do reward puppy with a treat, pet them, and tell them they are a good pup. So, any time they potty outside you need to be sure to reward them some way that they enjoy.

If you catch puppy during the signs of looking for a potty area then calmly say no, walk to them and pick them up, put their leash on and take them outside to the area that you want them to potty. Reward once they potty.

If you catch them during the act of going potty inside, do not yell, throw things, etc., but calmly say no. Doing anything other than remaining calm can lead to them not trusting you or even trying to hide before they potty. They may become scared of going potty in front of you where you can see them. This will make potty training much more difficult, because you are involved in the entire process. They need to trust you. You may be able to pick them up and they will stop peeing or pooping, some puppies will just continue. Figure out which you can do. Take them out to finish if they didn’t. When you go to clean up the mess you can put it outside in the “potty area” for the smells to encourage them next time. Reward when they potty.

DO NOT rub their nose in the pee or poop.  This can lead to your puppy not trusting you and becoming shy. Not only is it disgusting but also counterproductive.

If you find pee or poop after the fact, do not discipline the puppy, AT ALL. They will not understand why they are in trouble. Clean up the mess and be better at watching and managing your puppy.

A lot of potty training is being proactive. You will want to take puppy out to potty after each of these things; after waking up in the morning or after a nap, eating, drinking, playing, training, taking them out of the crate, basically after any activity.

Daily schedule

7 A.M. Wake up and take puppy outside
7:05 Give food and give water
7:15 Potty break
7:20 Training session, whatever you want to work on
7:30 Potty break
7:35 Free play time. Let puppy drink
8:00 Potty break
8:05 Crate
Give a potty break every 30 minutes. Let puppy drink
10:00 Potty break
10:05 Leash puppy. Relax, do chores, cook, play, whatever. Keep them with you so you can watch. Potty every 30 minutes. Let puppy drink
12 P.M. Feed and give water
12:10 Potty break
12:15 Training session/ outside play time
12:25 Potty break
12:30 Take on walk
12:50 Crate. Potty every 30 minutes and let puppy drink.
4:00 Potty break
4:05 Training session/play
4:30 Potty break
4:35 Feed and give water
4:45 Potty break
4:50 Crate. Potty every 30 minutes and let puppy drink
7:00 Take on walk
7:30 Leash puppy inside and keep with you.
8:00 Potty break
8:05 Feed and let puppy drink
8:15 Block off the room you’re in and play/train/ watch puppy
9:00 Potty break
9:05 Training session/play
9:35 Potty break
9:40 Hangout/bond
9:55 Potty break
10:00 Crate for bed time
Take puppy out every 30 minutes – 2 hours throughout the night. Give water if needed.

Change this to fit your needs. Make time for PLENTY of socialization. If you have to work throughout the day and aren’t able to take puppy then try to come home for lunch or think about hiring someone/asking family to let them out throughout the day.

Add time between potty breaks as puppy ages. If they start having accidents reduce the time. Use your judgement.

As always, have fun with your puppy/dog!