How to Train Your Puppy Not to Go to the Restroom Inside the House

It's what every puppy owner dreads finding first thing in the morning or after a trip to the store: Your puppy has had another accident. It can try an owner's patience, but remember that your puppy doesn't know any better. It is up to you to teach it where it can go potty, and you can do this by using positive reinforcement techniques.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
  • Leash
  • Collar
  • Pet stain cleaner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a crate for your puppy. Dogs don't like to go potty where they sleep, and a crate can help you avoid messes in the house when you have to leave. Buy a crate that is large enough for your dog to stand, turn around and lie down in when it is a full-grown adult. Use a crate divider to limit your puppy's space so that it can't go to the bathroom in one corner and sleep in another.

    • 2

      Tuck treats inside the crate for your puppy to find, and praise it for going inside on its own. Don't close the door until your puppy is used to the crate. Never use the crate to punish your puppy. Going inside should always be a positive experience. Don't leave your puppy locked up for more than a few hours at a time. If you will be gone longer, hire a dog walker or ask a friend to come over and let the puppy out to go potty.

    • 3

      Walk your puppy on a leash to a designated bathroom spot in the yard. Tell your puppy to go potty, and praise it excitedly when it does. Keep treats in your pocket so that you can reward it with a snack immediately. If your puppy likes to play, you can also reward it be letting it off the leash (after all business is finished) and playing a game for a few minutes.

    • 4

      If you catch your puppy going potty inside the house, interrupt it by clapping or whistling. Don't punish it (especially if you found the mess after the fact), or you risk making your puppy afraid to go potty in your presence. This will only make house training more difficult. Instead, hurry outside with your puppy and encourage it to go potty. If it does finish its business in the yard, reward it with a treat and praise.

    • 5

      Take your puppy outside every two or three hours and give it a chance to go potty. It won't need to go as frequently as it gets older, but giving your pup plenty of chances to go potty in the correct place will help you reinforce your training and speed up the process. Always praise and reward your puppy for going in the right place.

    • 6

      Clean up messes with a pet stain cleaner that eliminates the pheromones in the feces and urine. Regular cleaners might eliminate the smell for you, but your puppy's nose can still detect it. If the smell lingers, your puppy will be more likely to use that spot again.