The Best Ways to Potty Train a Puppy

Getting a new puppy can be an exciting time in any pet owner's life. However, many puppies struggle with potty training and can make lots of messes in your house prior to being housebroken. Although potty training can be a challenge at times, with a little patience and the use of a few proven potty training techniques, you can have your dog potty trained in no time.

  1. Crate Training

    • One of the best ways to housebreak a puppy is by using a crate. When you leave your puppy alone in the house, always put him inside a crate. This crate should be large enough for the puppy to stand up and turn around in. Try to make the crate a positive place by filling it with toys and comfortable bedding. Your puppy should also sleep in this crate. Since dogs don't like to defecate in the same area they sleep in, they will generally not relieve themselves in their crate. This will prevent messes in the house and teach puppies that there are certain times and places they should use the bathroom.

    Positive Reinforcement

    • When a puppy relieves himself inside the house, a natural reaction is to provide negative reinforcement for his accident. However, many owners don't realize that positive reinforcement is actually essential to potty training your puppy. When your dog goes to the bathroom outside in the correct place, always provide him with affection and positive reinforcement. This will teach your dog that going to the bathroom in the right place is a good thing that will get praise from their owner.

    Using a Timer

    • A timer is an important tool to use when first house training your puppy. Set a timer in your home to go off every hour or half hour. Every time the timer goes off, take your puppy outside and to a spot you want him to use to relieve himself, whether he needs to go or not. If he does use the restroom, reward him for doing so. This will help him understand that there is a place to use the restroom and he will be less likely to be confused when he gets reprimanded for going in the house.

    Keeping a Schedule

    • The most important part of getting your dog house trained is to keep him on a strict schedule. Your dog should eat and go for walks at the same time every day. This will help regulate your dog's need to use the the bathroom and make potty training easier. You should always feed him the same type of food and the same amount at every meal so his bowel movements become regular, and he is less likely to have any unpredicted accidents. You should also limit his water intake after a certain time in the evening; this will help prevent any accidents in the middle of the night.