The Best Ways for Potty Training a Puppy

One of the first things you want to do when you get a new puppy is to start the process of house training it. You will enjoy your new friend much more if you don't have to clean the carpet every day. It will take time for a puppy to get the idea. It can take up to a year before it might be safe to leave the dog alone in the house. There are ways you can speed up the learning process.

  1. Using a Timer

    • Set a timer in your house and take the puppy out every 30 minutes, regardless of whether he has to go or not. Praise him for taking care of business when he does. This way he will come to associate relieving himself outside as a good thing. As the dog gets older, you can set the timer to longer time periods.

    Positive Reinforcement

    • Avoid yelling at the puppy when he relieves himself in the house. Positive reinforcement when he does what you want is far more effective. This is because dogs -- even older ones -- have a hard time associating something they have done in the past with something you are mad about now. From their perspective, you are just having a fit for no reason.

    Keep it Clean

    • One major problem you can have when house training a puppy is that once he relieves himself inside the house in a particular spot, he is often drawn back to it by the scent. For this reason, you should completely clean any spot in your house where he has relived himself, otherwise he will just decide that that area is his toilet.

    Other Times to Go for a Walk

    • There are certain times when you should walk your puppy regardless of what your preset timer says. Whenever the puppy starts circling and sniffing, he probably needs to go. Also, walk him right after meals, after an energetic romp or playtime, first thing in the morning and just before you go to bed.