ABCs of Puppy Potty Training

Potty training a new puppy is likely the most frustrating task you will need to tackle over the course of your dog's life. Teaching a dog where and when to use the restroom can be difficult and time consuming, but it is important to employ the best possible training methods to ensure eventual success. If you approach the situation with positivity and patience, your puppy can stop having accidents sooner than you realize.

  1. Consistency

    • One of the most important elements of training a puppy to do anything is consistency. Puppies learn by a very simple principle: cause and effect. If the effect is different depending on who is home at the time, puppies receive a mixed message that can complicate training. Sit down with your family and establish rules for potty training. Your puppy should eat pre-set amounts of food at the same time each day, should be let out at the same time, and should receive the same reward for a job well done no matter who is watching him at the time.

    Positive Reinforcement

    • If you want to ensure potty training success, you should use only positive reinforcement methods. Take your puppy outside and tell him "Go potty." Wait for him to use the restroom, and then throw him a small party in the yard. Give him a small treat and shower him with praise. If you catch him using the bathroom in the house, quickly move him outside and then praise him for finishing. Never punish your dog for using the restroom in the house, as you will create two problems. One, he will be scared to potty in front of you anywhere, making it harder to get outside potties. Two, he will hide from you when he uses the restroom inside, making the behavior harder to correct.

    Crate Training

    • Crate training is an effective method for potty training puppies. Most puppies will not use the bathroom in the same place that they sleep. First, find a crate that is the correct size for your puppy. The crate should be big enough for him to walk in, turn around, and lay down. Any extra space may end up being used as a bathroom. If you have a large breed dog, try buying a sectional crate that can be blocked off as your pet gets bigger. Place your puppy in the crate when you leave the house or go to sleep, and take him immediately outside when you return or wake up. Remember that the crate is not a punishment and you should only put your puppy inside for a few minutes at a time at first to build his comfort.

    Puppy Mill Puppies

    • Many pet stores pull puppies from places called "puppy mills." Puppy mills are large breeding facilities in which hundreds of puppies are bred each month. Puppies are often fed a poor diet and kept in small crates, which are stacked on top of one another. Because of this, puppies do not learn to use the bathroom in a separate area from their sleeping area. Puppy mill puppies will pee in crates and sleep in the urine, and often have very poor bladder control. If you see these sorts of symptoms, you may have a puppy mill puppy. You will still be able to potty train him in the usual manner, but it could take much longer for him to be a consistently good outside pottier.