Things You'll Need
- Gate or playpen
- Puppy pads
- Treats
- Leash
Instructions
Create a confined space for your puppy. This can be a small room, such as a bathroom that is gated off, or a playpen. Cover the entire floor in your puppy's area with puppy pads.
Watch your puppy closely for signs it needs to go the bathroom. Some puppies will sniff the floor before they need to go; others walk in circles or pace. Take your puppy outside frequently. Puppies, like human babies, do not have the ability to hold their bladder for extended periods of time. Always take your puppy out about 30 minutes before and after meals, before and after naps and when you notice whining or restlessness.
Walk your puppy frequently. Walking helps puppies learn where to go the bathroom. It also helps quell boredom. When you take your puppy out for a walk or to go in the yard, always use the same phrase to refer to bathroom activity. This will help your puppy equate that phrase with the activity, and eventually the phrase can be used as a command. Some phrases may include "Go the bathroom," "Bathroom," "Potty" or "Do your business" anything you are comfortable with, but keep it simple.
Reward and/or praise your puppy when it goes the bathroom outside. This will help your puppy associate going the bathroom outside with a positive reaction. When your puppy is outside on or off the leash, don't let it goof off or play until it has gone the bathroom. When your puppy goes the bathroom inside, punishment is not necessary. Clean the mess up and move on.
Remove puppy pads periodically so the area that is covered in your puppy's living quarters becomes smaller. When it seems your puppy is adjusting to the smaller bathroom area, remove another puppy pad. Keep doing this until your puppy has just one puppy pad left. If your puppy has setbacks, you can add pads back to increase the space temporarily until you feel confident enough to shrink it again.
Check the puppy pad often to see if your puppy is using it. When you start to notice the puppy pad stays unsoiled for long periods of time, you can try removing it altogether. Be prepared to put it back if your puppy is not ready to go without it.