How to Help Potty Train My Puppy

Potty training your puppy takes two things: patience and repetition. Don't feel defeated or angry if your doggy doesn't catch on right away; it eventually will. As long as you stay cool and dedicated, you will get the results you want from your dog. Remember that this is training and your puppy will need to repeat the action plenty of times before it "sticks."

Things You'll Need

  • Newspapers
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Instructions

    • 1
      Puppies need boundaries and repetition.

      Pick the place you'd like your puppy to relieve itself. This spot should not change, as part of the training process is consistency and repetition. If you have it in mind to eventually train your dog to go to the bathroom outside (house train it), then consider setting the target area somewhere near the door. Eventually, you will keep moving the papers closer to the door until they are outside.

    • 2
      Using newspaper is the cheapest way to potty train a puppy.

      Place at least three layers of newspaper in the chosen spot. Use cardboard underneath the newspaper to ensure that nothing leaks through.

    • 3
      Save yourself a headache and lay down plenty of papers at first.

      Start off with a large potty space if you are afraid your puppy will miss the paper. This gives it an idea of the general area you wish it to use. As your puppy begins to get used to it, decrease the area until it is as small as you'd like.

    • 4
      Puppies crave affection and affirmation so use them as a reward.

      Watch your pup after it drinks and eats. If it begins sniffing the ground and/or walking in circles it is getting ready to relieve itself. Don't yell in anger, but startle your puppy with a "Wait! Wait! Wait!" or something similar (this stops it in its tracks) and take it to the papers. Tell the puppy to "go potty," or whichever command you've chosen. Reward the dog with affection each time it gets it right.

    • 5
      Pups use their noses to find the restroom.

      Replace the papers with clean ones. Leave one sheet of soiled newspaper on the pile when changing them. This will help your pooch remember where to do its business.