How to Potty Train a 17-Week-Old Dog

When you bring a new dog into the family, potty training it is a time-consuming but necessary task. At 17 weeks old, a dog is several months older than the age that you would normally start training a puppy; however, it is still young enough to adjust to training if done properly. If you have just brought home a dog this age, you will want to begin a training program as soon as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
  • Crate or kennel
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Instructions

  1. Establishing a Routine

    • 1

      Create a routine. Take the dog outside regularly. A 17-week-old dog will need to 'go potty' every 5 hours or less--even at night, which means you will need to wake up to facilitate the upkeep of this routine.

    • 2

      Keep a close eye on the dog. Learn the signs that it has to eliminate, such as sniffing the floor or walking in tight circles. Do not let it go into another room in your home without supervision, to prevent it from eliminating where it's not supposed to in your absence. Take your pet outside as soon as it has been fed, when it awakes from a nap, and after periods of vigorous play.

    • 3

      Pick the dog up and take it outside. Because the dog is barely five months old, it is accustomed to stopping and urinating or defecating when the need hits--regardless of location. Carrying it to the door will prevent the dog from squatting before it gets outside.

    • 4

      Select a location in the yard. Make it a spot near the door. Place the dog on the grass and encourage it to eliminate by using phrases such as "Potty" or "Go Potty." This will indicate that this is a location where it is okay to eliminate.

    • 5

      Give praise after your pet has successfully finished. Ensure that it has completely finished urinating and defecating in its spot. Pet the dog's head, giving it praise such as "Good Dog." Provide a treat before going back indoors.

    Beginning Crate Training

    • 6

      Get the dog accustomed to using a crate as soon as possible. This will help prevent accidents. Because dogs naturally do not want to soil their bedding or den, they will not, under normal circumstances, soil the crate.

    • 7

      Encourage the dog to enter the crate. A 17-week-old puppy may be hesitant to approach a kennel. Place toys, treats and bedding inside as an incentive. When the dog no longer appears hesitant to enter, lock it inside for several minutes. Release the dog and give it praise.

    • 8

      Build up the time that you leave the dog in the kennel. Leave the room for increasing periods of time as the dog adjusts. Keep the dog's age in mind; do not leave it inside of the crate for longer than 4 or 5 hours.