Puppy Potty Training for Dummies

Crate Training

• Crate training is the easiest method to use for puppy potty training. The appropriate crate size should be just big enough so that your puppy can lie down, turn around and sit up in the crate. The crate should be placed in a room where you spend most of your time so that you can watch and monitor your puppy. It will become the puppy's "den," its own special place and so the puppy will be less likely to want to go potty there. Line the crate with a towel and place a toy inside. Encourage the puppy to go and explore it. Practice shutting the door to the crate for a few minutes at a time and then open the door. When the puppy is accustomed to being in the crate, increase the amount of time with the door closed. However, never leave the puppy in the crate for longer than two hours with the door closed. Place the puppy in the crate when you have to leave the house and during the night.

Schedule

• Puppies need to go potty often; sometimes as frequently as once every hour. They also generally need to relieve themselves five to 20 minutes after waking up, eating or playing. Be consistent and maintain a schedule of taking the puppy outside to go potty after these specific times of day. Allow your puppy ten minutes to go potty and, if it does not go after that time, take it back to its crate. Wait ten to fifteen minutes before bringing it back outside to try to go potty again. Take your puppy outside to the same area every time. This will act as a trigger for the puppy to associate the spot with going potty.

Diet

• Keep your new puppy on a dry dog food diet. This will keep its stool more solid and can help avoid any unpleasant tummy aches resulting in diarrhea during potty training. Be sure to always have a bowl of fresh water for your puppy. Devise a feeding schedule and follow it every day to build a pattern for your puppy. It is important to feed it at the same time every day. Feed your puppy at least four hours before its bedtime and do not supply any more water at least two hours before it goes to sleep.

Behavioral Cues

• Understanding what to look for in the behavior of your puppy can aid you in potty training. When puppies need to go potty, they will often sniff around and walk in circles. They might go to areas where they relieved themselves before. Sometimes they may act restless. Monitor your puppy and watch for these behavioral cues so you'll know ahead of time when your puppy needs to go and you can avoid any accidents inside your home.

Accidents

• It is expected that your puppy will have an accident or two during potty training. When your puppy has an accident, do not yell or berate it because that will only confuse and frighten it. Never strike your puppy. Also, rubbing its nose in the soiled area will not help. Puppies live in the present and, if you do not catch your puppy in the act of having an accident; trying to punish him after that will only cause confusion. If do not catch your puppy in the act of soiling an area inside the house, just clean up the area without making any remark. If you catch your puppy having an accident, say "no" in a firm voice, take it outside to finish and then put it back in the crate.

Rewards

• Rewarding your puppy for a job well done will help potty training. When you take your puppy outside and it goes potty, be sure to praise it, such as saying, "Good girl." Make sure to reserve words of encouragement and praise for after your puppy has gone potty outside at the appropriate place.