Potty Training a Female Puppy

Taking a puppy home is an exciting time for a person or family. It is easy to want to just hold and play with your new puppy, but it is also time to start potty training from the beginning. Positive reinforcement can only go so far. It is up to the new puppy's owners to train her where to go to the bathroom. It should only take a few weeks until she is potty trained, so try not to get too frustrated.

Things You'll Need

  • Leash
  • Designated potty area
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Instructions

  1. Beginning Potty Training

    • 1

      Decide where the puppy can go to the bathroom. Decide beforehand if you want her to go anywhere outside, or in a very specific area so that it is easy to clean up. Female puppies, unlike boy puppies, will likely discolor the grass because they squat to use the potty and all the urine is concentrated. It is important to keep this in mind when choosing a location that you want to designate as your puppy's potty spot.

    • 2

      Take the puppy on a leash to the potty area. Make sure you stay there quietly while the puppy does her business. Stay there at least five minutes to allow her to complete her task. If she doesn't, go back in the house and try again in about thirty minutes.

    • 3

      Praise the puppy when she uses the bathroom in the appropriate spot.

    • 4

      Keep a schedule. Take the puppy outdoors to the potty spot at regular intervals, so the puppy can get used to the schedule and not have to wonder when the next time they get to go outside is.

    • 5

      Take the puppy outside after they eat and wake up. These are typical times that puppies need to use the potty.

    • 6

      Keep an eye on the puppy. Always know where she is during the day in the house. If she begins to look around, as if to search for a place to go to the potty, immediately take her outside on her leash.

    When Leaving Puppy Alone

    • 7

      Confine your puppy while you are out of the house. Use a crate or a partitioned area of a garage or bathroom.

    • 8

      Plan to feed your puppy several hours before you leave, and take her to the bathroom before you leave. Do not leave out water or food for your puppy while you are gone.

    • 9

      Plan to have someone check on the puppy, feed them and take them to the potty several times a day if you are going to be gone for a long time.