Free Information on Potty Training Your Puppy Fast & Easy

Potty training, also known as house training, your puppy requires a consistent schedule and lots of praise. Punishment has no place while potty training as it scares the puppy and is counterproductive. The two basic requirements for a successful potty training program include preventing indoor accidents and providing plenty of appropriate elimination opportunities, states the ASPCA.

  1. Crate

    • The crate is your puppy's den and it will not soil it. Choose a crate that provides your puppy just enough room to stand up and turn around. Never use the crate to punish your puppy. Ensure your puppy has plenty of socialization and exercise time with you outside its crate. Leave it in the crate too long and your puppy is liable to get depressed or anxious, states The Humane Society of the United States. The ASPCA suggests beginning with 15 to 20 minutes of free-time outside the crate after your puppy has eliminated in the proper place. Gradually increase the amount of free time.

    Schedule

    • Maintain a consistent schedule for letting your puppy outside. Take young puppies outside every hour, after meals, after playtime and after naps, states the ASPCA. Also take it outside first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Your puppy can hold it for as many hours as his age in months. For example, a five-month-old puppy can hold it for a maximum of five hours. Some puppies learn by the time they are four months old, while others learn by 12 months of age, according to the ASPCA.

    Location

    • Pick a specific location outside where you want your dog to go and take it there every time. Remember to praise right after it eliminates so it associates eliminating in the right place with praise.

    Praise

    • Praise immediately after your puppy eliminates in the proper place. Reward with verbal happy praise and a small tasty treat. Never scold it for going in the wrong place. Instead, make a loud noise to distract it and bring your puppy to the proper place. Wait for it to eliminate and praise when it does. Also, use a phrase such as "go potty" when your dog is eliminating. Your dog will soon associate the word with eliminating and you can ask it to eliminate on command.

    Signals

    • Supervise your puppy carefully during its free time. Look for signals that it needs to go, such as pacing, circling, whining, leaving the room and sniffing the floor. Take it outside as quickly as possible the minute you notice any of the signs. Not all puppies learn to bark or scratch at the door to let you know they need to go.

    Issues

    • Puppies under 12 weeks of age will have accidents because they do not have adequate bladder and bowel control, according to the ASPCA. Some puppies have accidents after learning the rules because their muscles still are not strong enough. Sometimes, medical issues such as gastrointestinal upset, urinary tract infection and genital abnormality prevent successful potty training. Consult your veterinarian if your puppy shows no signs of improvement after weeks of potty training. Some puppies urinate to mark, to show submission or when they are excited. Separation anxiety can also cause inappropriate elimination.