How to Get Your Puppy to Potty Outside

Potty-training a puppy requires consistency to prevent your puppy from having accidents inside the home. Find a location where you want the puppy to "do its business." Use newspapers on the floor to potty-train your dog inside the home, and slowly move the papers outside.

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose an acceptable area for your puppy to do its business. Use newspapers or puppy pads in designated spots and start off slow. Praise the puppy for using the newspapers or puppy pads and slowly start to move the papers outside. Place the pads or papers close to the door, then gradually move it outside completely.

    • 2

      Recognize the signs that your puppy needs to go to the bathroom, such as sniffing the floor. Pick the puppy up and take it outside each time it shows signs of needing to go to the bathroom. Use verbal cues that tell the puppy to eliminate itself outside, such as "Go to the bathroom" or "Do your business." Praise the dog each time it uses the bathroom outside. When you catch the puppy eliminating where it is not supposed to, use a firm voice and say, "No," before carrying it outside to use the bathroom.

    • 3

      Form a schedule for taking your puppy outside to use the bathroom, such as once every hour. Take the puppy outside after eating or drinking, since this is a normal time for a puppy to go to the bathroom. Wait a few minutes and, if the puppy has not gone to the bathroom, try again in 10 minutes. Keep praising the puppy for good behaviors until eventually it learns to use the bathroom outside.