How to Potty Train Puppies Inside

Potty training is an essential part of pet ownership, and potty training indoors is becoming a reality for more and more pet owners. Many pet owners live in apartments or condos that make taking puppies outside to potty every couple of hours an unrealistic challenge. It is possible to potty train puppies to go in the house in approved areas and not make a mess out of your entire home.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate
  • Bedding
  • Toys
  • Exercise pen
  • Potty training pads
  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your crate in a quiet area of your home. The crate will help contain your puppies and give them a space of their own, which is necessary when potty training inside. Add soft bedding and a few toys to keep your puppies comfortable and occupied while in the crate. If you have more than one puppy to potty train, purchase a large crate such as those designed for Great Danes to provide adequate room for the entire litter.

    • 2

      Set up your exercise pen around the crate, using it as a fence to create a larger area for your puppies to explore. Most exercise pens are made of 8 panels that expand to create an area approximately 15 square feet in size, which is plenty of room to potty train your puppies. Lay down two or three puppy training pads on the side of the pen farthest from the crate. Puppies do not like to potty where they sleep and may refuse to use the pads if they are too close to the crate.

    • 3

      Feed your puppies at the same time every day. Puppies most often have to potty after meals and upon waking, so knowing when they last ate will make predicting when they have to potty much easier.

    • 4

      Watch your puppies for indicators that they have to potty. Puppies will most often sniff the ground, pace back and forth and whine when they have to go. Move your puppies to the training pads and give them the command to go potty when they exhibit these signs.

    • 5

      Repeat the potty command to your puppies and stand quietly for a few moments as they go potty. If they begin to wander away from the pad, move them back to the proper potty spot so they learn to potty only on the pads.

    • 6

      Reward each puppy with a treat when they have used the pads. The treat reinforces that going potty on the pads when asked is the proper behavior, and the puppies will learn to associate the urge to go with the pads and will look for them when they have to go.

    • 7

      Pick up the soiled pads and dispose of them, laying down new pads as soon as possible. Place your puppies on the pads after they wake up and after every meal, and they will soon learn to seek out the pads and use them instead of going on the floor.