How to Potty Train a Male Pug

Potty training a male pug is based on a dog's natural instinct to be a den animal. Dogs prefer to eliminate away from their den. Pugs, like other small breeds, can take time and patience to potty train, but it can be accomplished. An intact male of 6 months or older that begins urinating in the home may be marking territory. That is caused by testosterone, not a lapse in potty training. Neutering may be considered to inhibit marking behaviors in an older male before potty training can be successful.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire or plastic dog crate
  • 2 light colored bath towels
  • Martingale collar or harness
  • 4- or 6-foot leash
  • 15- or 20-foot leash
  • Journal
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Instructions

    • 1

      Acquire a crate that is just large enough to accommodate your pug. He should be able to stand, turn around and lie down inside but not have excess space. Choose a crate made specifically for dogs that can be easily cleaned. Place one of the towels on the bottom of the crate. Take a day or two to introduce your pug to the crate by placing him inside for short periods of time.

    • 2

      In the journal write down a schedule that will include time for feeding your pug two to three times daily, play periods, exercise time, nap time and a final bed time. Add a journal note that water should be offered at feeding time, after play periods and after exercise but should be removed two hours prior to bed time. During the potty training process, your pug should be taken outside to potty before and after each of these activities and be placed in the crate at other times.

    • 3

      Using your choice of collar or harness, attach the 4- to 6-foot leash to your pug before taking him out of the crate. If the pug is quite young, carry him outside to the designated potty area. Once outside attach the longer 15- or 20-foot leash and allow him to find spots within that space to eliminate. If you have a fenced yard, you can forgo the use of the long leash. Try and remain quiet so that your pug can get down to the business at hand. Praise the dog quietly after he has urinated and again when he defecates. Pugs will urinate more frequently than they will defecate. Once you see a potty pattern that is normal for your pug, note that in your journal. Make time to stay outside until your pug has gone potty. If you have been outside for 20 minutes with no success, put him back in the crate for half an hour and try again.

    • 4

      Each time you put your pug back into the crate, make sure the towel on the bottom of the crate is clean. If your pug has gone potty in his crate, you will be able to see the stains on a light colored towel. Be certain to clean the areas prior to putting the clean towel and pug back into the crate.

    • 5

      Stay consistent to your potty training schedule. Once you have completed seven days without any accidents, you can stretch out the times your pug is out of the crate. Attach him to your 4- or 6-foot leash and clip it to your belt. Keeping your pug with you will prevent him from sneaking off to eliminate. Be certain to go outside often as you are stretching the times he is outside of the crate.