Keeping your expectations in check when training your puppy to “do business” in the correct area, will go a long way in helping you and your pup avoid stress.
Many people do not know at what age a puppy should be expected to hold their potty and for how long. We are asked frequently, ‘how long can she hold it in the crate?’ Well, it depends on the puppy, her age, your training/consistency, and how long she’s been in your house.
Many people also do not know that puppies have not learned how to go to the bathroom themselves until they are about 4 weeks of age. Yes, that’s right, mom and the breeder will help the puppies eliminate by rubbing them. Mom does the clean up work because the puppies cannot see and hear, much less walk anywhere. By 4 weeks of age, they are just starting to try and go potty themselves, and even then, they can only go so far off on their own.
By 5 weeks of age, they can go off to a litter box to do their business, but they have no consistency. Their plumbing has only been working for a week! We don’t expect much from the puppies during week 5. During week 5, we constantly put puppies in the litter box (with an inch or two of equine pine pellets) and tell them to “go potty” when we think they are going to eliminate. Anytime we observe a puppy eliminating in the litter box or the designated area, we always praise them by telling them “good puppy”. This way, they learn to go in the box, in a certain ‘spot’. Sometimes, having a ‘spot’ that is just for the puppy to potty on, and not play, will help speed up potty training. Puppies, by natural instinct, do not want to mess in their den. They just have to realize the territory lines of their den.
During week 6, we take the box outside when they go out to play, and they learn to go outside because the tray is there. Keep in mind, puppies have only been eliminating without assistance for not even two weeks. They are still pottying in random spots – with some puppies being quicker and more fastidious than others to catch on. Some very young puppies are meticulous about eliminating on the box or outside, but this is not the norm.
During week 6, they learn to potty outside (weather permitting) or to be more consistent about going in the box. At nighttime, we are leaving the doors open on the crate and they have access to the box while they are in a pen. We find that morning cleanups are now just on and around the tray, versus all over the place like before.
Weeks 7 and 8 are just time for them to grow and learn to be more consistent and hold it a little bit. Our puppies usually know by then that they should use the box or go potty outside.
Now, with that said, our expectations are not high at this point. They are only 8 weeks old. They are just babies! Infants just moving into toddlerhood! And, their life has been very routine. They go outside during certain times, in the same spot. They eat their food at the exact same times, and then they go out to potty, in the same spot.
It is important to establish an eating, potty, and sleeping routine for your puppy! They are creatures of habit and sticking to a routine will significantly help you with housebreaking your puppy.
So, when a puppy goes to their new home, we hope you keep your expectations in check. They don’t know that the house you live in is their new den and that they are staying, and not just at summer camp. Imagine being a kid at summer camp, just a toddler, and you don’t know where the outhouses are….where are you going to go? Yep, wherever is closest – because you know you waited until the last second to even look for the bathroom because you were busy playing with your new friends.
They don’t know who you are and why they are with you; and their body is adjusting to new sights, sounds, and maybe even new food and time schedules. Meanwhile, their digestive system has been working, without help, for only 4 weeks! Imagine that – you have a brand new digestive system, you are the size of a rabbit with your bladder relative size, and you just traveled to a brand new place – away from your sisters and brothers and the only place/home that you have ever known. And your mind is that of an infant/toddler. What expectations should we have of that?
Your puppy will potty in your house if they are young. At 8 weeks old, they are not capable of understanding about holding it (in anyone’s den, not just their own) and they don’t understand that this huge new house is supposed to be their ‘little’ den.
Yes, we have taught them to go outside and/or in a certain spot. When your puppy’s feet hit the grass/floor after a nap or immediately after eating, you better believe they are going to potty!
Now, it is up to you to get your baby to where they need to be to learn this new spot that you want them to go at.
Expect their stomachs to be nervous during the first few days that they are with you. Know how you get nervous when you are on a trip and you know no one, you don’t speak the same language, and not only do you not know where the bathrooms are, you don’t even know how to read a sign that shows you where the bathrooms are? And then you go in to a place that you think is the bathroom, but you see the ‘toilet’ looks different than the one you’re used to!
It is up to you to keep your expectations in check. Use the times when they potty in your home as learning experiences. Do not yell or punish the puppy. Please remember that he is just a baby and you are being unfair, if you start yelling at a baby that is trying to learn and understand a new world and language.
So, when can you expect more consistency? It does depend on the dog. Around 10 weeks, they have a little bit stronger systems (and understanding) to ‘hold it’ longer. 12 weeks is even better. Your puppy will need consistent potty training until 6 months of age! You WILL have setbacks. You’ll think your puppy has it all figured out and will be able to hold it, and then all of a sudden, he or she will pee or poo – sometimes right after you brought them back in the house from going potty outside!
It can be frustrating, but it is much less frustrating if you realize how their little systems work – by routine! Take their water away at 8 o’clock at night. Keep them on a schedule. Don’t change their food all the time. Don’t give them a big variety of treats. Use the same door for going outside to ‘do business’. Wait until they are 5 to 8 months to start experimenting with food and different treats.
If the 1 year to 7 years is the correct ratio rule for the age of dogs, just think, at 6 months old, your dog is only 3.5 years old!! Do you expect a 3 year old human toddler to be perfect, without consistency and supervision?
Keep your expectations in line with reality and both you and your puppy will be less stressed during a crucial time of learning.
Very helpful! Thanks!