{"id":5936,"date":"2025-03-26T15:16:01","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T19:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smokymountaindoodles.com\/?p=5936"},"modified":"2025-03-26T15:16:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T19:16:03","slug":"how-to-potty-train-puppies-a-comprehensive-guide-for-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smokymountaindoodles.com\/?p=5936","title":{"rendered":"How to Potty Train Puppies: A Comprehensive Guide for Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From: AKC.org<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning how to potty train puppies at the right time and place is one of the most important first steps you can take for a long, happy life together. House soiling is among the top reasons why dogs lose their homes or end up in shelters. Few people are willing to put up with a dog who destroys rugs and flooring, or who leaves a stinky mess that needs to be cleaned after a hard day at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to make sure that you do some research in advance on\u00a0how to house train a dog, decide what will work best for your situation, and make a plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are pros and cons to each, they all can be successful if you follow a few basic tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crates Rank High as a Potty Training Tool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many people who are new to dogs cringe at the idea of\u00a0confining their puppies in a crate, but the reluctance to use this tool generally evaporates after a few days of living with a new pet.\u00a0Dog crates\u00a0make life easier. It\u2019s a good idea to get your dog accustomed to one for many reasons, such as vet visits or traveling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs are den animals and will seek out a little canine cave for security whether you provide one or not. That makes it relatively easy to train your dog to love their crate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The principle behind using a crate for housetraining is that dogs are very clean creatures. They don\u2019t like a urine-soaked rug in their living spaces any more than you do. It\u2019s important that the crate is the right size \u2014 just large enough for the dog to lie down, stand up, and turn around. If it\u2019s too large, the dog will feel that it\u2019s OK to use one corner for elimination and then happily settle down away from the mess. Many crates come with partitions so you can adjust the size as your puppy grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they feel an urge, a puppy will usually let you know by whining and scratching. That\u2019s their signal that they have to go and want out of their little den. Now! If you let your dog lose control in their crate, they\u2019ll get the idea that it\u2019s OK to mess up their living space. Then they\u2019ll think nothing of leaving little packages around where you live, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Puppy Pads and Paper Training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The use of\u00a0puppy pads\u00a0and\u00a0paper training\u00a0can be tricky. You\u2019re reinforcing two different options for the puppy. In an ideal situation, puppies would learn to hold it indoors and only eliminate at specific spots outdoors. But some cases may require a bit of creative thought, such as a person who has a job that makes it impossible to get home several times a day, or for a tiny dog living where the winters are brutal. Puppy pads give a dog the option of relieving themselves in an approved spot at home. There are also indoor dog bathrooms that even work for male dogs. After the dog matures, the owner can then work on having the dog do their business outdoors all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a Housetraining Schedule for Your Puppy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keeping a\u00a0consistent housetraining schedule\u00a0is critical to success. Puppies have tiny bladders, and water runs right through them. The same is true for solid matter. You have to make sure you\u2019re giving your puppy ample opportunity to do the right thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good guide is that dogs can control their bladders for the number of hours corresponding to their age in months up to about nine months to a year. Remember, though, that 10 to 12 hours is a long time for anyone to hold it! A 6-month-old puppy can reasonably be expected to hold it for about 6 hours. Never forget that all puppies are individuals and the timing will differ for each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monitor daily events and your puppy\u2019s habits when setting up a schedule. With very young puppies, you should expect to take the puppy out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • First thing in the morning and last thing at night<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • After playing indoors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • After spending time in a crate or upon\u00a0waking up from a nap<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • After chewing a toy or bone, eating, or\u00a0drinking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    This could have you running for the piddle pad, backyard, or street a dozen times or more in a 24-hour period. If you work outside your home, make some kind of arrangement to keep that schedule. It can be helpful to have a dog walker or a person familiar to your dog stop by your home to take them out to go potty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The quicker you convey the idea that there is an approved place to potty and that some places are off-limits, the quicker you\u2019ll be able to put this messy chapter behind you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Observing and Supervising Your Dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    You have to watch your puppy carefully for individual signals and rhythms. Some puppies may be able to hold it longer than others, while some will have to go out every time they play or get excited. Others will stop in the middle of a play session, pee, and play on. As with human babies, canine potty habits are highly idiosyncratic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Controlling Your Dog\u2019s Diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Puppies have immature digestive systems, so they can\u2019t really handle a lot of food. That\u2019s why it\u2019s recommended that you break up the\u00a0puppy feeding schedule\u00a0into at least three small meals. Another thing to keep in mind is the food itself, which should be the highest quality\u00a0puppy food. Whatever you choose, make sure it agrees with your puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Smoky Mountain Doodles will provide a 1-gallon container of the kibble that your puppy has been eating in your puppy gift bag.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Examining a dog\u2019s stool\u00a0is the best way for an owner to figure out whether it\u2019s time for a change in diet. If your puppy is consistently producing stools that are bulky, loose, and stinky, it may be time to switch to a new\u00a0dog food. Overfeeding may also provoke a case of diarrhea, which will only make the task of housetraining that much more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Reinforcing Your Puppy for \u201cGoing\u201d Outside<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Scolding a puppy for soiling your rug, especially after the fact, isn\u2019t going to do much. Likewise, some old methods of punishment, like rubbing a dog\u2019s nose in their poop, are so bizarre that it\u2019s hard to imagine how they came to be and if they ever worked for anyone. Praising a puppy for doing the right thing works best for everything you will do in your life together. Make them think that they\u2019re a little canine Einstein every time they perform this simple, natural act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Be effusive in your praise \u2014 cheer, clap, throw cookies. Let them know that no other accomplishment, ever, has been as important as this pee. Reward your puppy with one of their favorite\u00a0treats. Make sure they\u2019re nice and small, easy for your puppy to digest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If your dog has an accident, don\u2019t make a fuss, just clean up the mess. Use a\u00a0cleaner that eliminates odors\u00a0to remove the scent, so the dog won\u2019t use it in the future. Blot up liquid on the carpet before cleaning the rug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you catch the dog starting to squat to urinate or defecate, pick them up and immediately rush outside. If they do the job outdoors, give them plenty of praise and attention. Remember that when it comes to housetraining, prevention is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Troubleshooting Common Housetraining Problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Following these rules will usually result in a well house-trained puppy. But sometimes, it doesn\u2019t go as planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Occasionally, house soiling is a sign of a physical issue. Well before the several month mark, a dog who has seemed impossible to housetrain should probably have a good veterinary workup. If your vet finds that your dog is healthy, the next step is to find a trainer or behaviorist who has had experience with this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some common complaints:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cMy Dog Is Piddling All Over the House!\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This is common among people who own toy dogs. Some trainers recommend teaching puppies to use indoor potty spots, similar to how a cat uses a litter box. In addition to piddle pads, there are actual\u00a0dog potty boxes\u00a0for indoor use. Trainers say that with consistency, you can house train a little dog. It just may take a little additional time, attention, and effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cMy Dog Keeps Peeing in the Same Spot Where They Had an Accident.\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    That\u2019s probably because you didn\u2019t clean up the mess efficiently. There may still be some odor there, signaling that this is a prime potty spot. In your new puppy supply kit, make sure you have plenty of\u00a0pet stain enzymatic cleaners\u00a0and carefully follow instructions on using them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI Gave Them the Run of the Apartment. When I Came Home, There Was a Mess.\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This is a common mistake among dog owners. They see some early signs that the dog is getting the idea, and declare victory too soon. Even when the puppy is consistently doing what you want, keep to the schedule to make sure the good habits are ingrained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cThey\u2019re Soiling Their Crate!\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Dogs who come from situations where they were confined for long periods and had no other choice but to eliminate in their kennels will often soil their crates. The best approach would be to go back to the beginning with crate and house training. Here are the steps to follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Assess how well your dog can control their bladder and bowels when not in the crate<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Carefully control their diet and schedule<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Give frequent trips outside, including after every meal, first thing in the morning, and last thing at night<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • If you work, consider hiring a dog walker<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Clean everything so there are no odors left<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      How Long Does Puppy Potty Training Take?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      How long you\u2019ll need to work on potty training can vary considerably. There are many factors to consider, such as age, learning history, and your methods and consistency. An 8-week-old puppy is very different developmentally than a 5-month-old puppy. Some puppies have perfect manners after just a few days. With patience and persistence, most dogs can learn.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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