Dog Potty Training 101: Easy, Breezy Ways to House Train Your Pet  

Dog potty training must top your list of things to do as a pet parent. When done right, puppy house training or even potty training older dogs can be the easiest training tasks to take on with your furry baby. So much so, that I wouldn’t peg figuring out how to potty train a puppy in 7 days as a lofty goal.

On the other hand, if you don’t get your approach or timing right, it can turn into a frustrating, and quite frankly, a gross nightmare. Dogs are creatures of habit, and once your pet gets into the habit of relieving itself at a particular spot in the house, breaking that pattern can turn into an effort-intensive enterprise that yields little returns. Not to mention, as your dog matures, cleaning up after them becomes more and more difficult.

That’s why I said dog potty training should be a top priority once you bring a four-legged baby home. My time-tested dog potty training tips will help make the process a lot easier and swifter.

Introduction to Dog Potty Training

Potty training is the very basic tenet of raising a well-adjusted dog you can build a lasting, beautiful bond with. Think about it, when you come home after a long day at work, you’d want to be greeted by a happy dog, wiggling their tale, jumping up and down, and showing all sorts of signs of love, and not one who has turned your home into a stinking pile of their excrement, right?

While one would bring you a much-needed serotonin rush, the other would fill you with frustration, anger, or rage enough to cry bloody murder, depending on how spent you’re already emotionally and physically. When we embark on a journey of becoming parents to furry bundles of joy, the former is the goal, for us and them. Potty training is a very pivotal cog in the wheel for making that happen.

Now, what is dog potty training or house training and what does it entail? Simply put, it means teaching your dog to relieve itself outside the house. This process must begin as soon as you bring your pet home. The sooner you start, the faster you will see results. In fact, it’s not just humans who realize the importance of dog potty training. Dog mamas start toilet training their puppies once they’re 2-3 weeks old by nudging them off the surface they sleep and eat on when it’s time for them to relieve themselves.

This is known as surface discrimination. Since puppies are usually weaned off their mothers and sent to their forever homes after 8-10 weeks, it’s quite likely that your pet already understands that they shouldn’t soil the area they eat or sleep in. In the puppy house training process, you just need to build up on this knowledge and guide your pooch to the area where you’d like them to go.

Of course, in puppies this young, there are bound to be mishaps and accidents. However, with consistency and patience, you can turn things around pretty quickly. You can tap into this inherent instinct that dogs are attuned to soon after birth even when potty training older dogs.

Creating a Potty Training Schedule

Remember what I said? With the right approach, figuring out how to potty train a puppy in 7 days isn’t a lofty goal. If that’s what you have in mind, I’ve got the best puppy potty training schedule. I’ve relied on it for puppy house training every single time we’ve brought home a furry baby and it has worked like a charm, every single time. So, here goes:

Puppy potty training schedule — when to take your dog

First thing in the morning upon waking up

Immediately after meals and every time your pup drinks a substantial amount of water

After a play session

Once before your bed time

1 hour for every month your puppy’s age — so if your puppy is two-months old, you must take them out to relieve themselves at least every two hours, in addition to the timings mentioned above. This includes scheduling trips to their designated pee-spot through the night

For potty training older dogs, you can tweak this schedule a little. For instance, in addition to taking your dog out to do their business after waking up and after meals, you can schedule about 4 other trips throughout the day, based on your observation of when your pet feels the need to go the most.

Suggested Reading: Can You Train a Dog at Any Age? The Answer May Surprise You

Techniques for Successful Potty Training

When it comes to dog potty training, starting early and being consistent are the two biggest secrets to success. Now the question is, how do you make it happen? Here are a few time-tested dog potty training tips that will help you see quick results:

1. Start as soon as you bring your dog home

The process of housebreaking a puppy or a dog must begin as soon as you bring your pet home. Don’t slack and let them pee and poo all over the place. Instead, within their first hour in their new home, take your pet to the designated area and keep them there until they do their business. If your pet has traveled some distance, I’d recommend doing this even before you take them into your home

2. Establish a routine

Even the best puppy potty training schedule can yield results only when adhered to consistently. So, stick with it. Puppies thrive on schedules, it teaches them that there is a time to eat, a time to play, and a time to do their business. If you follow the puppy potty training schedule I’ve shared with you to the T, in no time, your puppy will start giving out signals when it’s time for them to do their business.   

3. Pick a designated spot

As dogs get older, they like to sniff around and pick a spot to relieve themselves. However, at this stage, you’re still getting your pet acquainted with the idea that the place to go potty is outside the house. To drive home that message, it’s best to pick a designated spot and take your puppy there on a leash.

Besides, if you’re housebreaking a puppy who is yet not fully vaccinated, your vet may advise you against taking them outside the house. You will have to start potty training in the yard or on a balcony, depending on where you live. Having a designated spot can help minimize the mess.

4. Introduce a cue

Your pet needs to be able to understand what is expected of them when you take them out to the chosen potty spot. One of the most effective dog potty training methods to make that happen is introducing specific cues or phrases, like “Go pee-pee” or “Go potty”. When your puppy does, reinforce it by saying, “Yes, go pee-pee/potty”. Soon enough, they will know what they’re expected to do when you use the cue.

5. Reward your puppy when they eliminate outdoors

Positive reinforcement is the holy grail of dog training. So, it’s imperative that you reward your puppy with praise or treats or both (because why the hell not), every time they do their business outside. Now, this must be done immediately after your pet has finished and not after they come back inside, so make it a habit to carry a small treat whenever you take your puppy out.

6. Set a regular feeding schedule

Setting a dog/puppy feeding schedule is one of the most effective dog potty training methods because regular meal intake translates into a consistent potty schedule. This will make it easier for you to predict when your pet is likely to want to relieve themselves, plan outdoor trips accordingly, and thus minimize accidents inside the house

7. When you can’t supervise, confine

Dog potty training can start to seem like a full-time job, and after the first few days, you may find it hard to watch your pet like a hawk at all times. After all, pet parents also have jobs, errands, chores, and a whole life to take care of. Once you’ve spent about a week or so adhering to the potty training schedule rigorously, you can start confining them to a small space, like a crate, for the duration that you’re not able to actively watch them.

Crate training older dogs can also help with potty training. However, whether your pet is a puppy or an adult dog, make sure you never leave them confined in the crate or any other space for too long. If you’re at home but occupied with work, set reminders to help you adhere to your dog/puppy potty training schedule. If you’re away, at the office or running errands, make sure you designate someone to take your pup out at scheduled intervals.  

8. Accidents will happen

Even with all this training and intensive effort, your pet is likely to have a few accidents in the house. When that happens, do not yell, scream, scold your pet, or punish them in any other way. Every time your pet has an accident, you must:

• Firmly but without raising your voice let your puppy know that this is undesirable behavior. Do not go on a tirade or use long sentences. Just use cue words like “no” or “bad”
• Immediately take your pup to the designated spot, and reward them if they finish there
• Clean up the soiled area

Tools And Supplies for Potty Training

You don’t need much to get dog potty training underway. Even so, having these few supplies handy can be helpful:

Pee pads or potty training pads: These absorbent pads can be placed indoors, especially if you don’t have easy access to an outdoor potty area.

Crate: A crate can provide a safe and secure space for your puppy when you can’t supervise them. It can also help with potty training by encouraging them to hold it until they’re taken outside.

Treats: High-value treats can be used to reward your puppy for going potty in the right place.

Leash and collar: You’ll need a leash and collar to take your puppy outside for potty breaks.

Cleaning supplies: A good cleaning product can help remove any accidents that may occur.

Stain and odor remover: This can help remove any stains and odors from accidents.

Suggested Reading: Dog Training Toolkit: 18 Essentials

FAQs

1. How often should I take my puppy outside for potty breaks?

A general guideline is to plan potty breaks every 1-2 hours, depending on their age and size. Puppies have smaller bladders and may need to go more frequently. As your puppy grows older, you can gradually increase the time between potty breaks. Here’s a rough schedule:

• 8-12 weeks old: Every 1-2 hours
• 3-4 months old: Every 2-3 hours
• 5-6 months old: Every 3-4 hours
• 6+ months old: Every 4-6 hours

2. What should I do if my dog has an accident indoors?

If your dog has an accident indoors, do not get worked up. It’s part of the process. With patience and consistency, you can help your dog learn to go potty outside. To deal with accidents effectively you must stay calm, not punish your dog, clean up the mess promptly. If the accidents happen repeatedly, it can help to identify the cause and adjust the potty training routine accordingly.

3. How do I recognize when my puppy needs to go outside?

It’s important to observe your puppy’s cues. They likely need to go outside if they start whining, scratching at the door, or circling.

4. Can I use puppy pads for potty training?

Yes, pee pads or dog training pads are among the most effective dog potty training methods, especially if you don’t have ready access to an open area.

Takeaway

Dog potty training can be a rewarding or frustrating experience, depending on how you approach it. Consistency and patience are your biggest assets in this process. I hope these dog potty training tips help turn this into yet another bonding opportunity for you and your furry baby. Good luck!