Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

How to potty-train a puppy in 4 easy steps

Debbie Clason
By

It’s a good thing they’re cute. Living with a puppy means a lot of sleepless nights as well as countless hours teaching her everything — from what her name is to how to walk on a leash to what constitutes an appropriate chew toy. And then, of course, there’s the issue of potty training.

No matter how cute they are, nobody likes to step in puddles or piles around the house. Fortunately, you can begin potty-training puppies as early as 12 weeks of age. And starting them earlier rather than later is always recommended. Wondering how to get started? Potty-training a puppy is easy if you follow this guide.

three tan and white puppies under a blanket
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to potty train a puppy

Create a process

Like most of us, puppies learn from repetitive action. It takes awhile for your little furball to understand what you’re asking her to do, so create a process and repeat it consistently.

Related

For example, ask a question with the same words and inflection, such as “do you have to go potty?” Then, follow up with the same set of actions. Those could be calling her to the door, putting the leash on her, walking her to a designated area, and then giving her a command — such as “go potty.”

Recommended Videos

Whatever you decide to do, make sure everyone in the family is aware of the process and willing to repeat it consistently. The more often the process is repeated, the less confused your puppy will be about what is expected of her.

Follow a schedule

Puppies have little bladders and small tummies. They need to eat several times a day, which means they have to potty several times a day, too. As much as possible, establish a schedule for eating, playing, and potty training that all members of the household can abide by.

For example:

  • Take them outside at the same time first thing in the morning and before bedtime.
  • Feed them twice a day at the same time and take them outside to potty shortly afterward.
  • Between feedings, take them outside frequently, either once an hour or after each playtime and napping session.

Tip: You might find that using a crate (or small box, depending on the size of your puppy) is an effective way to restrict her movement inside the house. Dogs typically don’t like to potty where they sleep, especially if the crate is large enough only for her to stand up, turn around, and lie down in comfortably, so crate training can help reduce the number of accidents she has in the house.

yellow lab puppy black crate
Vander Films/Unsplash

Use positive reinforcement

Each time your puppy complies with your request, reward her with a small treat and plenty of praise and attention. In a short time, she’ll develop a positive association with relieving herself outside. Yelling, punishing, or using force will only make her fear you, which can cause a multitude of behavioral problems as she grows older.

When she has an accident — and she will — clean it up thoroughly without making a fuss and take her outside immediately. Going forward, resolve to supervise her more carefully as you continue positively reinforcing her good behavior. The goal is to give your puppy every opportunity to be successful and positively reinforce the desired outcome so that she’s more likely to repeat it.

Practice patience

Above all, be patient with your puppy. She is just learning. Most puppies take several months to become completely housebroken, but every dog is different. Remember, most dogs don’t become adults until they are at least 2 years of age.

Be mindful of your attitude during the housebreaking process, too. Research shows our dogs can not only read our facial expressions but sense our emotions as well. A positive, upbeat demeanor will go a long way toward helping your puppy feel good about potty training as well as her relationship with you.

Besides, when you think about all the wonderful things having a dog brings to your life, spending the first few months training her how to be an obedient family member doesn’t seem like much to ask. With consistency, love, and lots of patience, you’ll not only potty-train your puppy the right way, but you’ll also create a receptive foundation for future obedience training.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Debbie Clason
Debbie Clason
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Debbie Clason's work has appeared in Family Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The Lutheran Witness, Massage Magazine…
How much water should your puppy drink in a day? Here are the factors to consider
Your dog's water intake depends on their age, size, and breed
Labrador puppy drinking from a bowl

Just like with you, drinking water is essential for your dog's good health. You might be surprised to learn that the cuddly bundle of fur you just welcomed into your home is actually made mostly of water. Among other things, water is an essential part of your puppy’s dietary needs. Even a 10% loss of body water can cause serious health complications. So just as it's crucial to observe the frequency of feeding your puppy, it's also important to make sure they are drinking enough. How much water should a puppy drink? It depends on a few factors.

Ideal water intake for a dog
The ideal water intake for a dog depends on their size and activity level. Most experts agree that, on average, a dog should consume 1 ounce of fluid per pound of body weight each day. That means a 45-pound dog should take in about 5.5 cups of fluid on a daily basis. Lactating mothers and puppies need more, as do dogs who are extremely active or live in hot, humid climates.

Read more
Video: Adorable dog thinks the TV wants to play fetch
This is why dogs love the game fetch so much
Beautiful couple watching television at home with their dog on sofa

Some pups just can't ever get enough playtime and will take every opportunity to chase a ball, even a virtual one. Videos of cats and dogs watching TV frequently catch our attention because they remind us how much more advanced our animals are than we really understand. Unlike us, though, this doggo doesn't quite get that he can't jump into the action on the screen, sadly for him. Watch this video of a dog playing fetch, or at least attempting to.

The video opens with a shot of a person throwing a football in a yard on the TV. The player tosses the ball, and it goes offscreen as we pan to a beloved dog watching it excitedly. He tries to follow the football, not realizing that it exists in a completely separate time and place. He looks back and forth, seeming to question his pet parent about the laws of physics, not understanding where the chaseable football went. It ends with the sound of his delighted person laughing in the background. The caption sums it up perfectly with: Huh? Mom, where’d it go?

Read more
This is the ultimate week-by-week puppy training schedule every new pet parent needs
A puppy training schedule to follow
Woman feeds a puppy as the pup gives her his paw

When you first bring home a new puppy, you’ll have so many firsts to look forward to. Some milestones — the first accident, for example — aren’t quite as cute as the others, so that’s why you’ll want to start training with your pup as soon as possible. Understanding puppy training stages will help you break down all your goals into realistic steps, making you and your new best friend more likely to succeed.
Remember, training your pup is just one important aspect of their well-being. Ensure you’re taking care of their diet, health, and happiness, too. Good luck and keep reading to learn about a puppy training schedule.

Here's your ideal puppy training schedule for puppies 8 weeks of age and younger
It’s important to establish a routine as soon as you bring your puppy home. Not only will this ensure that you and your pup have every need met, but it also will let your new dog become more familiar with their environment. As dog trainer Ken McCann said in his YouTube video guide for puppy training, “You’ll be setting them up for success,” especially in potty training. Make sure to supervise while they're outside, too.
Here's another idea: Luring your new pup to you with a delicious treat is a great first step toward bonding and training. At this point, they're working purely on instinct, but they're learning the reward value of treats as well as a praise word — something like “yes” or “good” to let them know they're doing well. Make sure to use this word as you continue training!
This also gets your pup used to working for a treat, which builds motivation and confidence. Negative reinforcement won’t teach anything but a feeling of unease at this age, so it’s a good idea to focus on rewards instead (and always). Now that they know that following you gets that reward, they'll soon be ready to move on to the next stage.

Read more