How Do I Potty Train My Puppy?
Teach the puppy where the toilet is.
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Why Is My Puppy Peeing in the House?
- Puppies often realize they need to go only seconds before they go.
- Any place where they have peed before can start to smell like an acceptable toilet.
- Accidents mean your puppy hasn’t learned where you want the toilet to be.
What Should I Avoid?
- Don't call the puppy to the pee/poop you found and scold them. You are teaching them not to come to you.
- Don't turn toilet trips into playtime.
- Don't let the puppy roam the house unsupervised.
In housebreaking, do not call the puppy and scold for accidents on the floor in those situations you are scolding the puppy for coming to you.
An essential step in house training is teaching the puppy where you want the puppy’s toilet to be.
What Should I Do?
- Choose a toilet area outdoors.
- Take your puppy there on leash.
- Praise immediately after they go.
- Repeat every hour when possible until you have learned the puppy’s bio-schedule.
- Keep the puppy with you indoors.
Should I Use a Bell?
A bell can be a helpful housebreaking tool.
- Teach your puppy to touch the bell before every trip outside to the toilet.
- Eventually the puppy learns:
Bell → Outside → Toilet
instead of
Bell → Outside → Playtime
Pee Pads or Outside?
Pee pads can help when:
- You live in a high-rise apartment.
- Weather is dangerous.
- The puppy is not fully vaccinated.
- Mobility issues make outdoor trips difficult.
Just remember that pee pads are also a toilet location that must be taught.
How We Help
Housebreaking is one of the first skills taught in our Puppy Kindergarten classes.
Ready to get started? Learn more about Puppy Kindergarten.
About the Author
Ann Gafke has spent more than 50 years helping families understand why dogs behave as they do before teaching them how to adopt appropriative behaviors. As founder of DogSchooling in Columbia, Missouri, she has worked with hundreds of puppies, family dogs, therapy dogs, service dogs, and dogs with reactive or aggressive behaviors.
Why Families Choose DogSchooling
- More than 50 years serving Mid-Missouri families
- Positive, reward-based training
- Weekly classes with private coaching included
- Video feedback between classes
- Puppy, family, therapy, service, and reactive dog programs