How to Potty Train a Puppy

Co-authored by David Levin

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

It's an exciting time when you bring your new puppy home, but a new pet also comes with challenges. One of the first and biggest challenges that you may face is that of potty training. Some puppies will learn this quickly, while others will struggle with it for a while. During this training period, always remember to be patient, remain calm, and be consistent. If you stay positive and follow these guidelines, potty training can be a simple process.

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Introduce your new pup to its new home , family and their role. Just like when you are new to a place or group, your new pet may be bursting with curiosity, excitement, fear or joy. Now is the best time to lay out the foundation for a good and pleasant relationship with your pet. For a puppy to settle in and learn to trust and respect you and everyone at home, it is very important to establish your expectations of your puppy and be consistent with them. ^{[1]
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- Only show your pet the areas where they are allowed to be. Initially do not let your new pet roam and explore on their own, especially, if you don't want them to do their business there. For example, if the upstairs area or bedrooms are off limits, close them off and do not allow your puppy to explore there.
2
Keep an eye on your puppy. While potty training, it is ideal to keep your puppy where you can watch it at all times. This will allow you to look for early signs that it needs to go and help to prevent accidents. Signs when they might go are when they start circling, scratching, and sniffing. ^{[2]
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- Some of the signs to look for include whining, circling, sniffing, barking, or any sudden behavior change. When you see any of these signs, immediately lead the dog outside.
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3
Choose a potty zone. It is best to pick a certain area outside and take your dog there every time it needs to go. You should pick a spot that is not visited by other dogs and is easy to clean up.
- Your puppy will remember the smell of urine and start to associate the area as its "bathroom."
- Pick an area that is easy to get to quickly. You will be visiting this area frequently during the training process.
- Until your puppy has had its third set of vaccines, you should avoid areas where other dogs go or have recently gone, such as parks. It’s a good idea to discuss this with your veterinarian.
- When taking your dog outside, it's a good idea to keep it on a leash so you can teach it to go in a specific location. You can also more easily keep an eye on the dog, so you'll know when it is done.
4
Choose a specific sound or word command. Every time you take your puppy outside to their area, use the word "go," or pick another command. This will teach it to go in that specific location. ^{[3]
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- The dog will begin to recognize the command and understand what you want it to do. This will help the dog to learn when and where it should be urinating or defecating.
- Use that command only when you want them to go. This will avoid confusion
5
Understand your puppy's particular breed behavior and needs. Research your dogs breed traits and special needs or any behavior that you should be aware of and look out for. For example, If your puppy is a tiny little chihuahua, their bladder will be very small and they will need to urinate more frequently; accidents will happen even if they are well trained.
- Although most dogs are highly intelligent, they don't think like humans do. It is often a problem when we expect them to understand simple command words or tell you that they need to pee or poop. For this reason, you must be willing to understand how they communicate with you and study the clues they give and get from you.
6
Praise successes. Always praise your puppy every time it uses the appropriate area. Use a cheerful, happy voice that lets the dog know it has pleased you. ^{[4]
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- Being consistent with this will give them an emotional incentive to do their business in the correct place.
7
Make potty time a relaxing and rewarding event for your puppy to look forward to. To encourage your dog to patiently hold and wait until you allow them to go they must first enjoy it.
- Going out for a walk and relieving themselves should be an awarding experience every dog should enjoy.
- Do not interrupt your dog if they are doing their business where you want them to go. Allow them to relax, loosen up and relieve themselves.
- You can also give your puppy a small treat afterward to help encourage it. For some dogs, though, this can also be a distraction. ^{[5]
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Interrupt accidents. If you catch your puppy in the act of urinating or defecating indoors, make a sudden noise such as a clap, and say the word "no." Then, quickly lead the dog outside. ^{[6]
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- You want to startle but not to scare the dog. The intent here is to get their immediate attention and know that you disapprove marking or pooping indoors. You also want to be consistent, using the same word and/or noise each time.
- You may not get the same result if the dog is defecating, because most puppies will not be able to stop this. But, you should still do the same thing as part of the teaching process.
- Never punish your puppy for accidents. The dog does not know it is doing anything wrong. Do not force your puppy to smell or keep reminding them of their actions. They will not remember and could possibly become scared of you.
- When you use punishment to stop them from going indoors it can confuse your dog and even make it worse. Your dog could only understand that you get mad when you see them potty and will hide from you when they need to go, most likely in places that are hard to reach for you.
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Clean up accidents right away. When your dog has an accident inside, it is important to clean the area thoroughly. This will help prevent the dog from wanting to go again in the same place. ^{[7]
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Expert Interview. 19 December 2019.}
- Use an enzymatic cleaner, not one that contains ammonia. This will help to get rid of the odor and the dog's attraction to the area.
- Urine has a strong smell of ammonia that attracts dogs to smell and mark with their own. For the latter, some training pads are sprayed with ammonia to encourage a puppy to go there.
- You can also use white vinegar to counteract the smell of ammonia.

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Keeping Your Dog Close

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Limit the dog's area. It will be easier to keep a close eye on your puppy if you limit the dog to a certain area of your home. You can do this by closing doors and using baby gates. ^{[8]
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- If your dog is confined to a smaller area, you will be able to observe it constantly to determine if it needs to go outside.
- The area should be large enough for the puppy to play in, but small enough that you can see it at all times. A small room or sectioned off area of a room is ideal.
- Be sure to pick an area that has fast, easy access to the outdoors. A room with a door leading straight outside is best.
- Picking an area that is easy to clean is also a good idea. There will be accidents in the early stages of training.
2
Keep your puppy on a short leash. ^{[9]
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David Levin
Dog Training Coach

Expert Interview. 19 December 2019.} Keeping the dog on a leash, even while indoors, allows you to move more freely while still keeping a close eye on your puppy.
- With your dog on a leash, you can move from room to room and keep your puppy with you. This way, there will never be a time you can't see it.
- Having the dog already on a leash also means that you can more quickly take it outside when necessary.
3
Use a crate when you can't watch the dog. When you leave home or are unable to watch your puppy, using a crate can be an effective way to help potty train. ^{[10]
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David Levin
Dog Training Coach

Expert Interview. 19 December 2019.} Your puppy will learn to view the crate as its "home" and will be reluctant to soil their area.
- The crate should be just large enough for the dog to stand up, lie down and turn around. If the crate is too large, the dog may use one area as a bathroom and another area for sleeping.
- Limit the amount of time that the dog spends in the crate to less than four hours at any one time.

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Establishing a Routine

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Be consistent. Being consistent is one of the keys to potty training. When taking your puppy outside it is best to always use the same door. You should always take the dog to the same spot and use the same command to help it to associate the area with the appropriate action. ^{[11]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Take your puppy outside first thing in the morning and after every meal. Take your dog outside anytime you come home or take them out of the crate. Let your puppy out after playing or drinking water, after napping, and just before bedtime.
- With very young puppies, and in the early stages of training, you can also try taking the dog out every 20 minutes or so, when possible. This may help to avoid accidents and also give you more chances to praise your dog for going in the right place.
- Regular walks can also help to encourage the dog to go.
Pay close attention to how frequently your puppy needs to urinate. This will help you to learn their routine and predict when they need to take a trip outside.
3
Schedule trips outside around meal times. ^{[12]
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David Levin
Dog Training Coach

Expert Interview. 19 December 2019.} Keeping a regular feeding schedule will help with a regular potty schedule. Puppies will usually need to go immediately after eating. ^{[13]
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- Taking your pup out after every meal will help to reinforce the idea of where they are supposed to go while minimizing the mess.

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Can an 8-week old puppy be potty trained?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Pups start to get an awareness of a full bladder at around 8 weeks of age. Before that, they have no ability to control when or where they pee. However, awareness is the first step on a long journey, so, by all means, start potty training but don't expect too much.

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What is the easiest way to potty train a puppy?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Consistency is crucial. This may mean taking time off work to be there to take the pup outside every 20-30 minutes when they are awake. Crate training will also help the 'penny drop' as it teaches the pup to hold on until taken outside. Then, be sure to stay with the pup in the yard so you are there to reinforce how clever they are when they do go in the right place.

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How do you train a puppy to pee and poop outside?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Choose an appropriate toilet spot and take the pup there after a meal when they are more likely to need to go. Ignore the pup, so they don't get distracted, and wait for them to squat. Then praise the pup and say their cue words, such as 'Toilet'. Keep taking them to the toilet spot every 20-30 minutes when they're awake.

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Keep an eye on your dog when you let it out to go to the bathroom. Give it a treat when it uses the right area to reinforce the behavior.

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Don’t go inside till the puppy goes to the bathroom. Going inside too early will show the puppy that it doesn't matter where they use the bathroom.

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Act enthusiastic and show the trick to the puppy. For example, if you sit then say sit, they will do the same.

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If training your puppy to use potty pads and they miss the pad, use a paper towel to wipe up any accidents and place it on the pad. The scent will attract them to use the correct spot.
While house training your puppy, prevent them from watching you clean up any indoor accidents. This can encourage continuing the behavior since they see you tending to their mess.
Never punish potty training mistakes by rubbing a puppy's nose in an accident. This can scare them and cause mistrust. Just use a simple "no" or ignore them briefly so they learn.
Take your puppy on regular morning and afternoon walks to encourage going outside. If they don't go on the first walk, give them food and water and try again soon after.
When you take your puppy outside to potty, stay with them and give treats and praise when they go in the right spot. The scent will encourage repeat potty trips there.
Choose an intelligent breed and train them to signal at the door when they need to potty. Praise them when they paw or whine at the door and then take them out.

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Warnings

Keeping a puppy tied to a leash when unintended can be dangerous.

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There are several medical issues that can interfere with potty training. Dogs with a urinary tract infection (UTI) will urinate frequently in small amounts, and will not have much control. You may also notice excessive licking of their genital region. If you notice a change in the consistency of their stool, the cause could be a gastrointestinal issue. Some common causes in puppies are intestinal parasites, having eaten something not in their normal diet, or a sudden food change. If a food change is necessary, do it gradually over 5 to 7 days. If you suspect any of these issues could be a problem, you should consult with your veterinarian.

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There also behavioral issues that can interfere with successful training. Urine marking is a normal dog behavior in which the animal will hike their leg and mark a certain area or object. With separation anxiety, the puppy may have accidents inside when you leave them at home alone. Some puppies become nervous or upset when their owners are away. Other puppies have a submissive or excitement urination problem. This causes them to spontaneously urinate during certain activities. Discuss these possibilities with your veterinarian or trainer if you're not getting positive results.

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