Puppy Potty Training Made Simple

Many of us love the idea of a cheerful, playful puppy, but reality often checks in when we’re cleaning up puppy mess. While potty training difficulty differs between dog breeds, there are a few tips that can often be applied to potty training any dog breed.

The most important thing you can do for your pup at this time is to establish a steady routine. Without the adaptation of a routine to daily life, a puppy can become confused and may develop anxiety issues later in life. Begin by setting certain times in which you feed him, take him to potty, and sleep. Try to stick to the same general time every day.

Although some people are adverse to the idea, others find that keeping a pallet of newspaper near an exit (one your puppy will soon associate with the outdoors). Although we do our best, we don’t always pay attention or are in a position to let our dog outside-especially at nighttime. This is a positive alternative for your puppy to use until he develops better bladder control.

In order to get a better idea of when to expect potty time to come around, you should know that a puppy’s stomach and bladder are very small. When you have fed/watered your pup, expect him to be ready to potty roughly 15 – 20 minutes later. Try your very best to have him in the proper potty environment when the time comes. It will not only establish a dependable routine, but will also familiarize your pup with the correct place to potty.

You might find that you can save yourself a lot of unproductive potty trips if you establish separate times to potty and play. You might take your pup outside to potty, then after a successful trip, take him inside. Wait as long as you like before making a separate trip outside for him to play. By separating these tasks, you’ll greatly minimize your pup’s confusion.

This period in your puppy’s life is a great one to start administering praise and discipline techniques. Many people prefer “good boy/girl” and “no,” which can be still be used when your dog is older. Although puppies need a lot of repetition, routine, and firmness, remember that your puppy will soon grow up, so enjoy his puppyhood while you can!