Potty Training Your Puppy or Dog

House training your puppy or dog can seem daunting but, with the proper steps, you can potty train your pup in no time! Amber Aquart (@amberaquart), Certified Animal Trainer & Pet Lifestyle Expert, shares her top 5 tips to potty training!

Tip 1: Set a schedule for your puppy

Plan out when they eat, take naps, play, and go out to potty! Taking your puppy out on a consistent schedule will help you know when they need to go potty and make it easier to house train them. (As a general rule, take your puppy out about every two hours, but every 30 minutes when they are awake and playing.)

Tip 2: Don't allow your puppy to have free reign of the house until after they have gone potty

Crate training is an essential piece of this potty training method. Once your puppy has done their business outside, that’s when you can allow them to play in the house and get a little bit more freedom. If they have not gone potty recently, put them back in their crate for 5-10 minutes and try again! Be sure to read this guide to crate training for more information.

Tip 3: Reward your puppy every time that they go potty outside

Make sure going potty outside is a fun thing for your puppy! Encourage them with praise and their favorite treats every time they go in the proper spot.

Tip 4: When taking your puppy outside to train them to go potty, don't walk them

Plant your feet and remain stationary. Keep them on a leash and take them to the same spot every time. Teach them that potty time and play time outside are separate.

Tip 5: Never scold your puppy or use any sort of punishment for accidents inside the house

If your puppy has an accident, try to interrupt them in a way that won’t scare them, such as saying “puppy puppy!” and then run them outside as quickly as you can. Make sure to always praise them for going outside.

Looking for more puppy tips?

Tasty treats like Crav'n Bac'n Bites training treats can make potty training un for your puppy! Learn more about the most important things to teach your puppy and choosing a diet for your puppy.

---