Housebreaking requires a combination of creating a routine for your puppy, setting up a management system, and constant supervision. The more consistent you follow these guidelines, the quicker and more reliable your puppy will understand where to eliminate.

Understanding Puppy Behavior

Believe it or not, house-training is one of the easiest things to teach a dog because dogs are clean by nature and don’t like to soil their den area. Using this concept, begin by always supervising your puppy when she is not in her den/crate environment. The largest reason people fail with house-training is that they give the puppy more freedom than they can handle. An unsupervised pup is bound to make mistakes.

Think about a toddler — you wouldn’t leave a two-year-old unattended, would you? This potty training system works for dogs of all ages, not just puppies.

Set up a Feeding and Watering Schedule

Firstly, it is important to create a routine for your puppy. Set up a feeding and watering schedule, which might consist of feeding and watering your dog two to three times a day (ask your vet for proper feeding instructions). Also, provide water after you exercise your dog. Free access to food and water is not recommended until your dog is completely housebroken because you cannot regulate when they will have to eliminate.

By setting up a feeding and watering schedule, you will better predict when your puppy is going to eliminate. Ask the breeder or rescue organization where you got the puppy about their schedule if they already had one.

Take Your Puppy Our Regularly

The ideal time to take your puppy out is every two to three hours. Also, your first action in the morning should be to take your puppy out of their crate and bring them outside to the spot where you want them to eliminate. You may want to carry your puppy out if he is very young and you think they might try to eliminate inside the house. Take your puppy outside to eliminate about 20 minutes after each meal.

Use Training Commands

Tell your puppy to “go potty,” or whatever command you want to use, while he is eliminating. The goal is for your puppy to eventually eliminate on command, so the “go potty” phrase linked with the action of going to the bathroom will help him understand to eliminate on command later. Remember to praise your puppy when he is done.

Supervise Your Puppy

Proper supervision enables you to catch your puppy in the act of eliminating in the house and will be able to direct him to the appropriate spot to eliminate. Tying a leash from the puppy to you is a great way to ensure you always have an eye on them. Some elimination signs to look for are constant sniffing, spinning in a circle, and squatting.

If you catch your puppy eliminating in the house, startle him with a loud noise, pick him up immediately, and walk to his elimination spot. Catching your dog in action is an essential part of the housebreaking process. Do not punish your puppy, or he will be scared to eliminate in front of you.

Management System

A management system is any form of training used to prevent problem behavior. Creating a management system for your puppy is also a critical step in housebreaking and is often used when you cannot physically supervise your puppy.

So, what is the best way to potty train a puppy using a management system? Crate training is the most common management system used today. However, the crate should not be used as a punishment tool but as a way to know your dog will not eliminate in the house. Conversely, using a crate to replicate a den can help the dog feel safe and secure in their new environment.

This management system works on the principle that dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping areas, encouraging them to control their bladder and bowel movements until they’re taken outside. Most puppies can stay in a crate for their age in months plus one. So, a two-month-old puppy should be able to stay in a crate for three hours without elimination. Remember, this is a rule of thumb — every dog is different.

If the puppy or dog is given the opportunity to get out of his crate when necessary, it can aid your house-training efforts enormously. As the puppy is let out from the dog crate, take him out on a leash to the spot you will want him to eliminate. If he goes, praise him. If not, put him back into his crate and try again in about 15 minutes.

Make sure to choose a crate size that is appropriate to your dog. You don’t want to choose one so large that the puppy can eliminate and then get away from it. At a pet store, tell the salesperson what kind of dog you have and how old, and they will be able to help you select a crate that is the appropriate size.

Sample Potty Management Schedule

Here is an example of a potty management schedule. Everyone’s situation and each puppy can be different, so you need to make a schedule that will meet your needs.

Dealing With Common Puppy Problems

A puppy should be fully potty trained between 6 to 18 months, with one year being the average. Other house-training problems can still exist past that point. Proper training, coupled with supervision and management systems, will eliminate or minimize these problems.

Marking

Marking, performed by male dogs, is not a housebreaking issue. It is an issue related to instinctive behaviors. Your dog may be fully housetrained and would not think of peeing in the house, but to him, lifting his leg to scent mark is not the same as having to go to the bathroom.

While we think of dog urine as unpleasant, dogs use urine to leave their scent to communicate a message to other dogs. The message could be about whose territory it is, their social order, or mating availability. Dogs use urine marking to show their dominance or to claim something as belonging to them.

Submissive Urination

Submissive urination usually diminishes with training. Most importantly, remember that you are dealing with a sensitive dog with little confidence. When training commences, the submissive dog gains structure and guidance in life and becomes more confident. Hence, the submissive urination starts to diminish.

Potty Training Regression

Several factors can cause puppies to regress in potty training, from inconsistent rewards and long periods between potty breaks to stress and anxiety. Manage regression by revisiting basic training steps, like maintaining a consistent feeding and bathroom break schedule and rewarding your puppy for successful outdoor eliminations.

The Role of Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement offers an alternative to disciplining a puppy when potty training. This method involves rewarding your puppy with praise or treats when they successfully eliminate at the appropriate spot. It helps your puppy understand the expected behavior and encourages them to repeat it. It’s an effective training approach that builds a strong bond between you and your puppy, making the training process more enjoyable.

Reach out for Professional Help

You should seek professional help if you’re facing persistent difficulties or if your puppy’s behavior changes suddenly, including frequent accidents or signs of distress when attempting to eliminate.

At Sit Means Sit Austin, we offer specialized puppy training programs that make your pup confident and obedient. Contact us to learn more.