Potty Training Your Puppy
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Keeping your expectations in check when training your puppy to "do business" in the correct area, will go a long way in helping you and your pup avoid stress.
Many people do not know at what age a puppy should be expected to hold their potty and for how long. We are asked frequently, 'how long can she hold it in the crate?' Well, it depends on the puppy, her age, your training/consistency, and how long she's been in your house.
Many people also do not know that puppies have not learned how to go to the bathroom themselves until they are about 4 weeks of age. Yes, that's right, mom and the breeder will help the puppies eliminate by rubbing them. Mom does the clean up work because the puppies cannot see and hear, much less walk anywhere. By 4 weeks of age, they are just starting to try and go potty themselves, and even then, they can only go so far off on their own. By 5 weeks of age, they can go off to a papered area or tray to do their business, but they have no consistency. Their plumbing has only been working for a week! We don't expect much from the puppies during week 5. During week 5, we constantly put puppies on a potty tray when they are going to eliminate. This way, they learn to go on the tray, in a certain 'spot'. Sometimes, having a 'spot' that is just for the puppy to potty on, and not play, will help speed up potty training. Puppies, by natural instinct, do not want to mess in their den. They just have to realize the territory lines of their den.
During week 6, we take the tray outside and they learn to go outside because the tray is there. We stop using potty wee pads by 5 weeks old because the puppies love to shred them at that point - and they are no fun to clean up when they are shredded everywhere. Keep in mind, puppies have only been eliminating without assistance for not even two weeks. They are still pottying in random spots - with some puppies being quicker and more fastidious than others to catch on. Some very young puppies are meticulous about eliminating on the tray or outside, but this is not the norm.
During week 6, they learn to potty outside (if it's not a winter storm) or be more consistent about going on the tray. At nighttime, we are leaving the doors off the crates and they have access to the tray while they are in a pen (see our page on crate and pen training here). We find that morning cleanups are now just on and around the tray, versus all over the place like before.
Week 7 and 8 is just time for them to grow and learn to be more consistent and hold it a little bit. Our puppies know by then that they should use the tray or go potty outside.
Now, with that said, our expectations are not high at this point. They are only 8 weeks old. They are just babies! Infants just moving into toddlerhood! And, their life has been very routine. They go outside during certain times, in the same spot. They eat their food at the exact same times, and then they go out to potty, in the same spot. It is important to establish an eating, pottying, and sleeping routine for your puppy! They are creatures of habit and sticking to a routine will significantly help you with housebreaking your puppy.
So, when a puppy goes to their new home, we hope you keep your expectations in check. They don't know that the house you live in is their new den and that they are staying, and not just at summer camp. Imagine being a kid at summer camp, just a toddler, and you don't know where the outhouses are....where are you going to go? Yep, wherever is closest - because you know you waited until the last second to even look for the bathroom because you were busy playing with your new friends. :-)
They don't know who you are and why they are with you; and their body is adjusting to new sights, sounds, and maybe even new food and time schedules. Meanwhile, their digestive system has been working, without help, for only 4 weeks! Imagine that - you have a brand new digestive system, you are the size of a rabbit with your bladder relative size, and you just traveled to a brand new place - away from your sisters and brothers and the only place/home that you have ever known. And your mind is that of an infant/toddler. What expectations should we have of that?
Your puppy will potty in your house if they are young. At 8 weeks old, they are not capable of understanding about holding it (in anyone's den, not just their own) and they don't understand that this 1,000-5,000 square foot home is supposed to be their 'little' den.
Yes, we have taught them to go outside and/or in a certain spot. When your puppy's feet hit the grass after a nap, you better believe they are going to potty. Now, it is up to you to get your baby to where they need to be to learn this new spot that you want them to go at.
Expect their stomachs to be nervous during the first few days that they are with you. Know how you get nervous when you are on a trip and you know no one, you don't speak the same language, and not only do you not know where the bathrooms are, you don't even know how to read a sign that shows you where the bathrooms are? And then you go in to a place that you think is the bathroom, but you see the 'toilet' looks different than the one you're used to. (can you tell we've been to China?) On top of that, you are hoping to find some Pepto Bismol because your stomach is a mess from being nervous.
It is up to you to keep your expectations in check. Use the times when they potty in your home as learning experiences. Do not yell or punish the puppy. Please remember that he is just a baby and you are being unfair, if you start yelling at a baby that is trying to learn and understand a new world and language. Karma will get you. ;-)
So, when can you expect more consistency? It does depend on the dog. Around 10 weeks, they have a little bit stronger systems (and understanding) to 'hold it' longer. 12 weeks is even better. Your puppy will need consistent potty training until 6 months of age! You WILL have setbacks. You'll think your puppy has it all figured out and will be able to hold it, and then all of a sudden, he or she will pee or poo - sometimes right after you brought them back in the house from going potty outside!
It can be frustrating, but it is much less frustrating if you realize how their little systems work - by routine! Take their water away at 8 o'clock at night. Keep them on a schedule. Don't change their food all the time. Don't give them a big variety of treats. Use the same door for going outside to 'do business'. Wait until they are 5 to 8 months to start experimenting with food and different treats. Use the crate (click here for our crate training tips) to help them learn to "hold" it. They usually stop using the crate/needing the crate by the time they are a year old, but pottying training is quicker with a crate, so it's worth the investment.
Another tip is to try hanging up "puppy potty bells". These are bells that you can hang on the door that your puppy uses to go outside to "do business". When training your puppy to use these bells, you take your puppy's paw and hit the bells before you head outside with your pup to do potty. Eventually, they get that they are supposed to hit the bells when they want to go outside. There will be a stage where they will just hit the bells for the fun of it, but still take them outside, as this stage will pass.
If the 1 year to 7 years is the correct ratio rule for the age of dogs, just think, at 6 months old, your dog is only 3.5 years old!! Do you expect a 3 year old human toddler to be perfect, without consistency and supervision?
Keep your expectations in line with reality and both you and your puppy will be less stressed during a crucial time of learning.
Also, be consistent - in the beginning, take your puppy out every couple of hours and give them a treat if they do business. Say "do business" as a code word for them to eventually learn you mean go potty. Use the same door, and area, every time, until your puppy gets it. Never scold, and always celebrate the successes.
Many people do not know at what age a puppy should be expected to hold their potty and for how long. We are asked frequently, 'how long can she hold it in the crate?' Well, it depends on the puppy, her age, your training/consistency, and how long she's been in your house.
Many people also do not know that puppies have not learned how to go to the bathroom themselves until they are about 4 weeks of age. Yes, that's right, mom and the breeder will help the puppies eliminate by rubbing them. Mom does the clean up work because the puppies cannot see and hear, much less walk anywhere. By 4 weeks of age, they are just starting to try and go potty themselves, and even then, they can only go so far off on their own. By 5 weeks of age, they can go off to a papered area or tray to do their business, but they have no consistency. Their plumbing has only been working for a week! We don't expect much from the puppies during week 5. During week 5, we constantly put puppies on a potty tray when they are going to eliminate. This way, they learn to go on the tray, in a certain 'spot'. Sometimes, having a 'spot' that is just for the puppy to potty on, and not play, will help speed up potty training. Puppies, by natural instinct, do not want to mess in their den. They just have to realize the territory lines of their den.
During week 6, we take the tray outside and they learn to go outside because the tray is there. We stop using potty wee pads by 5 weeks old because the puppies love to shred them at that point - and they are no fun to clean up when they are shredded everywhere. Keep in mind, puppies have only been eliminating without assistance for not even two weeks. They are still pottying in random spots - with some puppies being quicker and more fastidious than others to catch on. Some very young puppies are meticulous about eliminating on the tray or outside, but this is not the norm.
During week 6, they learn to potty outside (if it's not a winter storm) or be more consistent about going on the tray. At nighttime, we are leaving the doors off the crates and they have access to the tray while they are in a pen (see our page on crate and pen training here). We find that morning cleanups are now just on and around the tray, versus all over the place like before.
Week 7 and 8 is just time for them to grow and learn to be more consistent and hold it a little bit. Our puppies know by then that they should use the tray or go potty outside.
Now, with that said, our expectations are not high at this point. They are only 8 weeks old. They are just babies! Infants just moving into toddlerhood! And, their life has been very routine. They go outside during certain times, in the same spot. They eat their food at the exact same times, and then they go out to potty, in the same spot. It is important to establish an eating, pottying, and sleeping routine for your puppy! They are creatures of habit and sticking to a routine will significantly help you with housebreaking your puppy.
So, when a puppy goes to their new home, we hope you keep your expectations in check. They don't know that the house you live in is their new den and that they are staying, and not just at summer camp. Imagine being a kid at summer camp, just a toddler, and you don't know where the outhouses are....where are you going to go? Yep, wherever is closest - because you know you waited until the last second to even look for the bathroom because you were busy playing with your new friends. :-)
They don't know who you are and why they are with you; and their body is adjusting to new sights, sounds, and maybe even new food and time schedules. Meanwhile, their digestive system has been working, without help, for only 4 weeks! Imagine that - you have a brand new digestive system, you are the size of a rabbit with your bladder relative size, and you just traveled to a brand new place - away from your sisters and brothers and the only place/home that you have ever known. And your mind is that of an infant/toddler. What expectations should we have of that?
Your puppy will potty in your house if they are young. At 8 weeks old, they are not capable of understanding about holding it (in anyone's den, not just their own) and they don't understand that this 1,000-5,000 square foot home is supposed to be their 'little' den.
Yes, we have taught them to go outside and/or in a certain spot. When your puppy's feet hit the grass after a nap, you better believe they are going to potty. Now, it is up to you to get your baby to where they need to be to learn this new spot that you want them to go at.
Expect their stomachs to be nervous during the first few days that they are with you. Know how you get nervous when you are on a trip and you know no one, you don't speak the same language, and not only do you not know where the bathrooms are, you don't even know how to read a sign that shows you where the bathrooms are? And then you go in to a place that you think is the bathroom, but you see the 'toilet' looks different than the one you're used to. (can you tell we've been to China?) On top of that, you are hoping to find some Pepto Bismol because your stomach is a mess from being nervous.
It is up to you to keep your expectations in check. Use the times when they potty in your home as learning experiences. Do not yell or punish the puppy. Please remember that he is just a baby and you are being unfair, if you start yelling at a baby that is trying to learn and understand a new world and language. Karma will get you. ;-)
So, when can you expect more consistency? It does depend on the dog. Around 10 weeks, they have a little bit stronger systems (and understanding) to 'hold it' longer. 12 weeks is even better. Your puppy will need consistent potty training until 6 months of age! You WILL have setbacks. You'll think your puppy has it all figured out and will be able to hold it, and then all of a sudden, he or she will pee or poo - sometimes right after you brought them back in the house from going potty outside!
It can be frustrating, but it is much less frustrating if you realize how their little systems work - by routine! Take their water away at 8 o'clock at night. Keep them on a schedule. Don't change their food all the time. Don't give them a big variety of treats. Use the same door for going outside to 'do business'. Wait until they are 5 to 8 months to start experimenting with food and different treats. Use the crate (click here for our crate training tips) to help them learn to "hold" it. They usually stop using the crate/needing the crate by the time they are a year old, but pottying training is quicker with a crate, so it's worth the investment.
Another tip is to try hanging up "puppy potty bells". These are bells that you can hang on the door that your puppy uses to go outside to "do business". When training your puppy to use these bells, you take your puppy's paw and hit the bells before you head outside with your pup to do potty. Eventually, they get that they are supposed to hit the bells when they want to go outside. There will be a stage where they will just hit the bells for the fun of it, but still take them outside, as this stage will pass.
If the 1 year to 7 years is the correct ratio rule for the age of dogs, just think, at 6 months old, your dog is only 3.5 years old!! Do you expect a 3 year old human toddler to be perfect, without consistency and supervision?
Keep your expectations in line with reality and both you and your puppy will be less stressed during a crucial time of learning.
Also, be consistent - in the beginning, take your puppy out every couple of hours and give them a treat if they do business. Say "do business" as a code word for them to eventually learn you mean go potty. Use the same door, and area, every time, until your puppy gets it. Never scold, and always celebrate the successes.
ITEMS FOR POTTY TRAINING:
These are the litter pan and the paper pellets that we use for potty training (any puppy, any age, can learn to use it - just every time they wake up from a nap, pop them into it and when they go, celebrate with a treat):
Please note that the pine pellets available, many people are allergic to because they have some type of hay content, and hay allergies are common.
These pellets are easy for them to transfer to going potty outside because they smell a bit like grass. They are super clean, and keep paws nice, dry, and clean. It is great if it is storming weather outside, to have a puppy that is used to a litter pan. They are smart - they know to transfer to go potty outside, but this is great for when they are too little to hold it that long, and if they do have trouble going outside, you just start taking/leaving the pan outside! Be creative with your training - don't let obstacles stump you - there is a way to train every puppy!
Please note that the pine pellets available, many people are allergic to because they have some type of hay content, and hay allergies are common.
These pellets are easy for them to transfer to going potty outside because they smell a bit like grass. They are super clean, and keep paws nice, dry, and clean. It is great if it is storming weather outside, to have a puppy that is used to a litter pan. They are smart - they know to transfer to go potty outside, but this is great for when they are too little to hold it that long, and if they do have trouble going outside, you just start taking/leaving the pan outside! Be creative with your training - don't let obstacles stump you - there is a way to train every puppy!
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These are the types of crates that we use. Because of safety reasons, we do not use metal crates. Some puppies can panic, get their legs or teeth stuck, and break them.
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Some puppies do use wee pads just fine. Others will shred them. Up to you if you want to give them a try.
Every time you take your puppy outside, put their paw on these bells that you hang from the door that you are going to use to go outside:
These pens are invaluable for keeping your puppy out of trouble. We call it the puppy apartment. You put your puppy crate, toys, litter pan, etc, in here, and they can be here whenever you can't keep a close watch on them. Get one tall enough that they don't jump out, but not so tall that you can't easily get over it. You should also consider buying from Home Depot or Lowes a 6 x 8' piece of linoleum to put under the pen.
Poop bags and poop scooper - the joy of cleaning up after your pupper!
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You will want to treat your puppy every time you have success. Treats that are not wet, easy to store, and easy to chew up fast, are ideal. We use these Pupford ones that are just freeze dried meat:
You can find a more comprehensvie Puppy Supply Shopping List here - all the items you need in one convenient list: Shopping List
Additionally, most puppies are nervous going to a new home. Even if they don't act like it, they still could be. Their immune systems are low, and they could easily get parasites.
I recommend everyone taking a puppy home to buy in advance some canned pumpkin, plain. Start day one putting it on their food, like a big spoonful. You can even give it as a treat in their Kong if they like it enough. This will help firm up their poop and that means, easier for them to hold it.
I recommend everyone taking a puppy home to buy in advance some canned pumpkin, plain. Start day one putting it on their food, like a big spoonful. You can even give it as a treat in their Kong if they like it enough. This will help firm up their poop and that means, easier for them to hold it.
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The Kongs wash easily in the dishwasher. You can also fill them with plain greek yogurt, and put them in the freezer - some pups love frozen stuff - it also helps soothe sore gums from all the teething they have going on.
I have used this probiotic with much success. We use it daily on all of our dogs/pups' food. It really helps with consistency - and that is what you need to help a puppy learn how to hold it. If a dog has an accident in the house, and they are fully potty trained, it is either because you missed letting them out on time, or they are having a sick / sore belly ache. Probiotics really do help.