I have a couple of years of experience in dog house training, also known as potty training, which is one of the most important training aspects for dogs or puppies. If you have a little puppy and you want them to be trained to use a specific place in the house or outdoors for their toilet needs, then you should follow some instructions and put in a little more effort when training your puppy.

There is no shortcut for puppy training; everyone with a puppy has to go through the same process. However, some puppies are easier to train, while others may be quite a challenge. You have to follow basic house training guidelines and be patient.

Confirmed to One Spot

Remember, dogs are already accustomed to pottying all around the house, which is why sometimes a house smells like a urinal. So, at first, you need to establish a routine for their feeding time. Every time after your furry friend eats or drinks, take them to the place where you want to train them for pottying. It can be inside your house, like the toilet, or outside in the garden. Be aware that the place you choose should be clean enough.

How Much Space They’ll Need

This depends on the size of your dog. They should be able to move easily and turn around. Generally, for potty training, a 5-foot-wide length is sufficient for medium-sized dogs.

Keep the Area Clean

Like humans, dogs also love clean areas for their business. But some people clean the area only after a day, which can be dangerous. Many bacteria and bad smells can develop in that spot, potentially harming your little furry friend. Please clean the area with pet-safe pot or pad cleaners. After that, use clean water. Avoid using alcohol to clean the place, as alcohol can cause skin infections and rashes.

Tips for Potty Training Puppies

 

Read Body Language of Dogs

Observe your furry friend’s emotions every time after feeding. If your dog is on high alert, they aren’t thinking about whether they need to pee or poop. If signs are obvious, such as barking, scratching at the door, or going to a corner in the house, it means they are thinking about peeing or pooping.

Rules for Training

Be Patient

This is the most difficult part of dog training. Many owners lose their patience and sometimes lash out at their dogs. This is completely wrong. There is no miracle of training, and no time limitation. Everyone goes through it. Some dogs are trained in a few weeks, while others take months. It totally depends on your dog’s age and your effort. I always suggest people start any training at the age of 3 or 4 weeks. At this age, they are open to learning and catch on easily.

Give Treats

Treats are a very important part of training. When you try to teach your pet something, give them a treat. The treat must be different from their regular food. When your pet follows your instruction the first time, reward them with a treat and repeat the command. This way, they learn that if they do this thing, they will receive food. Do not hurt your pet while training them.

Problems When Training

Going Outside the Potty Spot

If you have a puppy, their potty holding time increases every month. An adult dog can hold it for 5 or 6 hours. So, if you have a little puppy, take them outside every 1 or 2 hours. When they pee or poop in the same place, they will start associating that place with their toilet. Do not take them to random places for training.

Not Peeing

Sometimes dogs do not poop or pee in the spot you take them to and try to go to a different place. In this case, try to identify why they are doing this. There are several reasons; one could be that the spot is not clean. Sometimes owners take their pups to the spot immediately after a meal, and in this case, the pet may not need to pee. In this situation, give them time—at least 30 minutes for adults or more. For puppies, 30 minutes is generally enough.

Make Plans for When You’re Away

Sometimes owners leave their pets alone in the house, and during this time, some pets make noise because they want to be with humans. Without them, they feel very lonely and may do things like poop or pee in the house, on the bed, or anywhere. To prevent this, you need to train your puppy to use the toilet to do their business.

If you ask me personally, I do not always train them outside. I train my dog for outside in the morning and evening, and at other times, they use the common bathroom. For this, I make sure all the rooms are closed from the outside, with only the toilet and a single room open for them.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: How long does it take to potty train a dog?
Answer: Potty training a dog typically takes 4-6 months, but it can vary depending on the dog’s age, consistency, and breed.

Question: What’s the best age to start potty training a puppy?
Answer: The best age to start potty training is between 12-16 weeks old when puppies have better control over their bladder and bowel movements.

Question: What should I do if my dog has an accident inside?
Answer: Clean the area thoroughly to remove the scent. Avoid punishment; instead, reinforce positive behavior by praising and rewarding your dog when they go outside.

Question: How can I prevent my dog from having accidents at night?
Answer: Ensure your dog potties right before bedtime, limit water intake in the evening, and consider using a crate at night to discourage accidents.

Question: Can older dogs be potty trained?
Answer: Yes, older dogs can be potty trained, though it may take more time and patience compared to puppies.