Potty training your puppy can be a daunting task, and many dog owners struggle with this part of bringing home a new member of the pack.
But luckily for all of us, puppies are usually super receptive, and though the average puppy potty training time is 4-8 weeks, someone can potty train their dog in as little as 7 days with the right practices.
Let’s take a look at the easiest and best puppy training methods to get your dog on the right track in no time!
What is the Fastest Way to Potty Train a Puppy?
The short answer to this is to establish a puppy potty training schedule and use a confined space—like a crate—when you are not directly watching your puppy. Potty training takes time and practice, and if you’ll be gone longer than 5-6 hours a day, it’s recommended to get an older dog who is already potty trained.
Steps to potty train a puppy
1. Go Outside Frequently
Once you establish a routine, you’re going to want to take your puppy out frequently to prevent him/her from pottying in the house. This includes when they first wake up, after eating or drinking anything, and when they are done playing.
2. Pick a Spot
Dogs are creatures of habit, so you will want to pick one spot and stick to it. They will soon associate the place with what they are supposed to do there. You will also want to use one same word or phrase to “mark” their pottying behavior. Usually this is something along the lines of “go potty,” and you’ll want to say it every time they are done peeing or pooping.
Each time they relieve themselves, repeat the phrase. They will soon associate the phrase with the relieving themselves, and when you say it, they’ll think, “Hmmm… maybe I should go potty.”
It also isn’t wise to take your dog on a walk or play with them until they have relieved themselves outside. This is because you want your puppy to focus on why you are outside… you are there to go potty!
3. Reward, Reward, Reward!
Making sure your dog knows what they did RIGHT can be so powerful! Puppies are like a sponge, and they live for getting praised (and hate to get scolded). For this, timing is everything!
You don’t want to start praising the puppy while eliminating it because they may get distracted, then finish pottying in the house. You will want to do it immediately after they potty while the dog is still outside. They will get confused if you do it when they are already running in the house. You want them to know that because they pottied outside, they get treats and praise.
4. Stick to a Feeding Schedule.
Using a feeding schedule will make your and your puppy’s life just a little bit easier. This is because it will help them eliminate at the same time each day. Puppies usually need to be fed a few times a day, so when fed consistently, it will make getting your dog outside to potty at the right times a breeze.
5. Pick up Their Water Bowl.
Usually, puppies can sleep for about 7 hours without needing to relieve themselves, but pulling their water about 2.5 hours before bedtime will drastically reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Dogs generally don’t like to pee or poop when they are in a small space where they would have to lay in it, which is why we suggest a small space at night. But if the dog really has to go, they will go.
You want to give your dog the best possible chance at doing the right thing and not pottying in the house, so withholding their water and not feeding them right before bed is key to reducing accidents while you sleep.
If the dog does wake you up while you sleep, they may need to go out. You don’t want to make a big deal out of it and just take the dog outside. If you make too big of a deal, they will think it’s time to play and may begin to wake you up to play with them, which you don’t want.
At What Age Should a Puppy be Potty Trained?
Potty training should begin when your puppy is 12-24 weeks old (or 3-6 months). Any younger is too young and they won’t absorb anything. As they get older, they get stuck in their bad habits, but all hope is not lost if you potty train them late! This is the ideal age range to crack down on potty training for a short and seamless process.
Should I Put a Pee Pad in my Puppy’s Crate?
The answer is no because pee pads teach your dog that it’s okay to pee on them, and many of them have a scent that prompts your dog to pee. You want to train your dog to pee outside, not in the crate. Leaving a pee pad in the crate is also a chewing hazard, and in general, should not be left alone with a puppy
How Long After a Puppy Eats do They Poop?
After your dog scarfs down a delicious meal, it will be around 5-30 minutes before they have to pee. This can be useful information for your dog to potty right after their meal.
How Long Should a Puppy Potty Break Be?
If your pup is still going in the house or their crate, they may need to be taken out more. Calculate this by counting 1 hour for how many months they are old, then adding one. That is the number of hours they should be able to hold before going outside again.
When you take your dog outside, they should be given ten minutes to relieve themselves. If they haven’t gone during that time, put them back in the crate and then try again later. You don’t want your dog thinking that they are just there to play when they go outside. They are there to potty!
Puppy Potty Training Regression
If your puppy regresses, please don’t feel discouraged! Potty training can be tough. It shouldn’t cause them to be reprimanded harshly. Your dog will pick it up quickly and be pottying outside again.
Final Thoughts
Though potty training takes time and patience, it is a key skill that your dog will use throughout their lifetime. By using positive reinforcement, consistency, confined space, and other practices in this article, your dog will be one potty-trained champ in no time.