Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed about house training their puppy. But with the right approach, you can set your puppy up for success from the very first day they come home. Everyone faces unique challenges when toilet training a puppy—whether you live in a flat or a house with a garden. The key to any puppy training project is consistency, patience, and understanding your new family companion's needs.
Here, I’ve outlined practical tips to help prevent accidents while toilet training your puppy. These steps will build trust and a strong working relationship between you and your furry friend.
1. Use Puppy Pads When Necessary
While I’m not a fan of puppy pads, they do have their place in specific situations. If you live in a flat without a garden, or if your puppy will be confined to a playpen for longer than they can hold their toilet, puppy pads can be useful.
However, if you have a house or ground-floor flat with a garden, it’s best to start teaching your puppy to toilet outside from day one. Even better, find a reputable breeder who has already started toilet training their puppies.
2. Recognise When Your Puppy Needs to Go
Understanding your puppy’s natural toileting schedule, along with behaviours that signal they need to go, is crucial for success. Puppies usually need to toilet after these activities:
Waking up from sleeping or napping
Playing or running around
15 minutes before and after eating
Other signs include:
Sniffing around the room
Circling in a particular area or positioning to toilet
Every 30 to 45 minutes after their last toilet break, depending on the breed
Accidents can be frustrating, but it’s important to remember that puppies aren’t being naughty. They simply need guidance to learn where to go. Recognising their patterns is key to preventing setbacks.
3. Establish a Toileting Routine
Teaching your puppy that toilet breaks are just that—a time to go—can be incredibly helpful. When taking your puppy outside, use a lead to guide them to their toilet area. Allow them to focus on the task at hand without distractions like playing, talking, or additional people nearby.
Once your puppy has toileted, reward them with attention, playtime, or a high-value treat (or some of their daily food allowance). This reinforces the behaviour you want.
If your puppy doesn’t toilet after 15 minutes, bring them back inside, supervise them closely, or place them in their crate. Try again after 10 minutes. This routine helps create structure, making your puppy feel secure and confident as they learn.
4. Reward Good Behaviour
Always reward your puppy immediately after they toilet in the correct place. Use high-value treats or part of their daily food allowance to reinforce the behaviour. The reward should be meaningful to the puppy, not just what you think they should enjoy.
This approach not only strengthens the behaviour but also builds a positive relationship with your puppy. They’ll associate you with good things, helping to create trust and cooperation.
5. Gradually Extend Time Between Breaks
After 5 to 7 days without accidents, you can begin extending the time between toilet breaks by 10 to 15 minutes. If accidents occur, return to the previous schedule and try again after another 5 to 7 days of success.
Smaller breeds often need more frequent breaks than larger breeds, so keep their size in mind when adjusting the schedule. Gradual extensions teach your puppy to hold their bladder for longer periods, leading to reliable house training.
6. Clean Accidents Thoroughly
Accidents will happen. When they do, it’s not the puppy’s fault—it’s ours for failing to prevent the situation. Clean the mess with an enzyme-breaking cleaner that doesn’t contain ammonia, as ammonia-based cleaners can mimic the scent of urine and encourage repeat accidents.
Place your puppy in their safe space while cleaning. Most enzyme cleaners take about 15 minutes to break down the enzymes. Afterward, wipe the area clean with kitchen or blue roll.
7. Crate Training as a Prevention Tool
A crate can be an excellent tool for preventing accidents. Puppies naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, so a properly sized crate can encourage them to hold their bladder.
The crate should be just big enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down. If it’s too large, your puppy may use one corner as a toilet. Crate training also provides a safe space where your puppy feels secure when you’re not around.
8. Avoid Punishment
Never punish your puppy for accidents. Shouting, scolding, or physical punishment can cause setbacks, making your puppy afraid to toilet in your presence.
This approach is not training—it’s abuse.
Instead, focus on rewarding the behaviours you want to see and preventing unwanted behaviours from happening.
9. Adjust Your Strategy for Flats
If you live in a flat, consider using a balcony (if safe) or a designated indoor toilet area at the start of your training. Puppy pads, artificial grass, or even items similar to cat litter boxes can help. However, transition your puppy to outdoor toileting as soon as possible.
10. Seek Professional Support
House training can be challenging, especially for first-time puppy owners. If you’re struggling or need tailored advice, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. As a specialist in training and behaviour in Kent, I’m here to support you every step of the way. Book a free consultation to discuss your puppy’s unique needs and challenges.
Conclusion
Toilet training a puppy is a rewarding process that sets the foundation for a happy, well-behaved family member. Consistency, patience, and positive training techniques will help you succeed while building a strong bond with your canine companion. Remember, accidents are part of the journey—just like potty training human children. With time, effort, and the right guidance, your puppy will be fully house trained in no time.
If you found this guide helpful, please share it with your family and friends. I’m passionate about helping all puppies get the best education possible, and together, we can spread the knowledge to make house training a success for everyone!
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