Remember, if there are accidents indoors, do not punish your puppy. If you catch them in the act, you can make a noise or say “uh-oh” to get their attention, and they will likely stop. Immediately, gently pick up your puppy, take them outside, and praise them heartily when they finish up. Always be sure to sanitize soiled indoor areas with appropriate pet stain cleaning products, so the pup isn’t drawn to the same spot again.
While you’re adhering to your timeline, it helps to firmly establish the rules for where your puppy should and should not eliminate, and dog crates and puppy pads can be very useful training tools to assist you in establishing your potty training plan.
Many owners have great results by also placing a bell on the door handle, and training their puppy to ring the bell when they need to go out. Start by ringing the bell as you exit with your dog, and praise the puppy as soon as they learn to ring the bell on their own.
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Do this every time you are outside (or indoors if using puppy pads or dog litter boxes), and soon enough, the puppy will understand that doing their business in the proper spot will bring lots of love and treats. Also, after they eliminate outside, play with your pup for a few minutes before rushing back inside.
What is the best way to potty train your puppy?
Getting Your Puppy on a Schedule
♦ Put your puppy on a feeding and watering schedule (don’t restrict water intake, just schedule when they have access….every 2-3 hours during the day is fine).
♦ No food or water 2 hours before bedtime
♦ Don’t leave food/water in the crate while you are away from home (no way to get out to potty)
♦ Take outside (or to a potty pad) on a schedule
√First thing in the morning and last thing before bed
√Within 15-30 min after eating or drinking (longer interval as they get older)
√Before/after putting puppy in crate for more than an hour
√Immediately upon waking from them napping/sleeping
√Any time the puppy shows behavior that going potty is imminent
√Initially take out once overnight, but by 12 wks old most should be able to sleep through the night.
Housebreak A Puppy Fast
How long does it take to house train a puppy? Thats the million-dollar question. Training a puppy can be a daunting task for a good reason. Puppies dont always listen to instruction. In fact, most puppies can only handle about a five- to 15-minute training session before losing interest.1
Your puppys age, physical readiness, and attention-span will determine how long house training will take. Puppies typically begin training between 8–12 weeks of age.
To get house training off on the right foot, you want to ensure both you and your puppy achieve success. To ensure a positive experience for both of you, consider the following:
That brings us back to the initial question, “How long does it take to house train a puppy?” Ultimately the answer depends on two key factors:
Spoil-alert! Consistency and patience are crucial to success. If you put in the time, youre likely going to complete house training within four to six months. While this time frame may seem long, most puppies will acclimate to house training within a few weeks.3 However, to be considered entirely house trained, your puppy will need to be 100 percent accident-free—and this can take up to 12 months.