The BIGGEST Mistake People Make With Puppy House Training, by McCann Dog Training on YouTube. 9 min 24 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 24 s
- Time to do it
- 3 to 4 weeks of daily routine
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Fix a potty schedule. Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after every meal, after naps and play, and every one to two hours while it is awake.
Go to the same outdoor spot on a leash every time. Stand still and quiet, and give the puppy five to ten minutes to sniff and circle.
Reward the moment your puppy finishes, while you are still outside, with a treat and calm praise. Waiting until you are back indoors teaches the wrong lesson.
Supervise indoors. Keep the puppy in the same room as you, tether it to you, or use a crate or pen when you cannot watch it.
Watch for signals such as sniffing the floor, circling, pacing or heading for the door. Interrupt gently and carry the puppy straight outside.
Clean accidents with an enzymatic pet cleaner, not an ammonia-based product. Leftover smell tells the puppy that spot is a toilet.
Feed meals at the same times each day and note when your puppy poops. A steady feeding routine makes toilet times predictable.
Take the puppy out last thing at night and expect one or two night trips with a young puppy. Keep the crate beside your bed so you hear it stir.
Log every potty trip and accident for a week. The pattern shows you when to add extra trips outside.
Tips and common mistakes
Never scold or rub your puppy's nose in an accident, as it only teaches the puppy to hide the behaviour from you.
A young puppy has a small bladder. A rough guide is one hour of holding per month of age, plus one.
Keep the routine the same at weekends and on holidays, since inconsistency is the usual reason house training slips.
Do not withhold water in hot weather or for long stretches. Ask your vet if you are unsure about night-time water.
Questions
How long does house training take?
Most puppies need a few weeks to a few months of consistent routine. Small breeds and very young puppies often take longer.
How often should I take my puppy out?
Every one to two hours while it is awake, plus after meals, naps, play and waking up. Add trips if accidents keep happening.
Why does my puppy pee right after coming inside?
It may not have finished outside, or it got distracted. Stay out a little longer and reward as soon as it goes.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
