7 Quick Tips for TOILET TRAINING a Puppy or Dog, by ThatDogGeek on YouTube. 3 min 56 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 56 s
- Time to do it
- 3 to 4 weeks of daily practice
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose one toilet spot outside and always take your puppy there on a leash. The scent builds up in that patch and tells the puppy why it is there.
Take the puppy out first thing in the morning, after every meal, after naps, after play and right before bed. Puppies need to go far more often than adult dogs.
Watch for sniffing, circling or squatting. Interrupt gently with a cheerful voice and lead or carry the puppy straight to the spot.
Wait up to five minutes. The moment the puppy toilets, praise calmly and give a treat within a second or two so it links the treat to the spot.
If nothing happens, go back inside and keep the puppy in sight or in the crate. Try again 15 minutes later instead of waiting outside.
Feed meals at set times each day and pick up the bowl after 20 minutes. A predictable routine makes toilet times predictable too.
Clean accidents with an enzyme cleaner, not an ammonia based one. Ammonia smells like urine and invites the puppy back to the same spot.
At night, take the puppy out once or twice, and use a crate just big enough to stand, turn and lie down. Most puppies will not soil their sleeping space.
Tips and common mistakes
Never scold or rub the puppy's nose in an accident, as it teaches the puppy to hide and go where you cannot see.
A young puppy may need a trip outside every hour while awake, so plan around your day.
Always use the same door and the same patch of grass so the routine becomes a habit.
Expect a few accidents even in week three, since bladder control improves with age.
Questions
How long does toilet training take?
Most puppies need several weeks of consistent trips outside and are usually reliable by four to six months old. Small breeds often take a little longer.
Should I use puppy pads?
Pads help if you live in an apartment or cannot get outside quickly, but switch to outdoor toileting as soon as you can. Pads can teach a puppy to prefer going on soft surfaces indoors.
Why does my puppy pee right after coming back inside?
It probably did not finish outside, or it was distracted. Go back out to the same spot for a few more minutes before you settle it indoors.
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.
