Tips for a Less Stressful Potty Training Experience!
Potty training is probably the most daunting aspect of dog ownership & puppy raising. Yet it is also one of the most necessary skills every single dog needs to master. There are so many nuances to potty training & the whole journey can feel like you're taking one step forward, and two steps back. But then one day you'll realize that it's been a few weeks since your pup has had an accident in the house. Or one day you'll be hanging out & hear the bells by the back door ring & find your pup patiently waiting to go outside to potty & it'll be at that moment you realize you've made it!
Here are a few tips that I hope will help you get your puppy potty trained just a little bit quicker & more effectively than if you just wing it.
Tip #1 - Get your pup on a feeding schedule
(If your puppy drinks water non-stop, put them on a water schedule as well) Knowing when your puppy ate (and drank water) will help you know when they need to go potty.
Tip #2 - Limit access to your house
Keep your pup restricted to one or two rooms in the house. (One with wood floors if possible/practical) This prevents your pup from having secret accidents.
Tip #3 - Teach your pup to ring bells to go outside
Having an audible cue to alert you to their need is harder to miss than if your pup just sits and stares at you.
Tip #4 - Utilize the leash and crate
Leash up your pup outside to keep your pup from getting distracted and use the crate to prevent your pup from having accidents all over the house.
Tip #5 - Watch for cues and learn the signs that your pup needs to go potty
Sometimes your pup is trying to tell you that they need to go potty, you just don't realize it yet.
Stick with it.
Potty training very much feels like a "one step forward, two steps back" process, but consistency is key. Up until a year old, if your pup is having an occasional accident it is understandable. And if your pup gets an upset tummy, sometimes they just can't help it.
If you need more help learning how to implement these tips with your pup, check out our guidebook where we walk you through each of these tips as well as answer a few frequently asked questions.