Skip to main content

How to potty train a puppy in 4 easy steps

You'll have your pup peeing outside in no time with these tips

Golden retriever puppies
Chevanon Photography / Pexels

It’s a good thing they’re cute. Living with a puppy means a lot of sleepless nights and countless hours teaching her everything — from what her name is to how to walk on a leash to what constitutes an appropriate chew toy. And then, of course, there’s the issue of potty training.

No matter how adorable they are, nobody likes to step in puddles or piles around the house. Fortunately, you can begin potty training puppies as early as 12 weeks of age. And working with them earlier rather than later is recommended. Wondering how to get started? Potty training a puppy is easy if you follow this guide.

How to potty train a puppy

three tan and white puppies under a blanket
Sophia Kunkel / Unsplash

If you’ve never embarked on a potty training mission, you might be feeling a touch overwhelmed. The trick is to break it down into manageable steps.

Create a process

Like most of us, puppies learn from repetitive action. It takes a while for your little furball to understand what you’re asking her to do, so create a process and repeat it consistently.

For example, ask a question with the same words and inflection, such as, “Do you have to go potty?” Then, follow up with the same set of actions. Those could be calling her to the door, putting the leash on her, walking her to a designated area, and then giving her a command — such as, “Go potty.”

Whatever you decide to do, make sure everyone in the family is aware of the process and willing to repeat it consistently. The more often the process is repeated, the less confused your puppy will be about what is expected of her.

Follow a schedule

Puppies have little bladders and small tummies. They need to eat several times a day, which means they have to potty several times a day, too. As much as possible, establish a schedule for eating, playing, and potty training that all members of the household can abide by.

For example:

  • Take them outside at the same time, first thing in the morning and before bedtime.
  • Feed them twice a day at the same time and take them outside to potty shortly afterward.
  • Between feedings, take them outside frequently, either once an hour or after each playtime and napping session.

Tip: You might find that using a crate (or small box, depending on the size of your puppy) is an effective way to restrict her movement inside the house. Dogs typically don’t like to potty where they sleep, especially if the crate is large enough only for her to stand up, turn around, and lie down in comfortably, so crate training can help reduce the number of accidents she has in the house.

yellow Lab puppy in a black crate
Vander Films / Unsplash

Use positive reinforcement

Each time your puppy complies with your request, reward her with a small treat and plenty of praise and attention. In a short time, she’ll develop a positive association with relieving herself outside. Yelling, punishing, or using force will only make her fear you, which can cause a multitude of behavioral problems as she grows older.

When she has an accident — and she will — clean it up thoroughly without making a fuss and take her outside immediately. Going forward, resolve to supervise her more carefully as you continue positively reinforcing her good behavior. The goal is to give your puppy every opportunity to be successful and positively reinforce the desired outcome so that she’s more likely to repeat it.

Practice, patience, practice

Above all, be patient with your puppy. She is just learning. Most puppies take several months to become completely housebroken, but every dog is different. Remember, most dogs don’t turn into adults until they are at least 2 years of age.

Be mindful of your attitude during the housebreaking process, too. Research shows our dogs can not only read our facial expressions but sense our emotions as well. A positive, upbeat demeanor will go a long way toward helping your puppy feel good about potty training as well as her relationship with you.

At what age should a puppy be fully potty trained?

A white puppy sleeps on the floor
Tanya Gorelova / Pexels

There’s no one-size-fits-all when training your dog to pee exclusively outside. It can feel a lot like parenting a human if you’re in the throes of puppy bathroom issues. The good news is that you’ll certainly get there. Don’t become discouraged at three or four months if you’re still pre-empting the squat or occasionally finding a mess inside.

By 6 months old, Fido should be fully potty trained for most dogs. However, remember that tiny buds have smaller bladders and might need a little extra help. Additionally, bringing in a rescue or an animal with underlying health conditions like worms or diabetes will slow down the process as well. Stick with it, and you’ll have a fully trained pooch in no time.

Besides, when you think about all the wonderful things having a dog brings to your life, spending the first few months training her how to be an obedient family member doesn’t seem like much to ask. With consistency, love, and lots of patience, you’ll not only potty train your puppy the right way, but you’ll also create a receptive foundation for future obedience training.

Debbie Clason
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Debbie Clason's work has appeared in Family Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The Lutheran Witness, Massage Magazine…
Why do dogs dig into their bed? An annoying behavior, explained
This dog behavior is common, but can be cause for concern
A brown dog in a dog bed

You hoped your dog "dug" their bed when you spent hours researching the top brands with the comfiest products. Maybe your pooch took to their bed immediately — success. Alternatively, perhaps they decided your bed was a better fit, and you chose to roll with the choice. Regardless of which option you two settled on, you may notice your pet has an interesting bedtime and naptime routine: digging into their beds.

The digging is usually accompanied by some walking around in circles, nosing at the bed or any blankets, and repeating until they finally settle down and enjoy some sweet slumber. Why do dogs dig on the bed, though?

Read more
Why is my dog barking at nothing? There’s often a really good reason
Your dog likely isn't barking at "nothing" after all
Side profile of a Siberian husky stands in the water at the beach and barks

Virtually every dog barks every now and again, but sometimes that barking can get to be too much. It's easier to address excessive barking when you can figure out what your dog is trying to tell you or alert you of, but dog owners know it's not always obvious. In fact, it can be a bit unnerving when your dog is barking at an empty wall.

You're certainly not alone if you find yourself asking, "Why is my dog barking at nothing?" This is a common question among dog owners, and it's something that veterinarians and animal behaviorists have studied as well. There's usually a reason behind dogs' barking, after all, so it's worth looking into to make sure your furry friend is alright.

Read more
3 effective tips to make puppy sleep training less of a nightmare
Help your puppy get to sleep with this guide
A black and white French bulldog puppy sleeps in the arms of a person wearing a sweater

Bringing home a new puppy means you’re in for a whole lot of cute … and a lot less sleep. Before 4 months of age, a pup’s sleeping schedule consists of naps throughout the day and night — not the nighttime slumber you’re used to! This is a habit he'll grow out of, but with a few cozy arrangements, you can help your puppy sleep through the night with ease.
Puppy sleep training takes some preparation and time, but it can be done. The first few nights might be difficult if you have a stubborn pup who isn’t ready to hit the hay, but he'll get used to it in time. Here’s what you need to know.
According to the folks at Purina, a puppy is likely to sleep all the way through the night around 16 weeks of age. Although they will need a lot of sleep — around 17 to 20 hours a day — for the first several months of life, these naps will come in small chunks throughout the day. Just like human babies, young puppies alternate between periods of energy and rest, so it’s important to let them sleep when and where they need to.

Should you crate train your puppy?
Sleeping in a crate can benefit both you and your dog, especially when he's younger. A small puppy will have trouble controlling his bladder and might want to chew, which means containing him is essential to keeping him safe. You definitely don't want your animal to swallow something dangerous in the night or while he's home alone.

Read more