Potty Training

Potty training can seem like a never-ending process, it can be a very stressful time for puppy and owner.  Your puppy has been litterbox trained, to make the transition to potty training as easy as possible.  Access to a litterbox has taught them from a very young age that there is an appropriate place to eat, sleep and potty.  Again, remember that every interaction you have with your puppy they are learning, good or bad.  When taking your puppy out of the crate, they should be picked up and IMMEDIATELY carried outside and told to “Go Potty”.  Do not talk to your puppy and try to not make eye contact until they are out in the yard.  Exciting a puppy that is coming out of the crate is setting them up for failure.  Timing meals and trips outside is pivotal to successful potty training.  I recommend feeding two meals a day, spaced as close to 12 hours apart as possible.  But before feeding and watering, take your puppy outside to potty.  Do not leave water accessible to your puppy, but be sure to offer water at other times throughout the day, not just at feeding times.  Only give food or water when you can give them ample potty time.  Here is an example of a schedule that we would recommend around feeding time.

6:00  Take puppy outside to potty

6:15  Give puppy ample food and water in a quiet area where they will not be disturbed (preferably their crate in the beginning).

6:30  Remove food and water and take the puppy out to potty.


6:45  Take puppy out to potty’

7:00 Take puppy out to potty

7:30  Take puppy out to potty

8:00 Take puppy out to potty

Potty training can be frustrating at best, but stick to a schedule and it will come as their body matures.  NEVER leave a puppy that is not fully potty trained unattended in the home.  At times, to ensure potty training success, I have kept the puppies leash tied to my belt loop while cooking dinner or navigating throughout the house so I could be sure to catch them if they were to have an accident.  This simple trick also does wonders to train the puppy to become responsive to your body language. 
Continuing with litterbox training can come in handy even with adult dogs.  We use washing machine pans and wood burning fuel pellets.  We do not recommend the use of potty pads as this can lead to the dogs wanting to use rugs and carpet as potty pads.  Puppies also tend to tear up potty pads, which can be harmful if ingested.  

Accidents happen and they will be frustrating at times, but this too shall pass.  Keeping a consistent schedule those first few weeks and giving your puppy ample time outside will ensure success.