How to potty train a puppy

Graduating from potty training is a major milestone in any puppy's life. It's a good idea to teach your dog proper bathroom rituals when they're young, Dr. Aliya McCullough, Fetch's on-staff veterinarian, tells The Dig. She's sharing the dos and don'ts of potty training, so your best friend doesn't make a mess in the house. 

You should expect that there'll most likely be bumps in the road in the beginning. "Pet parents can start potty training early, but most puppies can't control their bladders before they're 14 to 16 weeks old," Dr. McCullough says. 

‍How long can puppies hold their pee?

There's a general formula when figuring out how often you should take your puppy to the bathroom. Dr. McCullough says that pet parents should add 1 hour plus your dog's age in months. "For example, a 2-month old puppy should be able to hold it for 3 hours," she adds. "This means young puppies will need to be taken out in the middle of the night as well."

Dr. McCullough explains that puppies usually poop between one to three times each day (typically 10 to 15 minutes after eating). It's normal for puppies to urinate a lot, too. However, smaller breeds usually need to go out more often because of tiny bladders. 

Knowing the physical signs of when a dog needs to go to the bathroom can when potty training, too. Dr. McCullough says that your pup's symptoms may be subtle, but you should look out for wandering off, sniffing an area of the floor and circling. 

‍Best way to potty train a puppy

Pet parents should never punish or use negative reinforcement while potty training a puppy, Dr. McCullough says. Instead, follow her tips for outdoor potty training your pup: 

• Establish a regular schedule for your puppy for eating, playing, training and taking them outside to go to the bathroom. 
• Take them out every 2 hours — especially after meals, play sessions, crate time and before they go to bed.
• Use positive reinforcement (like treats or praise) when they go to the bathroom outside. 
• If your pup has an accident inside, stop them by picking them up and taking them to their preferred potty spot. 
• Use a crate or leash so they can’t wander off to have an accident. 
• Be consistent with training and rewards. 
• Understand the physical signs that your pup needs to go to the bathroom. 

When outdoor potty training, Dr. McCullough warns against letting your pup explore public areas before they’re fully vaccinated. 

Another tidbit: If a puppy smells that they’ve gone to the bathroom in a specific area, they’re likely to go there again, she says, so take your pup to the same spot to relieve themselves. 

According to Dr. McCullough, a crate is a safe space or den for dogs, and puppies generally won't want to go to the bathroom in their area. She recommends putting your pup in their crate if you can't watch them and regularly taking them out to the bathroom. 

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