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Puppy Housetraining

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Successful housetraining is one of the first things parents of a new puppy need to accomplish, and even though the process can be time-consuming, it does not have to be daunting. With a combination of consistency, common sense, and positive reinforcement protocols, you can quickly train any puppy to toilet appropriately.

There are a number of ways to toilet train a dog successfully, so your choice really depends upon the type of environment in which you live.

Paper Training
People in urban living situations with no yard tend to 'paper train' their puppies until the pups have had all their vaccinations at approximately sixteen weeks old. When it is safe for the puppy to be outside, they make the transition between paper training inside and toileting outside.

Those in suburban or rural environments with yards or a safe outside area might use a combination of training pads and outside toileting. Still others with regular access to the outdoors may skip pads altogether and take their pups straight outside. How to Paper Train your puppy.

Crate Training
Crate training is a popular way of encouraging puppies to hold themselves for longer periods of time and keeps puppies safe when unsupervised. If you use the crate correctly, it will become a safe space for your puppy as well as a highly effective toilet training tool. How to Crate Train your puppy.

Stay Alert!
Regardless of which method you use to housetrain your puppy, remain especially vigilant and prepared for a pup to eliminate at the following times:

Immediately after meals
After training sessions
Shortly after waking
After vigorous play
During or after a stressful event
When overly excited

What Not to Do:

Never scold a pup or adult dog for toileting inappropriately and never rub his nose in or near his mess. Dogs do NOT toilet inappropriately out of spite. You will only cause your dog to fear you and toilet in secret or when you are out of sight.
Leaving poorly housetrained puppies or dogs in the home unsupervised sets them up to fail unless they are in a safe area.

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10 thoughts on “Puppy Housetraining”

Amanda Pankhurst May 16, 2015 at 9:59 am

I have a four month old shepherd mix who I rescued from a bad living situation Hes never been worked with Ive got the basic sit stay lay down training but for some reason Hes refuses to go potty outside he wants to go in his crate im running of ideas I need some serious help. Any advice for a puppy mommy
sharon hines October 13, 2015 at 8:52 pm

Time, love and patience, Amanda ... and consistence in outside potty time schedule; and, reward for good potty. Thank you for opening your heart and home to him.
robin October 21, 2015 at 8:05 pm

My morkie puppy is 9 months and still pottys in the house. She pottys outside too but does not let me know when she needs to go. I take her out at the times recommended but she still goes if i dont watch her 24/7. Shebarks for water and when shes tired but not potty. She tries to hide when she goes in the house and will even attempt to eat the feces. HELP
Kelly Colley December 5, 2015 at 8:17 pm

I have 2 cavalier King Charles spaniels who are litter mates. We got them when they were 9 weeks old and they are now 3 years old. They have been crate trained but have never been able to be trusted in the house. When they are out of the crate, they will potty outside but then they come in and find a quiet corner and go again!! It is both of them and they do it constantly! I don't want them to have to spend every minute of the day in their crate but I also can't follow them around all the time. Suggestions???
Samantha January 3, 2016 at 9:37 pm

I have a 12 week old boxer. She is currently being trained to go outside with her leash on, go potty, and come inside. Around 8-10 weeks, she was doing well at being let outside and use the washroom, and now it seems like all progressed has been erased and has been having accident after accident in the house, even immediately AFTER being let inside. I have no idea how to break this habit, as she has already shown she knows she needs to be going outside and I feel like pad training her for inside the house is inconsistent. Does anyone have advice?
Bernadette Boulton February 15, 2016 at 5:10 pm

I have a 7 month old patterdale terrier Rosie. She still poos inside the house at least once a day.. She normally does it in the same area in the dining room. When i see her pooing outside i make a big fuss of her and reward her with a treat. What can i do.
Stephanie Wilson August 31, 2016 at 3:48 am

I have a 6 month old cocker spaniel, he is great during the day poos and wees outside. At night he sleeps in our playroom and every single morning I come down to poo. Please help, what can I do ???
SavedTee Swindell September 9, 2016 at 8:09 am

I have a 4 month old beagle who is walked outside. However, before getting outside, she urinates on my floor right next to me. She is no longer urinating on the wee wee pad which she used to do before. It is frustrating. Please help!!!
Jennie Mele March 27, 2017 at 8:14 pm

I took my puppy from a dog foster home about a year ago. I love him to bits; he has a great personality, and I feel that he loves our family so much. BUT, whenever I leave him at home he pees in the house: on the carpet, on the bed, on flowers..
My husband and I were thinking about taking him to 'doggy school', but then again, it’s extremely expensive, and the nearest 'doggy school' is far away from us. Maybe you have some advice? THANK YOU!!!!
Nina April 11, 2017 at 12:00 pm

I do detest these puppy training pads, which a lot of our clients with puppies seem to favour these days.

Personally, I have taught word association with each of my GSD pups which have worked a treat and of course when crate training hit the markets, used together they were clean in no time.

Sadly, there does appear to be a lack of effort on some owners part, which is why, I believe, that a lot of puppies are still soiling at six months.