How to toilet train a puppy
When I receive calls or at the first session, on the top of peoples questions is how to toilet train their puppy.
They are often struggling or they may just have high expectations of how quickly their puppy will be toilet trained.
Toilet training is a simple process but not always an easy one!
It can just take time and a bit of patience.
Consistency (this word you will hear me say a lot) is key in a lot of puppy training ands being consistent when you are toilet training a puppy you will get there quicker.
You are your puppies leader and you need to guide them to show them what to do as they grow.
This includes toilet training your puppy.
Why does my puppy keep peeing indoors?
There are a number of reasons why your puppy may have an accident
- It can take a puppy up to 20 weeks of age to gain full control of their bladder.
- They have not learnt yet where the need to go
- You have taken your eye off them (we need to keep an eye on them at all times at this age)
- Excitement
- Submissive toilet
My top tips to get your puppy toilet trained quicker
- create a diary – this doesn’t need to be a brand new book, a piece of paper near your back door will be fine.
- write down the times your dog eats and how long after they need to pee and poop
- take them out after waking
- take them out after eating
- take them out after play
- after a guest arrives
- after any excitement
- first thing in the morning and last thing at night
- a crate or pen
- Reward each and every time
Management is still training
When our puppies are young we need to keep an eye on them as much as possible.
Never leave them unattended in a room without you.
Not only is there a chance of them toileting in your home.
There are many dangers for them unattended.
If you can not keep an eye on them, pop them into their crate or pen.
Here is a blog for you on the benefits of using a crate as they are a great management tool. To Crate or Not to Crate
This is a safe place for them to go to.
What they learn with their crate, is that they don’t want to toilet where they sleep.
This is why it is important to make sure you have the correct size crate for your puppy, too big they can sleep one end and toilet at the other.
Don’t go crazy with puppy pads
I am not a fan of popping puppy pads down everywhere.
I would really encourage you to do my tips as above and you will get there.
Placing puppy pads down is just another thing you will need to un-train your puppy to do.
But…
Having said that, since my last puppy Envy, I have used puppy pads….eeekk she went back on her word.
Here me out, I only used them in her pen and only for a short period.
Below is a picture of the set up I used which worked great for me.
I needed to have her in a safe place whilst I worked and if I was on a call or couldn’t leave my desk to take her to toilet outside.
I also had them in the pen overnight, she had free access from the crate to go into the pen at night time to start with.
This meant she could get up in the night from her crate, toilet and go back to bed.
Once I had done some crate training with her and had done nights where I could shut the crate door and she was comfortable and happy.
I removed the puppy pads overnight when she was able to have the crate door shut overnight.
Your puppy will show signs that they need to toilet
- sniffing a spot on the floor
- circling
- becoming disinterested in you
- becoming disinterested in play or training
- whining
- pacing upon and down
- scratching or standing at the door
If you have missed it and they are already going, please do not interrupt them.
What can potentially happen is that they think when they toilet you frighten them so they start to toilet out of sight away from you, ie behind the sofa.
Over time as you get to know your puppy, you will pick up on the cues that they need to go as each dog is different
Overnight
Puppies are not able to go through the night straight away as they don’t yet have full control of their bladder.
In my opinion, the best option is to get up with them when they wake, take them outside to pee, put them back to bed.
The key with this is to make it as boring as possible, you don’t want your puppy to think awesome lets have fun in the middle of the night.
Pick them up out of their crate or one, carry them outside, carry them back in again and straight back to their crate.
No talking, treats or even eye contact – boring as possible!
Don’t worry this stage only lasts a couple or weeks…if you are struggling you could try the set up I did for Envy with a crate a pen above.
Some reminders….
- Your puppy will never pee or poop in your house on purpose to annoy you. They just haven’t yet fully learned where they need to go.
- Have some patience with your puppy, they aren’t doing it on purpose they are just not quite there yet.
- Don’t ever shout or tell your dog off for toileting inside – as they may end up being frightened of toileting in front of you.
- Accidents happen! Just clean it up with an ammonia free cleaning product and keep a closer eye on your pup!
- DO NOT rub their nose in it! this teaches them nothing!!!
Plan, prepare and get success with your puppy by using my FREE easy peasy puppy guide
You may be preparing for the arrival of your new puppy or they may already be home with you.
It may all feel a little overwhelming and you don’t know where to start.
My FREE eBook will help you guide you and your new puppy to get it right from the start.
If you would love some help with your puppy and get it right the first time.
Book in your 20 minute Breakthrough Call to get a 3 Step Action Plan that will get you started on your dog training journey and living in harmony with your dog.
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