First thing to realize about potty training is that it is a business trip not a play session!

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Be prepared – Prepare your special treats in a baggie (do not use for anything else)

I use a hot dog sliced into 1/4-inch pieces, then I cut those into quarters.  If this upsets sensitive tummies, I use honey nut cheerios.  I prepare by grabbing the bag out of the fridge and I always start on a leash.  You do this so your puppy will learn to go on a leash when traveling or when you are out with the puppy.  If you do not do this sometimes they will refuse to go on a leash.  Put the leash on and use what ever command words you choose.  I use “Go Potty”.  You can hang bells by the door and ring them as you go out.  Most puppies quickly learn this is the signal to go poddy and they will go to the door and ring the bells.  (You can buy a set on Amazon if you do not want to make your own)

 

Go outside and go to an area where you want them to potty.  You say again “Go Potty” (you make no eye contact, no talking, no touching, again you are on a business trip).  You walk around and around until you get results so if its cold outside, put your coat on and have gloves in your pockets to wear.  Be prepared, this to take a while for the first few timesMaybe even take a warm drink if you have time.

 

As soon as your dog potties, give them a big huge praise “GOOD POTTY” and a treat! No, you are not done yet.  You need to stay a little longer to wait for the poop and sometimes after a nap or night your puppy may need to go a few times.  Give them time until they are finished going.

 

If they don’t go, here are a few tips:  If you are in a hurry for any reason, that tension goes right down the leash.  Your puppies don’t know what’s wrong just that it is not right and they will hold it because they are at risk when going potty, so they will not go unless there is no perceived danger or stress.  You then go in the house and they instantly potty on the floor.  That’s because you are now relaxed.  They just don’t need to go sometimes so if you can’t keep an eye on them just put them in the crate for 20-30 minutes and try again.  This is how they learn that when they go outside they need to go potty.  The crate is not a punishment, it is a den and they usually will not potty in their den unless they cannot hold it.

Crate training is the way to a well potty-trained puppy.  Dogs are den animals and by nature so this is a comfortable safe place.  I always cover it with a blanket.  This keeps them from worrying about what’s coming from either side or from behind.  They just have to watch the front door of the crate, just like a den.  At night I pull the blanket down and cover the whole crate so they can sleep soundly.

Some puppies may cry when first separated from their litter mates and mother so give them a stuffed animal and a good bone to chew on so they are distracted.  Sometimes I will toss a few cheerios or treats in the crate so they are not scrambling at the door and learn that going into the crate is a good thing.  Always praise them as you put them in the crate.

Be prepare for a few night time potty trips as well.  Puppies are usually around 13 weeks before they learn to control those muscles.  This is a learning process, remember at 8 weeks it is like teaching an 18-month-old baby to use the toilet.  It takes time so be patient.  If you cannot watch them, put them in their crate for a nap so they are not running around establishing a bathroom in your home.

 

Tips:  If you catch your puppy having an accident, DO NOT YELL OR TALK GRUFFLY (this will teach them to go off and hide from you and then you’ll start to find accidents in corners, behind furniture, etc.)  You simply clap your hands loudly and in a higher voice say “No No”.  You then go pick them up and take them out following the same potty routine mentioned above.  This is important even if you think they are done and don’t finish outside because you are teaching them not to go in the house, but outside is where they need to go.

 

Any time your puppy eats, drinks, sleeps or plays, they need to go outside.  Usually about 2 minutes after playing begins, interrupt it and take them out.  Exercise makes those smooth muscles contract and therefore the will need to go.

 

Good Luck and enjoy your new puppy!!