All you have to do is say the word “puppy” and people’s hearts start to race. Some because they are excited by all the cuteness and others because they start thinking about all the work.
While the second set of people are more worried about how long does it take to potty train a puppy and the first just wants to snuggle, neither of them wants puppy peeing in the house.
So how long does it take? The best answer is it doesn’t take the time it takes patience. We’ve compiled a guide to help you and your new pup get through it.
Why is it so Important?
Potty training is the first big step in your life with your new pupper, this is where you both learn boundaries and how to trust each other. It’s a sad fact that when potty training fails, dogs are rehomed or put in shelters.
We know you love your new family member, but training a puppy can be a trying experience. Try to be patient and keep in mind that the age of your puppy or dog will have an impact on how quickly they learn.
Some will get it a lot faster than others, but if you stay consistent then every dog can learn this new trick.
Confining Your Pup
One of the first steps in teaching your pup where to use the bathroom is teaching them where to go and when to hold it. When you can watch your puppy closely you’ll be able to tell when they are getting ready to go and take them outside.
Giving them a safe, comfortable place when you can’t keep an eye on them is a huge factor in successful potty training.
A lot of people don’t like the idea of crate training, but when done correctly it can give your pup a safe cozy place to be when you can’t keep an eye on him or her.
If you really can’t get past the crate idea, you can always use a playpen or a small room like a bathroom or a gated off the kitchen. When choosing an area, you want to make sure that it’s big enough for your pup to be comfortable, but not large enough to where the pup can pee or poo in a corner and move away from it.
The idea here is that the pup won’t use the bathroom where it sleeps, it goes against their instincts. It’s also important to mention that the pups comfortable place is not meant to be a punishment or somewhere to lock them up and forget about them.
Potty Breaks – A Lot of Potty Breaks
If you aren’t taking your puppy out often, you are setting them up for failure. An 8-week old puppy can only hold its blatter for a couple of hours. You want to make sure to take him or her out often enough that they don’t reach the point where they can’t hold it anymore.
Getting scolded for something they couldn’t help will only make your puppy think that the act was wrong, not where they did it. If that happens they will be less comfortable to go when you are around.
That makes potty training more difficult. You want to make sure that you are going outside with your pup for then to potty – that way when they do “go” outside you can paise what a good boy or girl they are.
It might also be helpful to say “go potty” or something similar right before the dead so they know that when you say that they are somewhere it’s acceptable to potty.
This can also help your puppy from going in awkward places while you’re on a walk, or refusing to potty in new places. The last thing you want is to be traveling with your fur baby and have them uncomfortable the whole time cause they feel like it’s not okay to potty.
Stick to a Routine
Your best tool while potty training is a routine. It will help for a few different reasons, One being you will stay on top of making sure the pup gets out before they can’t hold it anymore and two your pup will learn that if they hold it, you are going let them out.
Your routine should also include feeding times and time to go out and play outside of potty breaks. You should make sure the pup doesn’t have food or water after their last potty break before bed, which we suggest is before you put them in their comfortable space for the night. Then they should be let out right away in the morning.
Making sure your pup gets plenty of exercise is not only healthy for them but it will also make sure that when you take them out to do their business they aren’t more interested in playing. Keep in mind that he or she is a puppy and play is almost always in their mind.
It’s Not Working!
Be patient, it takes time. However, if you are worried about how long it’s taking, you might need to take your pup to a vet.
There are a few medical conditions that could be in play, urinary tract infections, excitement urination, submissive urination, and incontinence. Learn more about natural remedies that can help get your puppy back in track.
So, How Long Does it Take to Potty Train a Puppy?
There’s no short answer for the “how long does it take to potty train a puppy” question. Sometimes is a couple of days other times it could be a couple of months. It all depends on your puppy and how well you stick to the routine.
It all might seem like a lot of work, but if you’ve ever had a fur baby before then you know its all worth it. If you have tips of your own or want to let us know how your pup is doing, contact us.
