Bringing a new puppy into your home can be a joyous occasion, but many new adoptees wonder, “How long does it take to potty train a dog?” For inexperienced pet owners, it can seem like a daunting task, especially since you have to dedicate a lot of energy toward cleaning up messes. It takes more than just good intentions to house train your new puppy; patience is the most essential requirement, while professional guidance is also highly recommended. Let’s learn more about training your puppy to do their business outside.
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How Long Does it Take to Potty Train a Puppy?
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How Long Does it Take to Potty Train a Puppy?
Successfully potty training a puppy usually takes 4-6 months, though individual timelines can vary. Smaller breeds may need more frequent outdoor trips due to their smaller bladders and higher metabolisms. Previous living conditions can also influence the duration. Stay patient and consistent in your training approach for best results.
When to Start Potty Training a Puppy
You always want to start your relationship with your new puppy positively, so it’s important to start potty training right away. Typically, you’ll bring your puppy home when they’re at least eight weeks old when your new furry friend has a malleable brain. Learning good bathroom habits early sets good boundaries and can serve as a major bonding experience between you and your pup.
Of course, accidents are a normal part of your puppy growing and adjusting to its new life, and it starts out with a smaller bladder, so patience is required.
Steps for Potty Training a Puppy
Even if you’re new to puppy training, it can be easy with the right information and knowledge. Here are some tips for how to potty train a dog:
- Monitor your puppy closely
- Schedule food and water consumption
- Utilize a crate
- Use positive reinforcement
- Avoid pee pads, if possible
Factors that Influence Potty Training Period
Every dog is unique, so any number of factors can influence how long it takes to potty train your puppy. You’ll need to follow some guidelines to keep the potty training period speedy and concise.
Consistency of Training
One of the most important contributing factors is the consistency of your training. You can’t just start training and stop it before it’s complete, and you can’t give up when frustrations mount. Once you commit to training your new canine companion, you need to see it through to ensure they don’t grow frustrated or develop poor habits. Stick to an easy training schedule and adhere to it until your pup is confident doing its business outside.
Positive vs Negative Reinforcement
While the word “no” carries a lot of gravitas, negative reinforcement is not effective for potty training a dog. Abusive behavior such as rubbing the dog’s nose in its mess is detrimental for the young animal’s mental health and development — and it reflects poorly on the trainer. Instead of using a punitive approach, reward your puppy when they do a good job!
Give them a treat and some words of praise when they get a step right, and as they continue to learn, they will be motivated to repeat the behavior and impress you. Every time they receive a treat or affirmation from you in the form of saying “good dog” and giving them a few pets.
Training Experience
If you lack the experience and have some anxiety about teaching your pup the proper place to pee, consider professional training with Pettable Academy. Our trained experts can guide you as you show your dog the right way to go about its daily life, enhancing your experience as you grow the bond between you and your puppy. You don’t need experience with Pettable’s professionals guiding the way.
Common Potty-Training Setbacks
Your puppy is just that — a brand-new animal that needs to learn the world from scratch, with you as its guide. Unfortunately, potty training regression can occur, usually due to one or more reasons. Stress of any kind can cause your pup to struggle with keeping their training intact, especially when they are still quite young. Significant household changes, such as having a baby, can also interrupt the pup’s development. Anxiety is another common cause of setbacks in potty training, so remember to stay calm and positive to avoid nervousness, which is a common cause of accidents.
How to Identify When Your Puppy Needs to Go
Once your puppy has been potty trained, it’s crucial that you can tell when they have to go. There are several common signs that can identify their need to go outside. If your pup is trying incessantly to get your attention or visibly fidgeting, it’s probably potty time. Barking and whining can also point toward potty, as can restlessness or pacing. Some dogs have their own unique “potty dance,” which will serve as an easy identifier going forward. Though it might be cute, don’t delay — take your dog outside right away!
Still Having Accidents? Try Online Dog Training Courses
If your personal training isn’t doing the trick, consider signing up for online dog training courses with Pettable. Our friendly professionals will lead the way and guarantee success — and we offer a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with your results.
Pettable Academy Puppy Kindergarten
To ensure a positive learning experience for your new puppy, enroll in the Pettable Academy Puppy Kindergarten program. Your puppy — and your home — will be grateful!
Meet the author:
Matt is a Midwestern-based writer and devoted dog dad, living with a sweet mixed-breed pup named Robin. A life-long dog lover, he had the pleasure of growing up with several German Shepherds, a Cocker Spaniel, and a Black Labrador. He is a full-time editor, as well as a musician and poet, who loves basketball, birdwatching and listening to The Cure and Nick Cave.
