How Long Does Potty Training a Puppy Take
The puppy potty training process requires keeping a schedule, being consistent, having patience, and lots of positive reinforcement. It can take anywhere from 4 to 6 months for your puppy to be completely housebroken. But the process will be different for every puppy, and some take a whole year to be thoroughly trained and have no more accidents in the house.
Don't let that discourage you, though, because you can start potty training your puppy right away, and the accidents will get less and less and more manageable. As your puppy learns to control and hold their bladder, in addition to learning the right place and time to use the bathroom, it will become more manageable.
Usually, after 1-2 months of puppy potty training, accidents will occur only due to the inability to hold their bladder or when they get very excited - not because they don't know what to do. Be patient and give your puppy positive reinforcement to continue encouraging their potty training, along with consistent training and a good potty schedule.
How to Crate Train a Puppy for Potty Training
Crate training is a prevalent form of training for many different things. Crates can be a safe space for dogs, many dogs love their crate, and it is not a negative space. Many dog owners will use a crate as a method for potty training. Often, this method is used because it can be a faster way to potty train your puppy! But it does require some more attention to a schedule and staying diligent with it.
Crate training (for potty training) is partly based on the idea that dogs like to keep their space clean. When you provide your puppy with a crate as their own space, you tap into their instinct to keep this space clean and not use the bathroom here.
Create a schedule and a space for your puppy to use the bathroom and take them there every hour and after mealtime - when they use the bathroom in this space, use positive reinforcement and treats. Then, move them back to their crate immediately after if you won't be able to keep an eye on them. By keeping them in the crate, it will help teach them to hold their bladder and then when you take them to their bathroom spot, they will easily be able to go! You have the ability to praise and reward their behavior easily, while also tapping into their natural instincts.
How to use Puppy Pads and Outdoor Potty Training Together
Puppy potty training pads, also known as puppy pads, are a very common potty training method, especially if you are raising a puppy in an apartment and can't go outside easily. You can use puppy pads as a transition tool to help your dog learn how to use the bathroom outside, if that is your goal.
Many dog owners, especially with smaller breeds, will only use puppy pads. Most other dog breeds have a natural desire to use the bathroom outside. It is best to teach your puppy how to use the bathroom outside, in addition to using puppy pads, if it fits into your lifestyle, to avoid accidents when you are in a space that isn't your own home and doesn't have any puppy pads inside.
If you are using both methods, puppy pads are a great indicator of learning your puppy's potty schedule. From there, you can start taking them outside at those times and use positive reinforcement to teach them that outside is also a safe space for using the bathroom!
Potty training a puppy isn't an easy task, but it is very worth it and is fundamental to your dog's life. You and your puppy will find a schedule that works for both of you, and through a schedule, patience, and positive reinforcement, you will have a fully house-trained puppy in less than a year!
