Discover Easy Ways to Potty Train Your New Puppy

What's the best way to potty training your new puppy? There isn’t only one method available for housebreaking a puppy. You may find one method isn’t a good fit for you and your dog so just try something else. The trick is to be patient and never punish your dog if he doesn’t learn right away (it’s almost always the trainer, not the trainee who is the problem).

You're probably wondering when is the best time to start potty training? You can start immediately by following the simple suggestions below.


Here are some helpful tips to help you have success when you potty train your new puppy:

  1. Keep your dog on a schedule. Puppies have to “go” every couple of hours so it makes sense to take your dog outside every couple of hours. Also make sure to take him outside after he wakes up and after he plays. This can be very inconvenient, but it is well worth it if you have a potty trained dog as a result. A few days of inconvenience is a very small price to pay compared to years of dealing with “accidents” all over your house.

  2. It’s also a good idea to feed your puppy at the same time each day and take him outside right after each meal.

  3. Praise your dog immediately after he’s done going potty outside.

  4. Expect “accidents” in the house and make sure you clean them up thoroughly so your dog isn’t attracted to the smell and inclined to make the same mistake again.

  5. Do not punish your dog for having accidents inside the house; no yelling, and definitely no hitting or swatting with newspapers. Accidents are a natural part of house training.

  6. Use a potty command so your dog understands the difference between going outside to eliminate and going outside for a walk or to play. Use a one or two word command such as “go potty”.

  7. Be patient and consistent and your efforts to potty train new puppy will be successful.

One of the most successful methods of housebreaking a puppy is crate training. It almost always works and causes the least amount of stress for both you and your dog. Believe it or not, crates are the most humane way to train your dog; don’t consider the crate as a punishment. Learn more about crate training here.

Potty training really is easy; it just takes time and attention in the beginning. Don’t be lazy about it. So what do you do if your dog does have an accident?


If your dog has an accident:

  • Don’t yell or hit

  • If you catch your dog in the act, simply pick him up and take him immediately outside and tell him to “go potty”.

  • If you find out there was an accident after the fact, don’t correct him – don’t rub his nose in it, don’t yell at him, and definitely don’t hit him. He will have no idea what’s wrong.

  • Be patient. All dogs and owners go through a learning phase, so just relax and know that it will get easier.

Many Coton parents find it helpful to have their dogs trained to go inside and outside.  My dog Luc is trained to go outside, but he will also use pee pads.  This comes in handy when there's severe weather (he hates getting his feet wet) or if I have to be away from home and can't take him outside. 

Pee pads are easy and convenient, but it can be costly.  You can find great deals for pads and all other house training supplies at Chewy.com.



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