When it comes to potty training a puppy, consistency is your secret weapon. Puppies thrive on routine, and the more predictable your day-to-day schedule is, the easier it will be for your pup to learn where and when they’re expected to go.
A solid puppy potty training schedule helps your furry friend make the right choices without the mess. Keep in mind, your puppy isn’t being stubborn; they’re learning! So be patient, and more importantly, be consistent.
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Every time your puppy goes potty outside, it’s a big deal so make it feel that way! Use lots of praise, high-value treats, and enthusiastic energy after they finish. Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to build lasting habits, especially during the early weeks of training.
This combination of a structured routine and clear, positive feedback helps reinforce the behavior you want to see. Soon enough, your pup will begin to understand that going potty outside means good things happen.
Need a place to start? Below is a general guide to creating a puppy routine for potty success. Stick to it as closely as possible, and tweak it to fit your puppy’s age, size, and daily habits. Remember every puppy is unique, but all benefit from consistency.
Don’t forget to refer to our full Potty Training resource for more tips on supervision, crate training, and setting your pup up for success.
Puppy Name: COCO
Date: 2 March 2025
When it comes to potty training success, more opportunities to go outside means fewer indoor accidents. Start by taking your puppy outside frequently and pay close attention when mishaps do occur. Note the time of day and specific location of each accident, this insight is gold.
For example, you might log something like:
Monday:
Pee at 2 PM in the living room
Poop at 4 PM in the living room
Tuesday:
Pee at 11 AM and 2 PM in the living room
Recording this information daily will help you identify patterns, allowing you to tailor a more effective and predictable potty schedule as you go.
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Monitor and restrict access to high-risk areas like the living room when you’re not actively watching your pup.
Schedule more frequent trips to the yard to give your puppy more chances to go potty in the right place.
Remember, consistency and observation are your best friends during this stage!
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