Potty training your puppy? Tips to make it easier and quicker

Potty training was one of the hardest challenges I faced with my kids. It is a long term challenge and needs a lot of patience and determination. When I met up with a friend who recently own a Puppy, I learnt from her that Potty Training a Puppy is not going to be different in anyways.

When we start anything, we always prefer to achieve the end result quickly and the fast world we live in, though forces us for speedy solutions and achievements in short time, some parts of life does not always allow it to happen.

The same applies with Potty Training too. Although we wish it happens too quicker than we expect, the reality is, it doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re dreading the answer to ‘how long does it take to potty train a puppy?’, your fear is completely understandable as it definitely takes a while.

The success mantra is “don’t give up. Your efforts will be worth it”!

Here are some tips from the experienced experts to achieve your results within a short time and without getting more disappointments.

Benefits of Potty Training your puppy

Potty Training a Pup is not a quick win! It takes time and needs a lot of walks to the park during the initial period. Once Potty trained, your puppy will be more happier and confident, which will give your relationship a great start and make your life easier and increase the bond between you and the Pup.

When To begin Potty Training?

This is the most crucial decision you need to make when you decide to start potty training your pup. The perfect time is usually when your puppy starts to be independent of its mother. When your puppy finds its feet, has open eyes and responds well to noises you know it’s ready.

Your puppy may be 12 weeks during this time period. And, don’t worry, it’s not too young. The sooner you start potty training the quicker your puppy will learn good habits in a shorter time.

Set Up a Routine

A routine helps your puppy determine the best times to potty and it is important that you strictly stick to the routine as much as possible and everyday.

The best times are When your puppy wakes up in the morning or after every nap and before going to bed at night. As soon as the pup is awake, take it outside to the allocated spot. In that way, it has very less time to have accidents inside the home. This routine will make your puppy think it’s natural to wake up and go outside immediately.

It is the best practise to take your puppy outside before bedtime that will ensure that the puppy goes to bed with an empty bladder. Try not to feed your puppy heavily as hour before bed time and during any wake up while sleeping at night.

Go outside with your puppy when it needs to go and not just when it suits you.

First Thing in the Morning: Avoid getting your pup excited by greeting them with too much enthusiasm. Staying calm and speaking softly will help your puppy hold it in better.
After Every Nap: Whenever your dog wakes up from a nap. It is their first reaction to go to the bathroom whenever they wake up.
During and After Play: They get so excited, your dog may need to go, even if they don’t know it yet.
Five to 30 Minutes After Feeding Time: You’ll soon learn if it’s five or 30 minutes, but until you do, start with bringing your pup outside five minutes after eating and be patient. Just wait for it.

Consistency is the Key

Stick to the same place every time – In that way, the pup knows that it is time to do its business while at that place. Dogs usually smell a place before releasing, so the same scent everyday will form regular and good habit.

If at home, find a consistent place to stick to at any time – Even before going to bed or during middle of the night, head to the same place every time when the pup needs to go. So, it is important to identity an easily accessible, convenient space to make it simpler for you.

Establish regular eating habits. Do this by controlling what your puppy eats and drinks. Remove their bowl of food when they are no longer interested, even if they have not eaten it all. This is important because you must take your dog out five to 30 minutes after they have eaten. If you let your dog graze and eat all the time, you won’t know when to bring them out. And don’t worry, they’ll eat again later in the day and won’t starve.

Make it the last thing you do before going to bed – Remember to be patient here as well, even though you just want to go to bed.

If they need to go in the middle of the night – Just keep it silent and quick. They might think it’s time to play after having relieved themselves, but you must show your dog it’s not. Do so by being silent and returning to bed immediately.

Remove their water bowl two hours before going to bed. This will help your puppy sleep longer at night without needing to go outside to pee. And, you’ll sleep longer and better, too. Most puppies can sleep for about seven hours without having to relieve themselves if you get the conditions right. That sounds good, right?

Watch your Puppy for signs

Even though you get all the routines right, your puppy is a lovely living creature – not a machine. So they might want to relive themselves at other times, as well. As a consequence, you must always watch out for the signs they need to go out. If your puppy looks restless, is barking or scratching at the door, there might be a reason to take them outside.

If your dog starts sniffing around and/or circling you have to hurry. Take them outside right away, because this is a sign, that they want to trample the grass down to have a poo. They do this to avoid having grass in the butt.

How Long Does Training Take?

It will take approximately four to six months to fully train your dog. The time estimation depends on how strict you are with training your puppy. If some days, you get slack in training it, the process takes a tremendous step back.

Feel free to take help from family members and even if they are not interested, insist them to help you to potty train your puppy. Your puppy will be confused if some days people allow it to mess inside while other times it gets punished for it.

When every member of the house follows the training your puppy will learn good potty manners quicker.