Housetraining a New Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but teaching them proper potty habits is one of the most important first steps in their training. Puppies thrive on routine, consistency, and positive reinforcement, and with patience, they’ll quickly learn where and when to go potty. Follow this guide to set your pup up for success!

🏡 Step 1: Establish a Potty Routine
✔ Frequent Potty Breaks – Puppies have small bladders! Take them outside every 1-2 hours, especially after waking up, eating, drinking, playing, and before bedtime.
✔ Choose a Designated Potty Spot – Using the same area every time helps your puppy associate the spot with going potty. The familiar scent will encourage them.
✔ Use a Cue Word – Saying a phrase like “Go potty” as they go helps them learn to associate the command with the action.
✔ Reward Immediately – Right after your puppy finishes, offer praise, treats, or affection to reinforce good behavior.

🐶 Step 2: Supervise & Prevent Accidents
✔ Keep a Close Eye – Until fully trained, your puppy should always be supervised indoors to prevent sneaky accidents.
✔ Use a Crate or Playpen – A crate or small enclosed area helps puppies learn to hold it, as they won’t want to soil their sleeping space.
✔ Watch for Signs – If your puppy starts sniffing, circling, or whining, take them outside right away.

🛑 Step 3: Handling Accidents the Right Way
✔ Stay Calm – Accidents are normal! Never punish your puppy, as it can create fear and confusion. Instead, calmly clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odors.
✔ Interrupt Gently – If you catch your puppy mid-accident, say "Oops! Outside!" and quickly guide them to their potty spot. Praise them if they finish outside.
✔ Adjust the Schedule – Frequent accidents mean your puppy needs more potty breaks or closer supervision.

🚀 Step 4: Reinforcing Good Habits
✔ Be Patient & Consistent – Puppies take time to learn. Stick to the routine, avoid long gaps between potty breaks, and always reward success.
✔ Extend Time Between Breaks – As your puppy gets older, they can hold it longer. Slowly increase time between potty breaks to teach bladder control.
✔ Transition to Full Freedom – Once your puppy is consistently accident-free, start giving them more supervised freedom in the house.

💙 Building a Lifelong Habit
Housetraining is a process, but with love, patience, and consistency, your puppy will master their potty routine. Set them up for success now, and you'll enjoy a well-trained, happy companion for years to come!

🐶 Ready to start housetraining? Your pup is counting on you!