Burlington, Ia
Potty Training Tips
Additional Information
We do not suggest giving your puppy complete run of your house until he is completely crate trained! Keep him crated during his crate time and in an exercise pen unless you are right with him. Do not let him run loose just because he is in the same room. If he should go to the bathroom in the corner or another place in your house while you are not looking, he may begin to think that is the spot he should continue to potty at.
Follow the daily eating schedule! If he eats on a schedule, then he will begin to relieve himself on a schedule! Begin by taking him outside every couple hours (as seen our Potty Schedule) until he is eliminating consistently and you feel confident in his ability.
A common potty training frustration, is when a puppy will go outside, and refuse to go potty. Then upon entering the house, he will go.
By only letting him out at 5 minute intervals, he will learn to promptly eliminate. By not letting him down on your floor until after he has eliminated outside, you ensure he does not begin the habit of eliminating in the house.
Allow him 5 minutes to eliminate. If he doesn’t go in 5 minutes, then carry him inside and hold him in your lap for 5 minutes. Do not set him down. This would give him a perfect opportunity to have an accident on your floor. After the 5 minutes on your lap is over, take him outside again for 5 minutes. Continue to repeat this until he goes potty outside. After he eliminates successfully, reward him with 10 minutes of playtime and praise!
*If he consistently is not ready to eliminate for 15-20 minutes after eating, try waiting about 10-15 minutes after he eats, to begin the “taking outside” process.
