In this article, we’ll go over several steps to potty train a puppy. I’ll also give you information about a free, step-by-step video series from Professional Dog Trainer and Behavioral Specialist, Doggy Dan, on the best way to potty train a puppy.
I’ve watched the series. It’s the best step-by-step puppy potty training advice available online, and it’s free.
Puppy Potty Training
In this post, we’ll cover:
- The Best Way to Potty Train a Puppy
- How to Show Your Puppy Where to Pee
- How Often to Take a Puppy Outside
- Being Consistent with Commands
- Never Rub Your Puppy’s Nose in It!
- Using Crate Training for Puppy Potty Training
- Free Puppy Potty Training Video Series
- Our #1 Recommendation for Super Effective Puppy Training
WATCH MY VIDEO: what is the best way to potty train a puppy
How to Show Your Puppy Where to Pee
How to Show Your Puppy Where to PeeThe best way to show your puppy where you want them to pee is to show them the correct place. The best way to do this is to take them out when they need to go and then praise them when they go.
You will be amazed how quickly they will learn if you give them an amazing treat for going in the right place.
Think of it like this: if the treat is a little piece of cheese, your puppy will start looking for the cheese after only a few pees in the correct place. He’ll remember – it’s true!
Sign up for details about the Perfect Puppy Program created by Doggy Dan, Professional Dog Trainer and Behavioral Specialist, and creator of the dog training website, The Online Dog Trainer.
How Often to Take a Puppy Outside
How Often to Take a Puppy OutsideA puppy’s bladder is very small. At about eight weeks or so, a puppy’s bladder is so small and they can only hold on for sometimes 30 minutes or so before they may need to go again. So you must be vigilant.
After a meal, puppies will often need to go within 60 seconds so always take them straight outside. You should also take them outside as soon as they wake up, and also the last thing at night before bed.
If your puppy consistently pees overnight, read this article, Why Your Dog Pees While Sleeping for useful information as to why.
Also check out my post, How to Get a Puppy to Tell You When They Have to Go Outside (includes video).
Be Consistent with Commands
Associate a word that everyone in the house sticks to such as, “go pee-pee!” This way your puppy will start to hear the word and know what it means.
If your puppy does not go when you take him outside, then be aware that he may still need to relieve himself soon and restrict his movement to a smaller area that is easy to clean until he is taken outside and actually goes.
Never Rub Your Puppy’s Nose in It!
You should never rub a puppy’s nose in it to teach it a lesson. A puppy’s nose is 1000 times more sensitive than a human’s and this will never teach them not to do it again.
They will simply not know what they did wrong and do it out of sight the next time – such as behind the couch – to prevent getting the same punishment again.
Does Crate Training Help Potty Training?
Does Crate Training Help Potty Training?Crate training can be beneficial for puppy potty training and training your puppy in general. But it has to be done correctly. You can see a free, step-by-step puppy crate training tutorial from Doggy Dan here:
For More Puppy Toilet Training Help
There are lots more tips and tricks that can assist you. These are the real basics. Take a look at The Online Dog Trainer for more fantastic advice about how to stop any puppy issue.
The Online Dog Trainer teaches every aspect of dog training with simple, step-by-step videos. You can read my complete review here.
They give you a 3-day trial for only $1 so you can see everything before you decide to sign up. You can go directly to Doggy Dan’s potty training program:
Struggling with Puppy Training?
Struggling with Puppy Training?If you feel like you’re really struggling with training your puppy, check out this article, Why You’re Struggling to Train Your Puppy. It includes a free tutorial from Doggy Dan!
I Donate to Animal Charities
I Donate to Animal CharitiesThank you for visiting my website. I hope you’ll take advantage of Doggy Dan’s free puppy potty training video series!
I donate 10% of my earnings to animal charities. You can see a list of the charities I donate to here. Thank you! Debra
You’ve put together a really good post about training a puppy to pee outside. I like when a website keeps the information right to the point with what they want to say.
Having a puppies perspective for what they will do and how they relate is very important and you mentioned all the key things to keep in mind while your trying to train one.
Love animals and websites like yours for giving people proper insight.
Thanks so much. I’m learning too as I build this website!
great website I am and animal lover and proud owner of a Yorkie he is and always will be my best friend my true buddy.
Visiting your site has opened my eyes on a few issues I was having 1 was bathing learned what I was doing wrong love the video.
2 the part about peeing was not sure what I was doing wrong now I know. I also think it is great you donate to ASPCA and other charities.
Thanks so much – I’m glad you found this website helpful! Yorkies are so darn cute. 🙂
Hi there Debra,
This is a great article for new dog owners. I always get asked by my clients on how to toilet train their puppies and my answer is, put them on the soil or grass as often so that they’ll ‘get the idea’.
Now, I know that apartments might not have easy access to this, hence I would encourage them to use pet sheets or newspaper (more economical) to let the pups develop a spot-preference. Also, I would not suggest that they change this spot all the time as the pups might get confuse.
For those who have access to garden or parks, I would advise owners to bring them out at least 3 times a day -morning, evening and night – so that pups get the routine.
Totally agree with rubbing the nose. I have had owners put chili powder as ‘punishment’ and I find that so absurd!
Ah do you focus on dogs or also other animals? I really like the site but unfortunately I don’t have one here now I moved to Paris. The city is too small for keep a animal. Plus the street must say is narrow and not so clean. I feel dogs need sooo much space and love that it isn’t good to keep one without such condition.
You’re wise to think it through to decide whether having a dog is right for you at this time. Maybe in the future you’ll be able to get a pooch! 🙂
So my pup knows they need to potty outside but how do I teach them to tell me when they need to go outside?
That’s a great question! I think I’ll try to find as much help as I can with that and do a post or video about it. For now, here’s a video on YouTube from a well-known dog trainer on this: https://youtu.be/qL2qkhDALK0?si=ytGA50A2VGbRBAkO
His method sounds super effective!
I hope this helps. Thanks again for giving me a great idea for a post and video! Debra