How to Toilet Train Your Puppy
Toilet training takes time
Toilet training is a journey, and it can take several months before your puppy is completely house-trained. Puppies have small bladders, and the muscles that control them are still developing, so accidents are a normal part of the process.
Every puppy is different, and the time it takes to become reliably house-trained will vary. Just because Joe's puppy down the road was fully toilet trained by 18 weeks doesn't mean yours will follow the same timeline.
And I know this from personal experience! My own puppy, Edith, wasn't fully house-trained until she was 5 months old — despite having a mum who is a dog trainer! 😂
It can be frustrating when you're cleaning up yet another accident, but try not to compare your puppy's progress with anyone else's. Toilet training isn't a race. Give your puppy time, be consistent and focus on helping them succeed.
Good to know...
If your puppy is not fully vaccinated, then you may have to start with using puppy pads and toilet train them indoors initially before taking the toilet training outdoors. Best to seek advice from your vet as to whether you can use your garden.
Deciding on the toilet area
Before you start, decide where you'd like your puppy to toilet.
If you have a garden, you might choose a particular area you'd like them to use. Taking your puppy to the same spot each time can help them understand what you expect.
If you live on the 12th floor of an apartment, for example, getting outside quickly isn't always possible when your puppy has a tiny bladder. In this situation, you may need to create an indoor toilet area as a temporary option until your puppy is able to hold their bladder for longer.
There's nothing wrong with having an indoor toilet area for those just-in-case moments. However, you don't need to cover your entire floor with puppy pads! One designated area is plenty.
Option A- Outdoors
If your puppy has received all of its vaccinations, you can safely allow them to explore the garden or any outdoor area.
Should I also use puppy pads?
In this case, I wouldn't depend on puppy toilet pads throughout the house. I might place one pad in the puppy's den, which can be used for downtime or when you can't supervise them and take them outside for a toilet break.
The Plan
-
Initially, take your puppy outside to the toilet at least every 30 to 45 minutes.
-
Calmly say your chosen phrase and give your puppy space to relieve themselves.
-
When your puppy successfully toilets, reward them with a treat and celebrate! Remember to reward them only after they have finished, without interrupting them.
-
Bring your puppy back inside and record the toilet break in your diary.
-
Keep a watchful eye on your puppy while also monitoring the time to take them back outside after 30-45 minutes.
How long should you spend outside?
I recommend spending about 10 minutes in the designated toilet area. Some puppies may feel shy about toileting near you, so using a long line or Flexi lead can be helpful during toilet time.
When Inside:
-
Make sure you always have an eye on your puppy. You can either attach your puppy to you with a lead or keep them in the same room (close all doors, it only takes a few seconds for your puppy to run into another room and eliminate there). It’s your job to prevent that from happening!
-
At first, restrict your puppy’s access to rooms that you rarely use and keep doors shut so your puppy can’t run into another room to quickly eliminate. Then introduce your puppy to one room at a time in a slow and controlled manner to ensure the pup knows it is part of the ‘den’ and mustn’t be eliminated. Always be present when your puppy explores a new room and ensure your puppy has been to the toilet beforehand. Spend time in each room with your puppy, feeding them dinner, doing some training or playing, resting while you are reading, etc. and with time, your puppy will begin to think of it as part of their home.
-
Crated or gated off in a small puppy-proofed room:
-
Puppies are less likely to toilet in areas where they sleep or eat. Keeping your puppy crated or gated off in a small space where they can sleep helps them to learn to control their bladders.
-
Make sure your puppy has eliminated before they go to rest in a crate/ gated off space and don’t leave them for longer than two hours max.
-
When using a crate, ensure your puppy has been introduced to the crate properly and views the crate as her safe haven and resting place
When Inside:
Make sure you always have an eye on your puppy. You can either attach your puppy to you with a lead or keep them in the same room (close all doors, it only takes a few seconds for your puppy to run into another room and eliminate there). It’s your job to prevent that from happening!
At first, restrict your puppy’s access to rooms that you rarely use and keep doors shut so your puppy can’t run into another room to quickly eliminate. Then introduce your puppy to one room at a time in a slow and controlled manner to ensure the pup knows it is part of the ‘den’ and mustn’t be eliminated. Always be present when your puppy explores a new room and ensure your puppy has been to the toilet beforehand. Spend time in each room with your puppy, feeding them dinner, doing some training or playing, resting while you are reading, etc. and with time, your puppy will begin to think of it as part of their home.
Crated or gated off in a small puppy-proofed room:
Puppies are less likely to toilet in areas where they sleep or eat. Keeping your puppy crated or gated off in a small space where they can sleep helps them to learn to control their bladders.
Make sure your puppy has eliminated before they go to rest in a crate/ gated off space and don’t leave them for longer than two hours max.
When using a crate, ensure your puppy has been introduced to the crate properly and views the crate as her safe haven and resting place.
Option B- Indoors
If your puppy is not fully vaccinated, then you will have to initially start to toilet train them indoors.
The Plan
-
Place down one or two puppy pads, one in your puppy’s den and one near the exit to the garden or front door.
-
Take your puppy to the toilet pad regularly, at least every 30 minutes to start with,
-
Quietly say your phrase, and give your puppy space to relieve themselves.
-
If your puppy toilets make sure to reward them with a treat and celebrate. Make sure you reward them AFTER they have been to the toilet, don’t interrupt them.
-
Note the toilet in the toilet diary.
-
Keep your eye on your puppy and an eye on the clock in order to take them back to the pad after 30-45 minutes.
-
In time, your puppy should start to take themselves over to the puppy pad. Continue to reward for toilets on the pad.
Top tip- some puppies will not toilet on a dirty pad, so lay a fresh pad after each toilet, however, some puppies may prefer to have a pad down that they have already used.
Toilet Training Hacks
Often, dogs won’t vocalise that they need to go to the toilet; it can be really useful to teach your puppy to ring a bell or press a button with their paw. I have a couple of videos on my social media to help you learn how to train this.
-
Consistently reward your puppy with high-value, delicious treats when they go to the toilet in the right spot.
-
Use an enzymatic cleaner to thoroughly clean up any accidents.
-
Never punish your puppy for toilet accidents. Punishment can cause them to become timid around you and lead to secretive toileting, resulting in even more accidents indoors. Dogs don’t understand wrong vs. right (they understand Safe vs. Dangerous) so telling your dog off for doing something as natural and essential as toileting would be very stressful for them.
Need a little more help with your puppy?
Toilet training is just one part of raising a puppy. If you're struggling with toilet training, puppy biting, settling, recall, loose lead walking or simply want some guidance on getting your puppy off to a great start, I'm here to help.
I offer one-to-one puppy training both in person and online, so you can choose the type of support that works best for you and your puppy.
In-person puppy training
Personalised one-to-one training tailored to you, your puppy and the challenges you're experiencing at home and out in the real world.
Online puppy training
Can't make an in-person session? Online training gives you personalised support from the comfort of your own home.