Tips for Puppy Potty Training

Puppy training takes weeks of patience and consistency. A puppy just does what comes natural - relieving the bladder once the urgency arises. The goal for a new puppy owner is to use positive reinforcement to housebreak the dog. This process takes several weeks, and the puppy may still have accidents several months into training. Using certain methods, a new puppy owner can turn frequent messes in the house into casual walks with a housebroken dog.

Positive Reinforcement is Key

When your puppy urinates outside, praise him for being good. Your puppy wants to please you, and the positive reinforcement tells him that what has just happened makes you happy, leading to quicker puppy potty training. This is the start of training your puppy for anything - tricks, housebreaking, walking on a leash, and barking control.

Crate Training

Crate training is a relatively new concept for puppy training. Dogs are clean animals, and they do not want to urinate where they eat or sleep. Placing the puppy in the crate overnight or while you are at work helps potty train the dog to hold urine, since the dog does not want to go in the area where he sleeps. Your puppy should not be kept in the crate for too long. Every 4-5 hours, take the dog out to walk and play. You can leave the dog in the crate while at work, but let him play when you get home.

Verbal Communication

Verbal communication reprimands your puppy is to catch him in the act. When you catch the dog, make loud noises and say "No!" Use a stern, low tone when reprimanding the puppy. Don't hit the dog. Your puppy will pick up on your anger and tone of voice. Puppy training involves ongoing communication.

Immediately after verbally reprimanding the dog, take him outside. If the puppy urinates again outdoors, praise him in a happy voice. The verbal communication with the dog will let him know when you are happy and angry. The puppy will relate urinating in the home with making you angry, discouraging the habit of indoor urination.

Be Consistent with Walking Times

A new puppy is unable to hold urine in for long periods of time. A puppy has a small bladder, and doesn't have the capability of holding urine. Once the dog ages, he will be able to hold urine for hours. Until then, keep a constant schedule, walking the dog every few hours. Attempt to walk the dog at the same time every day, so the puppy expects to go outside for urination.

These few tips will discourage your dog from urinating in the house. With positive reinforcement and consistent walks, your new puppy will be potty trained in several weeks. Potty training takes several months, so be patient and don't give up on the dog.