Potty Training a Puppy: BEFORE You Grab That Coffee...

Potty Training Your Puppy

No really — put the mug down.
The very first thing you should do in the morning? Let that puppy outside!

Potty training really comes down to three things: routine, supervision and repetition.

Your puppy isn't going to arrive home understanding where the bathroom is. That's our job to teach them.

And the more opportunities we give them to get it right, the faster they're going to understand what we want.

 First Things First: Early Morning = Go Time

Before your eyes are even fully open, your puppy needs to go outside.

Puppy → leash → potty spot.

Don't wander through the house. Don't stop to make coffee. And don't turn that first trip into playtime.

We're outside for a reason.

Once they've taken care of business, then we can start the day.

 Your Kennel Can Help With Potty Training

A kennel can be a very useful part of potty training, but bigger isn't always better.

I like using a large kennel with a divider that can be moved as the puppy grows.

You want enough room for your puppy to comfortably stand up, turn around and lie down—not so much extra room that they can use one end as a bathroom and sleep at the other.

And with a Rottweiler puppy, you'll probably be moving that divider more often than you think.

They grow like weeds!

We'll talk much more about the kennel, sleeping alone and helping your puppy adjust

 in the Crate Training guide.

 Pick a Potty Spot

Take your puppy to the same general area outside each time.

The familiar location and scent can help them understand why they're there.

And this is important: clean indoor accidents thoroughly.

Use an enzyme cleaner designed for pet accidents to help remove the odor left behind.

One of my old tricks?

If they poop inside, pick it up and put it outside in their potty area.

You're helping put the smell where you actually want them to go.

Might not be glamorous—but neither is stepping in it at 2:00 in the morning. 😂

 Give It a Name

Just like everything else we're teaching, see the behavior and name it.

While your puppy is actually going, calmly say whatever phrase you want to use:

“Go potty.”

or

“Get your business done.”

It doesn't really matter what words you choose. What matters is using the same words consistently.

Over time, your puppy begins to associate those words with what they're doing.

And you'll really appreciate that later when you're standing outside at a hotel, airport or rest stop thinking:

PLEASE just go potty. 😂

 When Should I Take My Puppy Out?

Young puppies need frequent opportunities to go outside.

Don't get too caught up in watching the clock. Pay attention to what's happening in your puppy's day.

Think about taking your puppy outside:

• First thing in the morning
• After eating or drinking
• After waking from a nap
• After play or excitement
• Before going into the kennel
• As soon as they come out of the kennel
• Before bedtime
• Anytime you see signs that they may need to go

You'll also start discovering that your puppy has their own little schedule.

And yes—sometimes they'll potty, walk twenty feet, sniff something interesting and suddenly remember:

“Oh yeah... I wasn't finished.”

Give them a minute.

Learn Your Puppy's “I Have to Go” Signs

Pay attention to your puppy.

They may suddenly stop playing, wander away, start sniffing the floor, circle,

become restless or head toward an area where they've had an accident before.

Those little behaviors can be your warning that it's time to head outside.

Sometimes the warning is pretty obvious.

Sometimes you get approximately three seconds. 😂

The more closely you watch your puppy during those first weeks,

the quicker you'll start recognizing their signs.

 Potty First. Play Second.

Especially in the beginning, don't let every potty trip immediately turn into recess.

Take your puppy to the potty area and give them a chance to take care of business first.

Then praise them.

Then they can sniff, explore or play.

Otherwise, some puppies become very good at taking you outside to play—and apparently completely forget why you thought you were going out there.

 Accidents Are Information

Your puppy is going to have an accident.

Probably more than one.

Don't punish them after the fact. Your puppy isn't going to connect your anger now

with an accident that happened several minutes ago.

Clean it up and think about what happened.

Did we wait too long?

Did they just wake up?

Had they just eaten or had a big drink?

Were we busy and missed their signal?

Did they have too much freedom in the house?

An accident usually tells us that we need to adjust something about the routine or supervision.

And remember something we've already talked about:

Sometimes we have to train ourselves, too.

Celebrate the Wins

When your puppy gets it right, let them know.

Praise them. Give them a treat if you want.

Make going potty outside something worth repeating.

Then do it again.

And again.

And again.

That's really what potty training is.

Give them lots of opportunities to get it right, pay attention to their patterns, and be consistent.

Some puppies catch on quickly. Others take a little longer.

Either way, you won't be standing outside in your pajamas forever.

Although for a while, it may feel like it. 😂

Keep It Simple

You don't need a complicated potty-training system.

• Watch your puppy.
• Take them out often.
• Use the same general potty area.
• Give the behavior a name.
• Praise them when they get it right.
  Clean up the mistakes and move on.

The goal isn't perfection on day one.

It's helping your puppy understand, through repetition, where you want them to go.

Be patient. Be repetitive. Be kind.

Potty training won't last forever—and one day you'll realize you haven't thought about it in weeks.

That's when you know all those trips outside finally paid off.