House Breaking - Potty Training Your Puppy
Bringing home a new puppy? You'll quickly see how important potty training is! Teaching your dog where to go to the bathroom right away will help you avoid accidents around the house. Like most pet parents, you might need some guidance. Whether you're training your pup to potty indoors or outdoors, Wee-Wee Pads are a great tool. Housebreaking your new puppy is an exciting journey, and with consistency, your puppy will learn quickly! Check out these tips on how to potty train your puppy using Wee-Wee Pads & transitioning to going outside.
1. Pick a Potty Spot
Potty training your puppy is easier if you give them a regular spot to do their business. Once you’ve picked the perfect Wee-Wee Pad for your dog, place it in a spot that’s easy for them to reach but away from busy areas. A quiet corner in the room where your puppy spends most of their time works well.
2. Get Your Dog Used to the Pad
Wee-Wee Pads are designed with a built-in attractant that encourages dogs to use them instead of your carpet or floors. To help your puppy get familiar with the pad, place them on it several times throughout the day so they can get used to the scent.
3. Recognize the Signs
Now that your dog knows where to go, it’s important to watch for when they need to eliminate. Signs include sniffing, circling, and starting to squat or lift a leg. When you notice these signs, say "potty" and guide them to the Wee-Wee Pad.
Puppies usually need to go first thing in the morning, after naps, about 20 minutes after drinking water, and after playtime. If they don’t go right away, try again a bit later. Keeping track of when your puppy uses the pad can help you spot patterns and know when to take them back.
4. Praise Your Puppy
When your puppy successfully uses the pad, let them know they did well! A treat, toy, or simple praise can show your dog that you’re happy with their behavior.
5. Swap the Pad
After celebrating your puppy’s success, replace the used pad with a fresh one but in the early stages of training, let the puppy urinate a few times before changing it so the puppy’s scent is on the pad. Keep guiding them to the pad whenever they seem like they need to go. Over time, they’ll learn to associate the Wee-Wee Pad’s scent with potty time. If they have an accident elsewhere, don’t worry—this is normal during training. Just calmly put them back on the pad and encourage them to go there.
6. Transition to Outdoor Potty Training
If you eventually want your dog to potty outside, start by moving the Wee-Wee Pad closer to the door a little bit each day. Once it’s by the door, move it outside to a preferred spot. Take your dog to this spot regularly, and soon they’ll be comfortable doing their business outside.
Before you know it, your puppy will be a potty-training pro!