Here is the #1 Secret to Potty Training Your Puppy
1. Buy a Crate
There are two tribes in the world – those who like crates and those who don’t. If you fall into the second camp, I can respect where you’re coming from. I distinctly remember the first time I visited a shelter and saw all the dogs locked up in cages. It was a memorable moment (and not a positive one). What we’re talking about with crates is NOT this at all.
Actually, our dogs love their crates. Its their safe place. Their home. Dogs are den-animals. In the wild, it could be a cave. In our apartment, its the crate. (or if you ask Layla our 3 year old black lab, its under the end table)
Your dog’s instinctual need for a den is your #1 resource to potty training your dog and is what you are going to use to potty train your dog. Dogs are naturally clean animals and WILL NOT soil their personal space if they can avoid it.
The crate should be new (your puppy will smell anything that’s been in there before) and just big enough for him to stand up in, turn around and lay down. It shouldn’t be much bigger because you absolutely don’t want him to be able to go potty on one side and sleep on the other- its bad for his psychology.
Puppies can hold their bladder (on average, small dogs have even smaller bladders and will therefore need to go more often) 1 hour for each month old they are. 3 months = 3 hours.
Your job is to use this knowledge to your advantage.
2. Crate Train your dog using the “What goes in, must come out” principle
Training begins during your puppy’s next meal. This will not be difficult at all if you focus on a couple of easy rules.
1. Follow a regular feeding schedule. Make food available to your dog based on your vet’s recommended feeding guidelines. Do not let them graze all day- it will be a nightmare keeping track and its about 15x likelier your puppy will have an accident inside.
2. Puppies should be put in their crate immediately after their meals. This gives them time to be calm after their meals which is good for digestion, and teaches them to ask to go out. Puppies don’t have huge digestive tracks….they process food and water pretty quickly. From our personal experience, Jack (our lab/boxer mix) can be counted on to ask to go potty approximately 1.5 minutes after drinking water and 3.5 minutes after eating. He’s a metabolic machine and incredibly predictable. Most puppies will want to go between 5 minutes and 30 minutes after eating/drinking.
b. When they ask, let them out of their crate and IMMEDIATELY take them out. Say “Go Potty” (or whatever distinct command you want to use; just be consistent).
If they go- praise them ” Good Potty!” Make sure they’ve gotten it all out. Give them a minute, but don’t let them play.
If they don’t go, they go back in the crate. IT is VERY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THIS RULE. As a matter of fact- I’m going to say it again.
c. If they go- they get praise. If they don’t, they go back in their crate. This is for two reasons. The first is, they’ll go inside the first minute you take your eyes off them. The second reason is you don’t want to inadvertently teach them that they can whine and get let out of their crate and go play. It will take between 8-15 times before your puppy figures out these new rules. If you teach them when they whine they get let out, its over. You will have ruined your life. Just kidding, but seriously.
3. If an accident happens; and it will. Don’t be angry. Its already happened. If you catch them in the act, they need to be taken outside immediately. If you don’t catch them in the act, the mess HAS to be cleaned up- and cleaned up right. If its not, it could become a habit for your puppy. I recommend Natures Miracle or a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. Nature’s Miracle is really the way to go though. Soak up the spot, spray the spot, let sit for 10 minutes, soak up the remaining spray. Done.
4. Your dog wants to do right. Expect the best, say please and thank you. Give your dog plenty of Exercise, Discipline, and Affection and you will be on your way to a very happy relationship with your dog.
If you have any additional questions about training your dog, I recommend checking out this resource and course. I’ve learned a ton from the training material I purchased from them. It’s worth at least 10 private sessions with a professional dog trainer (about $750).
Now I can trust my dog:
- When meeting new dogs
- Not to dig up the garden
- To come when I call him, First Time; Every Time
- To go on walks and runs with me and not pull ahead
- To rest and relax when I’m away
- To greet me affectionately and exuberantly when I get home
- To not jump on the neighbor kids when they want to pet him
- To “be easy” when taking treats
- To wait patiently for a treat for more than 20 minutes
If you want to learn how to make your friends jealous- I recommend Secrets of Dog Training