Once you get past all of the things you find so adorable about your new little puppy, and they sure are cute, reality sets in. The reality is that puppies require a lot of love, training and discipline, especially when it comes to potty training. How long does it take to potty train a puppy?
If you have ever been the proud “parent” of a new puppy, you will surely agree that this can be the most challenging and frustrating elements of owning a puppy. Just when you think they are getting the hang of it, they undoubtedly have an accident somewhere in the house, maybe a few times a day.
Puppies are babies and continue to grow and develop in that first year of life, much like human babies. In their growth, their bladders will grow and develop, allowing them the opportunity to “hold it” for longer periods of time, however, in the meantime, you can expect more than a few accidents along the way. For the first 3-6 months, a puppy cannot fully control his bladder, as it is still in the development stage.
Generally speaking, you can expect your puppy to be fully potty trained within approximately 6-9 months, depending on how much time and effort you put into it. Consistency is the key. Another thing you must bring to the table is a lot of love and patience. Remember that you are dealing with a puppy (baby) who must LEARN all about potty training, and it is your job to teach him.
Some breeds are more stubborn than others in terms of understanding what is expected of them, but with the proper training and most importantly, consistency, you can expect good results no matter what type of dog you are training. It makes no difference whether your puppy is male or female, large or small, what does matter is the quality of training they receive.
In my case, I am dealing with the most adorable little beagle puppy. He is very sweet and intelligent, but also very headstrong, sassy and a lot of times, he is just downright naughty. When it comes to potty training, it amazes me that he can learn to shake paw, sit or sit up in an hour or so, but try to get this guy outside to go potty and he does not seem to get it. Sometimes it seems like he is just not going potty outside to get back at me for not giving him an extra treat!
I have not had a puppy for many years and it did not take me long to remember just how much work they can be, especially when it comes to potty training.
There are several things to remember if trying to potty train your puppy, and the sooner you begin, the better.
As much as possible, try to get the puppy on a set schedule to include feedings, grooming and daily walks. Some people choose to walk their dogs in the early morning, while others prefer an evening walk. Some people choose both morning and evening. Regardless of your preference, it will not be long until your puppy will be looking forward to getting his exercise and begin to sense (or know) about what time of day it will happen.
Feed your puppy at the same time every day. It does not matter whether you fill his bowl with food first thing in the morning, or give him one small feeding in the morning and another in the evening.
Get into the habit of letting your puppy outside to go potty first thing in the morning, last thing at night and approximately 20-30 minutes after each feeding. You will also want to keep a close watch to make sure he does not get the opportunity to go potty in the house. Watch for the signs such as sniffing, walking in circles and squatting.
Make it an exciting event to go outside and go potty by the tone of your voice. When your puppy successfully goes potty outside, you want to praise him and pet him, letting him know you are very happy with what he accomplished. Take a few small treats along with you to reward your puppy right after he went potty. Treats speak volumes and work wonders in the training of your puppy.
Positive reinforcement, patience and above all – consistency – are the keys to potty training your puppy quickly and successfully.
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