The number one question from a new puppy owner is always, always how do I housetrain my new dog. It is also probably the number one cause of stress to bringing your new puppy home; right next to will it sleep through the night.
In fact, housebreaking your puppy doesn’t need to be stressful or disconcerting. There are two huge “cheats” when it comes to house training. Utilizing those cheats in a positive manner will save you hours of cleaning up and stress filled nights.
Related Article: Socializing a new Puppy
Here are the cheats to housebreaking your puppy!
The first cheat is one that mom starts building in from Day 1 … cleanliness where you sleep and eat! This is an idea you want to enhance and build upon when you bring your new pup home.
The second cheat is your pups digestive tract. Thankfully, they don’t really have bladder control and food travels through their system pretty darn fast. So, if your pup has eaten or drank in the last 30 minutes he or she probably needs to go out to potty as soon as possible.
When helping my client’s house train we use the above two “cheats” to set a schedule and plan for housetraining their new pup. Part of the plan is always keeping your pups space restricted except for the first 5-10 minutes after they have both peed and pooped outside. This keeps that cleanly factor in play.
Also, always take your pup out at after he eats or drinks and keep taking them out every 5 minutes until they relieve themselves. This makes sure you catch their digestive tract in action; you can fine-tune the timing as you learn your puppy’s ways.
Another big schedule must have is taking your new pup out immediately after you wake up … and hitting the snooze button doesn’t count. The minute you start waking up, so does your pup. Take your new pup out, then go crawl back into bed and snooze away.
The last is having a nighttime routine. You need to make sure you stop all water and food at least 1 hour (maybe more) before bedtime and have at least two decent potty breaks, the last right before bed. If your pup drinks all the way up to bed time, well you won’t be sleeping through the night and neither will your new pup!
Following a set schedule and applying a little bit of discipline to you and your pups lives will ensure housebreaking your puppy becomes just a matter of time instead of a tumultuous process.
Why Consistency is Key in Housetraining
One of the most overlooked aspects of successful housetraining is consistency—not just in schedule, but in your reactions and rewards. Puppies thrive on routine, and every interaction reinforces their habits. When you take your pup outside to potty, use the same door every time. This creates a clear association between that exit and bathroom breaks. Additionally, always use a consistent verbal cue like “Go potty” as they relieve themselves. Over time, this command will help speed up the process, especially in bad weather or unfamiliar places.
Another pro tip: Keep a housetraining journal for the first few weeks. Note the times your puppy eats, drinks, sleeps, and successfully goes potty outside. You’ll start to see patterns emerge, allowing you to anticipate their needs before accidents happen. This also helps identify if certain foods or schedules cause more frequent potty breaks.
The Power of Positive Reinforcement
When your puppy does their business outside, celebrate like they just won the lottery! Immediate praise, treats, or a quick play session reinforces that outside pottying = amazing things. Avoid scolding for indoor accidents—it only creates anxiety. Instead, interrupt calmly (a quick “Oops!”), take them outside, and reward heavily if they finish there.
Small Breed Considerations
Toy and small-breed puppies have tinier bladders and faster metabolisms, meaning they’ll need more frequent outings—sometimes every 20 minutes during active play. Adjust your schedule accordingly, and consider indoor potty pads as a backup during extreme weather.