A Simple Puppy Potty Training Routine
April 22nd, 2010 | 
Author: A new puppy, like all babies, requires a regular puppy potty training schedule. A young puppy needs to empty his bladder every hour, and at least once during the night. As the puppy grows, he will be able to hold back urination for an additional hour per month of age, up to a ten-hour maximum.
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How To Potty Train a Puppy
Here is a simple puppy potty training routine that will make training a breeze:
1. The first step is to designate a place in your yard as the “potty spot.” You will be glad that you did. When your dog grows up, he will continue to use his chosen spot, rather than messing up the entire yard.
2. Choose a cue word, such as “go potty,” that will keep him focused on the task. The great outdoors holds many distractions for any dog, but especially for a puppy. During puppy potty training, repeat the cue word until he finishes, so that it becomes attached to the event. Later, this word can be used as a prompt to remind the puppy what is expected of him.
3. Keep the new puppy confined to a small area, such as a pen, crate, or keep him nearby on a leash. Allowing the puppy to roam all over the house only invites trouble, because accidents may happen during dog potty training.
4. Take the puppy to his “potty spot” first thing in the morning, and then every hour after that.
5. The puppy will need to be taken out within fifteen or twenty minutes of eating. Organize his feeding schedule to coincide with his hourly trip outside. Remove uneaten food so that he learns to eat it as soon as it is offered.
6. In the case of older puppies, calculate how long he can hold back – for instance, a four-month-old puppy can hold back urination for a maximum of four hours. However, to avoid accidents, it is best not to push him to his limit. For the first few days, put him on the hourly schedule. Continue taking him out after meals and before bedtime.
7. Have dog treats on hand to give the puppy when he successfully eliminates on command. Give him lots of praise so that he develops a positive mental connection to puppy potty training.
8. If the puppy circles for several minutes without eliminating, take him back inside, but keep a watch out for the signs that he needs to go — circling, sniffing, squatting.
9. If your puppy is constipated, he may be dehydrated. If constipation persists, consult with your veterinarian. Sometimes, adding a high-roughage food such as pumpkin to his meal will cure the problem.
10. After a successful trip to the dog potty spot, enjoy playtime with your puppy. Exercise can stimulate the bowel, so a trip outside may be in order after playtime.
11. Remove the water bowl up to two hours before your bedtime. Take the puppy outside once more before lights out, even if it means waking him up. Setting your alarm for a toilet trip in the “wee” hours will avoid nighttime accidents. As the puppy grows, he will be able to sleep through the night without interruption.
12. Do not, under any circumstances, punish your puppy for the inevitable accident. He will not understand why you are angry, and his anxiety will only prolong puppy potty training.
Your puppy will learn that there is a time for everything: eating, playing, and going potty. Consistency and patience are the keys to successful puppy potty training.
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