10 Essential Tips for House Training Puppies

1. Be Prepared Before Your Puppy Arrives

The arrival of a new puppy is an exciting time. Beyond researching breeds, feeding, and buying toys, gather essential house training supplies such as plastic covers, newspaper, puppy training pads (optional), a safe detergent free of ammonia to clean accidents, and rubber gloves. Organise a safe garden area for toileting and check with your breeder if house training has started. Matching their schedule and commands will help your puppy adjust quickly. Begin training immediately when your pup comes home to set a good foundation.

2. Remain Patient and Gentle

Puppies thrive with kind, calm guidance. Be firm but never frustrated; accidents are normal. Very young pups cannot hold their bladder overnight, so provide a crate or pen with enough room for sleeping, drinking, and toileting areas. If progress stalls, honestly reassess your routine, consistency, and time commitment. Never punish toileting indoors as this can cause fear and hiding behaviours, making matters worse.

3. Anticipate Your Puppy’s Needs

Understanding your puppy's perspective makes training smoother. Take your pup outside to the designated toilet spot after waking, after eating (typically four meals a day), after naps, and before bedtime. Although not every trip results in toileting, providing regular opportunities helps establish good habits. Puppies have limited control and higher metabolic rates, especially small breeds, so may need to toilet every couple of hours. If frequent outdoor trips aren't possible, create an indoor toileting area.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward-based training encourages your puppy to toilet correctly. Use consistent cue words like “wee time” or “poo time” just before outings. Always praise and reward your pup immediately after they go in the right place. Accidents are unintentional; never reprimand your puppy but guide them kindly. Constant encouragement helps build confidence and understanding.

5. Maintain Good Hygiene

Clean up accidents promptly with safe enzyme-based cleaners that remove odours rather than masking them. Avoid ammonia detergents as they smell like urine and can attract puppies to the same spot. Good hygiene also reduces bacterial risks to keep your home and puppy healthy.

6. Ensure Consistency Across the Family

Everyone involved in your puppy’s care should follow the same training routine and use consistent rules and commands. Inconsistency can confuse your puppy and slow down progress. Family teamwork is key to successful house training.

7. Expect Setbacks Without Panic

Accidents and regressions happen and are completely normal. Changes in routine, excitement, anxiety, reaching sexual maturity, or distractions like garden exploration can cause temporary setbacks. Stay calm, patient, and adjust your approach as needed.

8. Monitor Your Puppy’s Diet

Quality of food affects toileting frequency and stool volume. Lower-grade foods often cause puppies to eat more and poo more. Well-digestible, appropriate puppy food reduces waste. Avoid salty treats that increase thirst and urination frequency. Always provide unrestricted access to fresh water.

9. Establish a Routine but Adapt as Needed

If your toilet training routine isn’t effective, keep a brief diary of accidents and timings. Analyse patterns to spot causes and adjust schedules or methods accordingly. Sometimes returning to basics before progressing again is necessary to overcome challenges.

10. Teaching Toileting on Walks

Once vaccinated and old enough for walks, puppies often toilet en route or immediately at home. Some pups may focus so much on exploring that toileting is postponed until returning home. To encourage toileting outside, take early morning walks before the pup has already toileted in the garden. Repeat this consistently until your puppy learns to relieve themselves during walks, not just at home.