7 Tips for Potty Training a New Puppy

Having a regular feeding and walk schedule will help in potty training a new puppy. Consistency is key when housebreaking your dog, so make sure you stick with the same routine every day.

When it’s time for his first trip outside, pick up your pup and carry him outside as soon as you hear him start to whimper or bark for attention. As soon as he goes, praise him enthusiastically and give him his reward (a treat).

potty training a puppy in a crate

A crate is a good tool to have on hand when you’re potty training a puppy. A crate isn’t just for puppies, either; it’s also useful for older dogs who have been doing well at the housebreaking thing but need more time to finish their business outside before coming back inside. It can also help you get work done around the house while your dog is keeping busy in his little den.

If you haven’t already bought one, make sure that whatever type of crate you choose—a wire cage with removable divider panels or a plastic model with a top and bottom—it’s large enough for your puppy to stand up in and turn around without having to curl up into an uncomfortable position or bumping into things. He’ll be spending plenty of time in it if he really needs to make use of that little potty patch out back!

Choose the right food

When choosing a food for your puppy, it’s important to choose one that is suitable for your dog. Puppies generally require foods with lower protein and fat content than adult dogs.

Make sure you select a food appropriate for the size of your puppy—too much protein can lead to kidney problems, while too little can weaken bones and muscles. You should also ask your veterinarian if there are any foods they don’t recommend or that they say may be harmful to your pet.

If you aren’t sure whether a food is safe for puppies, check its label to ensure it isn’t recalled by the FDA or contains any ingredients that might adversely affect young dogs’ health. The website recalls.gov provides info on all product recalls made by manufacturers (including pet food) in the United States and Canada—this makes it easy to stay up-to-date on safety issues when selecting what kind of dog food will suit both yourself and Fido best!

Stick to the same kind of food

After your puppy is a few months old, you should be able to start switching over to raw from dry kibble. This can be a little tricky, since puppies have very small stomachs and need to eat frequently. Switching foods suddenly can cause diarrhea or vomiting, so it’s important to make the switch gradually by mixing your old food with new until it’s completely gone.

Take your dog out right after exercise or playtime

Take your dog out after exercise or playtime. The time of day that a dog needs to go depends on his age, health, diet and exercise level. A puppy will likely have to go more often than an adult dog. Puppies can hold it longer if they are tired, but it is still important to take them out after playtime or exercise to make sure they don’t get over-excited and forget where they are supposed to go!

Use a leash while potty training a new puppy

You will also want to keep your pup on a leash when you’re first bringing him home, so that it is easier to supervise him. The use of a leash is an important part of training your puppy and teaching him where he can go and what he can and cannot chew on!

When the time comes for potty training, don’t let Fido off his leash until he’s gotten used to going outside on his own. This will help your dog learn how much space he has and give him more freedom later on. While there are exceptions, most dogs don’t like being tied up all day either!

Don’t punish your pet

It’s not uncommon for puppies to have accidents during their toilet training, especially when they’re young. When this happens, don’t blame your puppy or punish him. It won’t be effective and will make you frustrated with the process of potty training a puppy.

Instead, take your dog outside immediately after he has finished his business and praise him for going in the right spot. This will help reinforce what is expected of him and provide positive reinforcement for doing it right!

tips for potty training a new puppy

While your puppy is in the house, you should be rewarding good behavior. You can do this by:

• Giving them a treat for going in the right place
• Verbal praise that lets them know what they did was good (for example, “Great job!”)
• Giving them a physical affection (a pat on the head) or petting them to let him know he did something right
• Giving him a toy as a reward for being so good at potty training