{"id":8712,"date":"2021-11-25T08:10:27","date_gmt":"2021-11-25T08:10:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=8712"},"modified":"2023-02-10T16:15:16","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T16:15:16","slug":"potty-training-a-puppy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/potty-training-a-puppy\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does it Take to Potty Train a Puppy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Potty training<\/span> a<\/span> puppy<\/span> is not difficult to do \u2014 as long as you are consistent and patient. As long as you are doing it through positive reinforcement, the dog will be fully trained to go where it needs to go in no time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at what you need to do and answer most of the questions you likely have.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Important Bodily Functions of Puppies<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are always some <\/span>dos and don\u2019ts for potty training a puppy<\/span><\/a>, especially when dog bodily functions are involved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news here is that dog digestive tracts are incredibly efficient. So, you can always guess when a puppy wants to go poop \u2014 and it\u2019s almost always about 5\u201330 minutes after eating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This changes a bit as they age. Younger puppies will want to go immediately after a meal, while older dogs can hold it in for a longer time, sometimes even for hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want more details, the <\/span>Animal Humane Society states<\/span><\/a> that puppies can typically hold in their pee for as many hours as their age in months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever you do, the golden rule is to establish a routine with eating, so you know exactly when your dog needs to go. It\u2019s much easier than trying to control its bladder!<\/span><\/p>\n

Timeline for <\/span>Potty Training<\/span> a <\/span>Puppy<\/span><\/h2>\n

So, let\u2019s answer the main question \u2014 <\/span>how long does it take to potty train a puppy?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Puppies usually need around <\/span>four to six months<\/span><\/a> to be completely potty trained. However, there\u2019s never an exact timeline, and some dogs might take a whole year until they learn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This usually depends on the living conditions the puppy had before you, as well as its breed and size. For example, smaller dogs need more bathroom breaks due to their smaller bladders and faster metabolisms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, some breeds are more stubborn, while some are more eager to please their owners and thus better focused on the given task.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Should a Puppy Be Potty Trained<\/span>?<\/span><\/h3>\n

To make the process as efficient and as easy as possible, it\u2019s best to start when they are between 12 and 16 weeks old.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, if you already have an older dog, you should start as soon as you can. Just keep in mind that, in that case, the timeline above might not apply.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if an adult dog has been trained to use puppy pads as its toilet spot, it might take a while to break that habit and teach it to go outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can I Potty Train an 8-Week Old Puppy?<\/span><\/h3>\n

You can, but this is usually too early. Dogs learn to control their bladder and bowel movements later on, usually from the 12th week onwards, which is why it\u2019s better to wait.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Potty Training a 12-Week Old Puppy<\/span><\/h3>\n

Once your dog is at least 12 weeks old, you can start potty training it by using a lot of repetitions, so the puppy can get used to doing things in a certain way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the beginning, it\u2019s best to keep it confined to a smaller space, so that it can learn to go outside to do its business. You can keep the puppy inside a smaller fenced area or a playpen, where the mess will be easier to find and clean.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is also because dogs naturally don\u2019t like making a mess where they sleep and eat, so they won\u2019t be comfortable pooping or peeing inside. Plus, it encourages boundaries and helps them adjust to the new environment more easily.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, you should set up a regular schedule for feeding and taking your puppy outside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, make sure you take the dog to the same spot every time. When it\u2019s done, give it a reward, like a <\/span>good CBD treat<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>for instance. They have many health benefits, like reduced inflammation and anxiety. They can also help your dog calm down and fall asleep easier.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Toilet Train a Puppy in 7 Days<\/span>?<\/span><\/h3>\n

You can\u2019t teach the dog everything in such a small window of time. However, with enough supervision, persistence, and sticking to the schedule, you can start seeing results within a week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It will take some more time to get the puppy to correct its mistakes, like pooping inside at night or something similar. With continued practice, you\u2019ll iron out these issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, <\/span>how long does it take to potty train a puppy<\/span>? As little as a week with mistakes that are bound to follow in the coming weeks, as long as you are persistent and stick to the schedule.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But in general, it will still take some four to six months to fully train it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Potty Train a Puppy at Night<\/span><\/h3>\n

As you can probably guess, you should eliminate a dog\u2019s need to go potty at night, so you can always get a good night\u2019s sleep. This takes time, though.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your puppy will need to go at least once or twice during the night. When you do go, remember not to play with it or walk it. Just let it do its business and put it back in its crate or playpen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, keep in mind that you should be the one to wake your puppy up and not the other way around. Otherwise, your puppy might learn that barking and whining will draw your attention, and you definitely don\u2019t want that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, set an alarm clock, and as time passes, you\u2019ll adjust the timing. Eventually, you\u2019ll be able to prolong your puppy\u2019s sleep until it <\/span>doesn\u2019t need to go out during the night<\/span><\/a> at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, it\u2019s best to remove the water bowl during the night, so the puppy has less of a need to pee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Are There Any Differences Between<\/span> Potty Training a Puppy<\/span> and an Adult Dog?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Yes, mainly in how hard it is to train them. The older the dog is, the easier it is to potty train, because adult dogs have better control of their bodily functions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, you should always start as early as possible, but no earlier than 12 weeks of age. The sooner you start, the sooner you\u2019ll see the results \u2014 and the sooner you\u2019ll stop cleaning after your dog inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Potty Training Puppies <\/span>Using Different Methods<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many owners want to potty train their puppies using either pads or crates, so let\u2019s briefly explain these two methods.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Potty Train a Dog Using Pads<\/span><\/h3>\n

The cleanup is always easier if you use puppy pads or pee pads. However, you still need to teach your dog to use them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But first, make sure you choose a good pad that is:<\/span><\/p>\n