How To Potty Train A Puppy: Expectations, Strategies and Troubleshooting

Potty training is one of the first and most important skills every puppy owner needs to teach. While some puppies seem to pick it up quickly, others take more time, requiring consistency, patience, and the right approach.

In this guide, we'll cover realistic expectations, step-by-step strategies, and solutions to common potty training issues, so you can set your puppy up for success.

Setting Realistic Expectations for Puppy Potty Training

Unrealistic expectations about how long potty training a puppy should take is by far one of the biggest causes of frustration for many puppy owners. The truth is, potty training lasts until your puppy is reliably not having accidents indoors, which varies based on how consistent you are with the process, how well you manage your puppy, and your individual dog.

A common rule of thumb is that puppies can hold their bladder for their age in months plus one hour, though this is generous and varies by breed and size.

Common Misconceptions About Potty Training a Puppy

“My last puppy was easy to train, so this one should be too.” Every puppy is different. Some pick up the concept of not going potty inside the house very easily, while others take more time and need our help by setting clear boundaries.
“Potty training happens in a couple of weeks.” While some puppies may catch on quickly, full reliability to hold it takes time.
“Puppies will tell me when they need to go.” Young puppies do not have the ability to recognize and communicate their need to potty until much later. Your 3-4 month old puppy only has a second or two between when their brain registers their bladder is full and when they need to go. While some puppies may learn how to tell us sooner, I don’t begin to expect this from our dogs until they're at least 9 months old.
"Potty pads help speed up training." In reality, they often encourage puppies to go indoors and create confusion about where they should relieve themselves, as a result making the potty training process longer.

Step By Step Puppy Potty Training

1. Supervision & Management

Use a crate to prevent accidents when you can't supervise.
Keep your puppy on a leash indoors to prevent them from sneaking off to potty.
Confine access to one or two rooms initially.
If using a playpen, make sure it is small enough that the puppy doesn't feel comfortable using one corner for elimination.

2. Frequent Potty Breaks

Taking your puppy outside frequently is key to preventing accidents. Follow this schedule:

Immediately after waking up (morning & naps)
Immediately after eating or drinking
As soon as your puppy stops playing
Every 1-2 hours during the day (depending on age)
Before bedtime and during the night (young puppies need nighttime potty breaks)

3. Reinforce Good Behavior

Take your puppy on a leash to a designated potty spot.
Do not play, engage, or distract them until after they finish.
Once they go, mark the behavior (“Yes!”) and reward them with treats or play.
If possible, allow 2-5 minutes of free play outside after they go to prevent them from delaying potty time to extend outdoor time.
Use a consistent potty cue like "Go potty!" to help reinforce the behavior over time.

4. Avoid Common Pitfalls

Don’t use potty pads unless absolutely necessary—they reinforce going indoors.
Don’t punish accidents. Instead, supervise more closely and adjust the schedule.
Don’t expect puppies to hold it too long. They physically can’t.
Don’t let potty training lapse on rainy or cold days. Ensure they still go outside consistently in all weather conditions.

Crates v. Playpens: Which One Is Best?

Both crates and playpens have their place in puppy training, but they serve different purposes when it comes to potty training.

Crate: Helps puppies learn to hold their bladder by leveraging their natural instinct to keep their sleeping area clean. Choose a size that allows them to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably but not large enough to potty in a corner.
Playpen: Allows more movement but doesn’t always deter accidents. Best for puppies with more supervision or as an additional management tool.
Tethering to you with a leash: A great way to reinforce supervision, prevent accidents, and build a closer bond with your puppy.

Troubleshooting Potty Training Problems

1. Potty Training Regression

If your puppy was doing well but suddenly starts having accidents, consider:

Too much freedom too soon—scale back supervision and return to structured potty breaks.
Medical issues like a UTI or parasites—rule out health concerns with a vet visit.
Changes in routine or environment—adjusting to a new schedule may take time.
Stress or anxiety—major life changes or disruptions can cause setbacks in house training.

2. Submissive or Excited Peeing

This is different from potty training accidents—it’s an involuntary response to excitement or nervousness. This is something your puppy cannot control, not a decision they are making. Solutions include:

Keeping greetings calm and low-key.
Taking the puppy outside before guests interact with them.
Building confidence through training and socialization.
Encouraging guests to ignore the puppy until they settle down.

3. Puppy Won’t Potty on a Leash or in New Places

Some puppies only feel comfortable going in their yard. To help:

Take them to different places when you know they need to go.
Reward them immediately when they potty in a new location.
Put “go potty” on cue for reliability.
Introduce potty breaks in different environments early on to prevent location dependency.

4. My Puppy Eats Poop!

While disgusting, poop eating (coprophagia) is common. Address it by:

Cleaning up immediately after your puppy goes.
Ensuring they have a good-quality balanced diet with digestive enzymes and probiotics.
Using supervision and training to prevent the behavior.
Teaching a strong “leave it” command.

Final Thoughts on Puppy Potty Training

Potty training is all about consistency, patience, and setting realistic expectations. Some puppies take longer than others, but with structured management, frequent breaks, and positive reinforcement, they will develop reliable potty habits over time. If setbacks occur, return to the basics, reassess the routine, and adjust as needed.

By following these guidelines and staying diligent, you can help your puppy establish lifelong good habits and make potty training a smooth and successful process.