Oh no… has your puppy had another little mishap? Housebreaking a puppy is quite time consuming and can really test your patience. Try to get your four-legged friend used to being housebroken right from the start. In the following article we will tell you how best to housetrain your puppy!
Housebroken in the puppy nest
The basis for cleanliness is already given by the mother. As soon as the puppies are born, the little four-legged friends see how their mother keeps the area around their nest clean. When the little four-legged friends start to explore their surroundings on their own, they go to the edge of their nest to do their business. Puppies that grow up in a nest that is too small often have problems with housebreaking.
They learn that it is «normal» to do business in their own nest. For this reason, you should buy your pup from a trusted breeder who will give the puppies adequate space to do their business outside of their nest.
Housebreaking your puppy in five easy steps!
As soon as your puppy moves in with you, it is up to the master or mistress to housetrain your dog. We give you a practical step-by-step plan with tips on how to train your four-legged friend to do his business outside.
Step 1: Recognize the signals!
When your pup needs to do his or her business, big or small, you can tell by his behavior. Sniffing the ground, squatting, or walking in circles are early signs. Take your four-legged friend for a walk after he has slept, eaten or drunk. Pick him up and take him outside so he can do his business there.
Use different places for this. This prevents him from wanting to do his business in just one place later on. It is important that your four-legged friend learns to do his business outside. In addition, you can think about teaching your little friend a command, such as «do pee» or «do poop». Start telling him this whenever he meets his needs. Did it work out? Then your dog definitely deserves a treat!
Step 2: His own cookie!
Create different fixed places outside where your dog can go about his business. He will associate these places with the conduct of his business. You do this by standing on these spots a little longer when you walk them. Eventually he will recognize these places by himself. Reward your four-legged friend when he has done his business on the spot. Don’t go straight home afterwards.
Otherwise, your puppy will think he needs to go back inside and you won’t be able to run or play outside together once he’s done his business. This will keep him suppressing his needs for as long as possible, which may result in him not holding it back indoors. So after his small or big business, continue to walk him or play together.
Step 3: His Box
Dogs learn from a young age that they should not soil their own space, for example their dog box. Through the dog box training, your four-legged friend gets used to his new retreat. To get your puppy housebroken, you can use its dog crate. As long as your puppy is in the crate, he will not do his business. Always keep an eye on how long your puppy can hold his bubble at most. Also take this into account at night.
Before your pup has fully developed its bladder, it’s best to take your little four-legged friend outside to a place where he can do his business. It’s also a good idea to stop your dog drinking and eating an hour before bedtime.
Step 4: Go for a walk together
In order for your four-legged friend to be able to do his business, it is important to take your puppy for a walk. Since your little four-legged friend does not have full bladder control at first, you should also get up at night so that he can do his business. Let your pup outside every two hours, and go outside before and after each meal, before and after bedtime, and immediately after play. As your puppy gets older, their bladder will develop. In the table below you can see how long your puppy can hold his bladder and how often he needs to go outside.
Step 5: Reward your best friend for good behavior!
When it comes to toilet training your puppy, sometimes things can go wrong. Such an accident can happen to anyone. It is therefore important not to punish your puppy in any case. He makes no connection between peeing and punishment. This can quickly happen that he no longer dares to do his business. Did he do his business inside? Then don’t pay any attention to him. Can you tell he’s doing his business indoors?
Then it’s best to take him outside immediately. If you pick him up, he will stop peeing or defecating on his own. If he keeps going outside, reward him. That way, your pup knows he’ll be rewarded for doing his business outside.
Puppy house training scheme
A young puppy does not yet have full bladder control. Depending on his age, you should take your puppy outside a certain number of times a day. We list this for you in the overview of toilet training your puppy below. Of course, the duration and number of walks is not the same for every four-legged friend.
age of your puppy
How long can he hold his bladder?
Minimum number of daily walks
7 weeks
2 hours
12 times
12 weeks
3-4 hours
6-8 times
16 weeks
4-5 hours
5-6 times
20 weeks
5-6 hours
4-5 times
6 months
6-8 hours
3-4 times
7 month
12 hours
3 times
Submissive mishap
When your puppy comes into contact with other dogs or people, they may accidentally pee. This needs to be considered separately from your puppy’s housebreaking. A submissive or humble mishap is a form of communication to indicate that the other is superior in rank. Excitement or nervousness can also lead to sudden urination. Try to pay little attention to your puppy when you walk in, and don’t punish him if he suddenly starts peeing.
This will make him act even more submissive, which in turn will lead to more pee accidents. Avoid eye contact until the situation calms down after a few minutes. Now you can approach your puppy. Get on your knees and hunker down to appear less threatening. After a while, the submissive mishaps will become less and less.
Toilet training takes a lot of time and patience. Some dogs become housebroken quicker than others. Is your dog still not housebroken after a few months? Then please contact your veterinarian, a dog trainer or a behavioral therapist.