How to Toilet Train a Puppy (Without the Setbacks)

The Routine

1. Take your puppy to the same spot each time, on a leash if needed, and stand quietly.
2. When it starts to go, say a calm cue word such as "be quick".
3. The moment it finishes, praise and give a treat right there, not back indoors.
4. If nothing happens in a few minutes, go back in, keep your puppy close or in its crate, and try again shortly.
5. Watch for signs it needs to go: sniffing the floor, circling, heading for the door.

Apartments vs a House With a Yard

With a yard or garden, take your puppy straight out to its spot. In an apartment, the trip down takes longer, so carry a young puppy to the door and outside, or use an indoor grass box or pad area on a balcony while you build up. See puppy pads. Ask your vet when your puppy can safely use public areas.

The Two Mistakes Behind Most Setbacks

• Too much freedom too soon. A puppy wandering the house unsupervised will have accidents you don't see. Use a crate, pen or gates, and widen its space as it gets reliable. See crate training.
• Punishing accidents. Scolding teaches a puppy to hide when it goes, not to go outside. Calmly clean up with an enzyme cleaner and take it out more often. See enzyme cleaners.

Nights

Young puppies often need a trip outside during the night. Keep it calm and boring: out, toilet, quiet praise, straight back to bed. As your puppy grows, it will manage longer stretches; you can gradually wait longer before the night trip.

When to Check With Your Vet

Call your vet if a puppy that was doing well starts having lots of accidents, pees very often or in tiny amounts, strains, drinks much more than usual, or has blood in its urine. A medical cause is possible and needs checking before more training.