A Guide to Toilet Training Your Puppy

When inviting a new furry friend into your house and life, toilet training is often the last thing you’d be thinking of. But just like human children, puppies need to be taught the right place and time to go. Puppies have very little bladder and bowel control, and unfortunately, house soiling is a major reason for many puppies to be returned. But thankfully, toilet training a puppy doesn’t have to be difficult. It may require a little consistency, patience and positive reinforcement, but the reward is far greater than the investment.

Even before you bring a puppy home and start toilet training it, ensure it is all caught up on its vaccines, is microchipped and fixed. Get in touch with a mobile vet for scheduled vaccinations, dental checkups, and routine health care to give your new puppy a chance at a long, happy and healthy life.

Here’s a guide to toilet training your puppy:When to start toilet training a puppy

Puppies under 12 to 16 weeks of age have little control over their bladders and cannot be taught to hold their bowel movements. However, a puppy over this age develops a modicum of control, which can further be developed through training. Ideally, this is the age when a puppy has been weaned off its mother’s milk and is safe for it to be adopted. This is also the age when they develop independence and can be trained and socialised properly.

Why is it important to toilet train?

Puppies who have not been toilet trained eliminate whenever and wherever they please. A toilet-trained dog can be trusted inside and outside the house, at the houses of friends and family, in the car and at the vet office and local store. Additionally, if a puppy is adequately toilet trained and suddenly starts defecating or urinating outside of its normal location, you will know to check for health issues.

How to toilet train a puppy

• Set a routine: Puppies generally have faster metabolisms and smaller bladders. This means that the puppy will need to go very frequently. Set up some space in the house for the puppy to relieve itself, and make it a habit to take it to this space once every hour, after eating, playing and sleeping.
• Detect the signs: When a puppy needs to go, it will typically start circling a place, sniffing around, fidgeting or whining before squatting. Always be on the lookout for these signs and immediately take the puppy to the designated spot. This will help it associate the place with its need to go.
• Understand associations: When it comes to dogs, they are typically trained through associations. For example, when teaching a dog how to sit or stay on command, a successful action is usually rewarded either with praise or treats. This allows the dog to create an association in its mind between the command, "Sit" and a positive thing. Similarly, a puppy will associate a place with the toilet based on the smell of urine, faeces or ammonia, the location, the texture of the floor, and commands. Form associations in the puppy’s brain by always taking them to the same place when they need to go, avoiding ammonia-based cleaners anywhere in the house, and calling out a command before and while they relieve themselves. On the other hand, avoid playing with them while you are waiting for them to relieve themselves on their routine trips. The puppy may associate the location with play rather than the toilet.

• Add cues: Before your puppy starts to relieve themselves and during the act, repeat a specific word to make them understand that that specific word means they now need to relieve themselves. This may even help you train your dog to go on command, which can be very helpful before long trips or bedtime.
• Avoid punishments: A puppy is a baby. It is highly unlikely that it soiled your house on purpose, or as an act of vengeance. Getting angry at the dog, punishing it or withholding food can be counterproductive, as it can make the puppy scared to go in your presence. Remember that accidents will happen along the way, and the best course of action is to be patient. If you spot your puppy about to relieve themselves in the wrong place, gently interrupt them and take them over to the right spot.
• Reward your puppy: Dogs trained through reward-based training are generally more obedient than those who were trained through punishment. Every time you take your puppy out to the designated spot and they successfully eliminate in the right spot, shower them with praise, play or give them a treat. By interacting with them in a positive manner, you are reinforcing positive behaviour.

Typically, it takes most dogs 4 to 6 months to be completely toilet trained. Depending upon the previous lifestyle of the dog, its size and habits, it may take some puppies longer, but almost all manage to be successfully trained within a year.

If your puppy is finding it difficult to go on cue, is frequently relieving itself inside the house, or doesn’t seem to be showing any improvement, search "vets near me" for a house visit vet. This will allow the vet to see the puppy in its normal habitat and eliminate any environmental factors that may be preventing it from being trained. The vet can then conduct a physical examination to rule out any medical issues.

Vets on Call is a unique, easy-to-use mobile app that delivers high-quality veterinary care right to your door. The app that brings your veterinarian to you. The quality of a clinic delivered in home, conveniently, transparently and stress free.