Potty training can be confusing, but understanding the facts can help you and your dog succeed.
By Siddhika Bhat, certified dog trainer and behaviorist, founder of Wagabonding: Dog Training and Beyond
Puppy potty training—the rite of passage every pet parent tackles, armed with treats, a whole lot of patience, and maybe a mop in hand! From old wives’ tales to modern-day myths, the world of dog training is loaded with some head-scratching advice. Ever heard that rubbing your pup’s nose in their mess will teach them not to do it again? Or that a rolled-up newspaper is the ultimate training tool? Spoiler alert: Not true!
We’re living in a world where Google gives us over a million search results for a simple query like “How to potty train a puppy.” What it doesn’t do is filter out all the crappy advice and misinformation. This article is going to do just that for you! Grab your treats, toss out the myth-based madness, and let’s get down to the real, fact-checked scoop on puppy potty training. Let’s dive in!”
MYTH: Rubbing my dog’s nose in their pee/potty will teach them a lesson.
FACT: I would like to meet the person that invented this idea and know what exactly went through their head when they thought, “let me rub my dog’s nose in his own pee! That will teach him a lesson!” Think about it; if this technique really worked, would there be so many articles and videos and books on systematically potty training a pup?
The most important thing to remember when potty training is that a dog is at their most vulnerable self when they are doing their business. They need to be able to feel safe around you and trust you so they are able to relieve themselves quickly in your presence. Punishing a dog for having an accident will not teach them anything. On the contrary, it will only encourage them to do their business in your absence.
Furthermore, if you deploy any punishment minutes or hours after your dog has had an accident, they would have no idea what they are being punished for. Thus, rubbing your dog’s nose in their own soil is a bad idea on multiple levels.
What are the potential psychological effects of using punishment-based methods like rubbing a dog's nose in accidents?
Breaking of trust is the most impactful psychological effect of using punishment-based methods with little puppies. When a puppy steps into our home, we’re all they have! They turn to us for guidance, safety and the fulfillment of their essential needs. Reprimanding them for something that comes naturally to them would only leave them utterly clueless and heartbroken.
MYTH: Investing in pee pads as a temporary potty training arrangement is a good idea.
FACT: Usually, potty training is the first thing we teach our pup after welcoming them home. Puppies go through their most intense learning phase between 8 and 16 weeks of age. During this period, they are highly receptive to new experiences, socialization, and basic training. What they learn during this age sticks with them for the rest of their lives.
When a puppy is learning to get accustomed to a designated spot to do their business, there are a multitude of factors at play – the environment, routine, timing, surface of the area and so on. Investing in pee pads is recommended only if you plan on using it for good because in the training process, your puppy is getting used to the surface of the pee pad.
Training on the pee pads is especially a bad idea if you plan on transitioning your dog to going outdoors eventually. Whatever your end goal is, start training your dog towards it from Day 1.
Cleaning accidents promptly and thoroughly helps prevent repeat incidents and reinforces proper potty training.
MYTH: Buy the strongest pee cleaning enzyme to get rid of pee smell.
FACT: Puppies have an extremely sensitive sense of smell. A strong odor can invoke a range of reactions. If the scent is unfamiliar but not unpleasant (to them), they may become more curious and engage with it. However, strong, unusual, or sharp smells, such as cleaning chemicals and enzymes may cause them to back away or avoid the area altogether. On the other hand, strong scents may also invoke a more territorial response in some dogs leading to problematic behaviors like marking.
Some pups may end up doing their business over the chemical agent only to mask that odor with their own scent in an attempt to make the area more familiar. Some strong cleaning enzymes may leave their scent not just at the targeted area, but the whole house. This can interfere with a puppy’s exploratory instincts.
How can dog owners select cleaning products that eliminate odor without confusing the dog’s scent-based instincts?
To choose cleaning products that effectively eliminate odor without confusing a dog’s scent-based instincts, dog owners should look for products that neutralize rather than mask odors. Enzymatic cleaners are top-notch for pet households because they break down organic compounds (like urine) at the molecular level, truly neutralizing odors without adding strong scents. Products with mild or no fragrance are ideal. Avoid overpowering scents like citrus or floral, which can be overwhelming and interfere with their natural instincts.
MYTH: My dog is having accidents out of spite or to seek revenge!
FACT: Dogs lack the cognitive capacity for revenge. In other words, they cannot process complex feelings such as guilt, spite, embarrassment and so on. A dog having accidents around the house can be attributed to other factors such as lack of training, inability to hold bladder, separation anxiety, etc.
Many a time, pet parents complain that their puppies only tend to have accidents in their absence on their belongings like shoes, couch, clothes etc. A common assumption to this issue is that the puppy is acting out of spite or anger. In reality, when a puppy has accidents when left alone, it's usually due to a few common reasons related to their stage of development, training progression, bladder control and comfort level with being alone.
Puppies have limited bladder control, especially if they’re under six months old. Thus, when left alone for several hours, they may end up having accidents in the house. Some dogs feel anxious when left alone, leading to accidents as a result of stress. Puppies thrive on routine, and irregular potty schedules can make it hard for them to predict when they’ll have an opportunity to go outside.
MYTH: He’s still young! He’ll will grow out of it
FACT: Puppies don’t grow out of behaviors and habits; they grow into them. Dogs are creatures of habit. They tend to form habits out of behaviors and experiences that repeatedly take place. Puppies are learning every day, so if they begin relieving themselves indoors without guidance, they may think it’s acceptable. Early potty training stops this behavior before it becomes a habit, reducing the chance of needing to “untrain” unwanted habits later.
What we train in early stages of puppyhood is what we get in adulthood. Puppies are in a crucial developmental stage when they’re young and absorb new information quickly. Teaching them where and when to go potty early on establishes lifelong habits and helps them learn that going outside (or to a designated indoor area) is the routine.
Training pads can be helpful but are just one tool among many to support effective potty training.
MYTH: Keep pee pads in the crate to avoid crate accidents.
FACT: Crates are not meant to be used as designated potty areas. They are meant to be used as “safe zones” that your pup can retreat into as and when they need to rest, take a break, need to stay out of trouble or wind down for the day. The concept of a crate works amazingly well to teach puppies bladder control as it relies on the idea that dogs rarely soil where they sleep.
Adding pee pads can send mixed signals, making the puppy think it's okay to go potty in the crate rather than waiting until they’re taken to their designated spot. Furthermore, many puppies chew on and even eat pee pads if left with them in the crate. This can lead to digestive issues or even blockages, which may require medical intervention.
If you must leave a puppy for extended periods, consider a setup where the crate is in a small, fenced area with the pee pad outside the crate. This gives the puppy the choice to exit the crate and use the pad if needed.
Signs that you’re on the right track while potty training your pup
Potty training can, at times, be frustrating and tedious even for professionals, let alone first time pet parents. The process of cleaning up accidents, keeping track of the puppy’s biological routine, feeding them on time, taking them out on time, rewarding them correctly, all while trying to build a bond with them can be exhausting to say the least. One of the best ways to keep yourself and your pup motivated during this time is to cherish the smallest wins. Here are some subtle signs that you’re on the right track:
- Your pup’s bladder control is gradually getting better and they’ve started to hold it in for a longer time
- Your puppy is able to sleep through the night
- Your puppy has started to communicate (subtly or clearly) their need to relieve themselves
- You have started to catch on to “the signs”
- The frequency of accidents has reduced
- Your pup waits to be taken to their designated spot
- Your puppy has started to predict the routine of other areas of their lives such as eating, drinking, playing, resting, etc.
- You don’t need to watch your puppy as closely indoors because they seem to be accident-free
- You’re using a command like “go potty” or “do your business,” and your puppy responds by relieving themselves
- Your puppy is able to relieve themselves shortly after going to their designated potty area; in other words, you don’t have to wait as long as before for them to do their business
Signs that a dog’s accidents might stem from health issues rather than training gaps
A young puppy having accidents in a new household can be attributed to lack of training. However, if a usually well-trained dog begins having accidents, it’s important to consider health issues as a potential cause.
Medical issues can lead to behavior changes. If your dog seems more anxious, withdrawn, or irritable and is having accidents, it could be a sign that something is physically wrong. If you observe any of these signs, it’s a good idea to consult with a veterinarian to rule out underlying health issues before revisiting training solutions:
- Difficulty or discomfort while urinating or defecating
- Incontinence, especially while sleeping
- Changes in appetite
- The need to relieve themselves everywhere else except the designated spot
- Blood in urine or stool
- Excessive licking of genital area
- Changes in behavior
- Sudden increase in frequency of urination
And there you have it! With a sprinkle of patience, a dash of persistence, and a whole lot of positive vibes, you’re on the way to a misconception-free potty training guide. Sure, there might be a few ‘oops’ moments along the way, but remember: every little accident is a step closer to success. Be patient and lead your pup with grace; soon, your pup will be hitting their potty marks like a pro, and you’ll have stories to tell and floors to celebrate!
Siddhika Bhat, Certified dog trainer and behaviorist and founder of Wagabonding.
For more information on training your dog safely, check out these articles:
How Do I Deal With Dog Training Accidents?