You’ve brought a new puppy or dog home and now you’re ready to settle down with your new canine companion. It’s an exciting time when you’ll begin bonding with your new fur ever friend. Congratulations! We wish you both years of happiness together! However, before those years of happiness, you’ll first need to potty train your new fur baby. Most people are intimidated at the prospect of house training a puppy or dog, but there are things you can do to make it easier on you and your new puppy or dog. We’ve put together some tips to help you potty train your precious pup in about 5 days. Yes, you read that correctly—in 5 days you can have a potty-trained canine!
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Be Ready for Accidents
If your fur baby has an accident in the house, it’s a good idea to clean these up with an enzymatic cleaner. These work to clean up the mess and remove the scent of the urine or feces. Your dog is more likely to go again in a place that smells like he went potty there before. So, use the enzymatic cleaner to avoid this problem. Also, if you live in an apartment, it’s a good idea to have some cleaning supplies with you. Your fur baby could have an accident on the way out, so having old rags, a plastic bag and some cleaner ready is a good idea. In addition, cleaning up after your canine companion will help keep your neighbors and building management from becoming upset at finding accidents from your pup.
Take Time Off Work
If you’ve just gotten a new puppy and would like to potty train him in 5 days, then it’s a good idea to take time off work. The concentrated time with your puppy is a great way to develop a bond with one another. It’s also a great way to learn your puppy’s body language and get him on a routine schedule every day. While taking time off work may not seem ideal, if you really want to focus on your puppy and get him started out on the right paw (so to speak!), then taking some time off now will get you both started on the road of establishing a relationship and of successfully managing potty training in a shorter time period.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhat About Puppy Potty Training Spray?
You’ve probably seen puppy potty training sprays advertised online or at the pet shop. What are these and how do they work? The sprays are made of chemical and/or natural ingredients that entice a puppy or dog to the area where it’s been sprayed. In theory, the spray is supposed to help your fur baby only go potty where the spray’s been used. The idea is to keep your dog or puppy from going in other areas of the house. Some pet experts say the sprays work, while others say never use these sprays. If you have a question about the effectiveness or safety of this type of spray, then be sure to ask your vet what they recommend.
OK, now we’re ready to take a look at how to potty train your puppy in 5 days!
Potty Train a Puppy in an Apartment
Potty training a puppy, when you live in an apartment, may seem like a daunting task. You can’t just pick him up and run out the door when he needs to go! So, how can you potty train a puppy when you live a few floors up?
1). A regular routine
This is the key to teaching your fur baby where and when to go potty. Having a regular routine helps your puppy to learn habits and expectations. In other words, he’ll learn that when he gets up in the morning, he’ll have breakfast and then go potty, and so on for each meal of the day.
It’s a good idea (not just for potty training) to start your puppy on a feeding schedule right away. Puppies usually need to go quite soon after they’ve finished eating each meal. So, take them out soon after they’ve eaten. You can try to take them out about 5-10 minutes after they’ve finished eating.
For some puppies, it may be helpful to take them out at intervals of an hour or so in the beginning.
2). Praise and rewards
When your puppy has done his business in the right place, praise him and offer him rewards. The positive stimulus will encourage him to want more, so he’ll try to do the same thing to receive that praise and reward.
3). Watch your puppy’s body language
Be sure to observe your puppy’s body language for signs he’s telling you he needs to go out. He may exhibit one or more of these signs:
- Circling
- Sniffing
- Restlessness
- Running to a corner
You may observe different signs from your puppy but watch his body language and the cues he’s giving. This is how you learn to “talk” with each other. When you notice these signs, head for the door or the indoor potty option you’ve chosen.
4). Indoor potty options
It can take too long to run down the stairs or ride the elevator down to take your precious pup out to do his business. Accidents will happen. However, you can try to teach him where to go in the apartment, as a temporary measure until he’s completely mastered potty training.
Some indoor potty options to consider include:
A) Pee pads: these are pads that give a dog someplace to go when they can’t get out to eliminate. The pads may include a scent that attracts your fur baby, too. Some pee pads are washable, while others are to be thrown away. If you use a pee pad, then be sure to praise your puppy every time he successfully goes on the pad. You can also place him on the pad after he’s eaten or if he’s showing signs he needs to potty. One note—these can sometimes make it harder for puppies to learn to go outside. However, they can be helpful in the beginning of the potty-training lessons. Here are three pee pads to consider:
- Pet Parents Pawtect Pads Washable Dog Peed Pads (2 pack) these pee pads come in various sizes to match your puppy or dog’s size. They’re best in class absorption and odor control soaks up fluids and holds more liquids per square inch than other options. They offer anti-tracking to prevent your fur baby from tracking his mess around the house. The pads are completely washable and reusable, too.
- Kootail Washable Pee Pads for Dogs (2 pack): these reusable pads are washable, super absorbent, with a high-density inner layer and breathable waterproof PUL, ensures all night dry protection. Great for puppies, potty training, and great for older dogs.
- American Kennel Club Pet Training Puppy Pads, Regular & Extra Large: these pads are made of 6 layers that include a quick drying gel to provide immediate absorption for preventing tracking and leaking issues. They are antibacterial & odor eliminating, too, which keeps bad smells under control. These are great for potty training dogs or puppies, or for older dogs.
B) Dog litter box: litter boxes aren’t just for cats these days! Dogs also have litter boxes. These may be a box made of plastic, that contains real or synthetic grass, placed over a tray of litter. These can be either kept on the balcony or in the house and can come in handy when you or your puppy aren’t feeling well, or don’t have time to make it down the elevator in time.
- Puppy Go Here Dog Litter Pan Litter Box: this doggie litter box comes in various sizes to fit your dog or puppy. This is a great option if you live in an apartment (also works for cats or rabbits). Can be used to potty train your puppy. The litter pan even comes with a training guide!
- Puppy Pan Dog Litter Box: this is another option to consider—says these doggie litter pans are great for working families, puppy training—your fur baby will always know where to go. The pan comes in two sizes and is made super strong and is made in the USA. This pan also comes with a training guide to help potty train your puppy.
Each time your fur baby looks like he’s about to go, say “Go potty.” This will teach him the words for going out to do his business. Do this each and every time so he can learn the words or the command. The key is a consistent schedule and watching your fur baby’s body language. Be sure to give him praise and reward when he goes in the right spot, too! Soon, your puppy or dog will be successfully potty trained!
How to Potty Train a Puppy on Pads
This is similar to the methods used in potty training in an apartment. The key is patience and consistency.
1). First, you’ll need to keep your fur baby restricted in the house. You can choose to use a pen on a floor (that’s obviously easy to clean!), or in a kennel.
2). You’ll need to be very observant of your fur baby during this time, as we discussed up in point #3 in the section on potty training in an apartment. Watch to see what your dog does before going potty. His body language will tell you, or he may come up to you and whine, etc. Just watch for the clues that he needs to go.
3). When your fur baby looks like he’s about to go, pick him up and take him to the pee pad. When he goes there, give him a lot of praise and a reward (such as a small treat). At this point, your fur baby isn’t ready to have full access to the rest of your home. You first need to make sure he understands where to go potty before he can run around the house.
4). If you need to be away during this time, fix up a room where your fur baby can stay. You might choose a small bathroom or laundry room. Leave his bed there and cover the floor with pee pads, then make sure he has access to clean water and food. Each day remove one pad from the room, until only one pad is left on the floor. This is a great way to wean your canine companion off the pads. However, if he has an accident off the pad, then you’ll need to start the process over again.
Remember to keep your fur baby on a regular schedule when it comes to eating and going potty. These are the best additions to the pee pads. You may need to keep this routine up for a couple of weeks. As your canine companion learns to use the pee pad, then you can allow him to have access to other areas of your home. Be sure to keep rewarding him for all successful potties made on the pee pad.
This is also an excellent option to potty train a dog without a crate.
Never Take a Puppy That’s Under 8 Weeks Old
First and foremost, never take a puppy home that’s under 8 weeks old. Puppies younger than this are not yet ready to start life away from their mother. The reason is that their mother continues to teach the puppies up until they’re about 8 weeks old. Lessons involve social interactions and also potty training. Yes, mother dogs potty train their puppies. A dog’s home is called a den. This is where the mother dog gives birth to and raises her puppies. Dogs do not do their business in the den, where they sleep. They go potty outside. Mother dogs don’t want to lay where their babies are going potty. So, the mother begins training her pups by sending them outside the den to do their business. These are the first potty training lessons your puppy needs to be a happy and healthy adult dog.
Taking a puppy younger than 8 weeks will shorten the amount of time the puppy is able to learn potty training and other lessons from his mother. So, never take a puppy younger than 8 weeks. If the breeder allows you to do so, then they’re not an ethical breeder. Avoid such breeders at all costs.
Puppies Can Unlearn the Potty Training Taught by Their Mothers
The next thing you’ll need to understand is that puppies can quickly unlearn the potty-training lessons of their mothers. This happens if a puppy is forced to sleep and potty in the same place. For instance, if you leave the puppy in the crate for long periods, without letting him out to go potty, then he will have accidents in his crate.
Over time, the puppy will associate his crate as the place to go, rather than waiting to go outside. Once this happens, you’ll have a much harder time potty training your puppy. It could take weeks to teach him not to go in the crate. Once you get your fur baby home, then be sure to start potty training right away with training pads. Never leave your precious pup in his crate so long that he has to poo and urinate there.
Have Patience When Potty Training a Puppy or Dog
It takes time and patience when potty training a puppy or a dog. During this time, avoid punishing your dog if he has accident. Back in the old days, people were taught to rub the dog or puppy’s nose in their pee or poo. This was thought to be a great way to teach a dog not to do potty in the house. However, all this does is make your dog scared. He’ll be afraid you’ll do this each time and will then constantly have accidents. So, don’t punish your precious pup during this process.
Dog Potty Training Classes
Dog training experts usually recommend that pet parents be the ones to potty train their puppy or dog. However, potty training classes may be a good option if you just can’t get your fur baby potty trained.
When it comes to potty training your dog or puppy, consistency and a regular schedule are your best friends. Never punish your fur baby for having an accident. However, when he does go in the right place, be sure to praise him and offer a special treat reward. This will help him understand this is where he’s supposed to go. Since you fur baby wants to make you happy, he’ll be more apt to repeat this performance each time, once he understands the game plan!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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