How Long Does it Take to Toilet Train A Puppy?

If you’ve just welcomed a cute new pup into your family then one of the first things you’ll need to think about is toilet training your pawsome pal.

Usually, you’ll want them to learn to go to the toilet in your garden or another outside space near your home. As long as you invest time (typically 4-6 months) to help your pup, potty training should be an easy process, but remember that all pups are individuals, and some may need extra time and help! The size, age or breed of your dog can also impact how long they take to become house trained (younger dogs have smaller bladders, and smaller breeds have faster metabolisms, so need more frequent bathroom breaks). But with a lot of patience and time to work with your pup, you will both find a routine!

Here are some simple steps to help your pup understand where they should and shouldn’t go to the toilet:

4 Ways to Help Your Puppy With Toilet Training

1. Help your puppy understand their routine.

Giving your puppy regular toilet breaks is crucial when you first start toilet training them. Puppies have small bladders and you should take them out every couple of hours initially, as well as first thing in the morning, before bed, and after meals.

Once you start to recognize signs that your pup needs to go, you should be able to take them outside in time. Watch out for your puppy becoming more active or wandering to the door as this can be a sign that they need a comfort break! Some puppies may need reminding often, so make sure you give plenty of opportunities to go outside!

After a few months of routine and going outside, your pup should soon learn when to go, and you’ll be able to increase the time between visits outside. Just remember not to expect too much too soon! If your puppy is having frequent accidents then you’ll need to increase visits outdoors. 

2. Praise your pup when they go to the toilet outside!

Everyone feels better when they receive praise and your pup is no different! Remember to always be positive and be patient with your puppy. All puppies will have accidents at first but you shouldn’t punish them! This can frighten them as well as damage your friendship!

Make sure that you always praise your pup as soon as they have done their business outside. When you praise your pup, calling them a “good boy/girl” or saying “wee wee”, they will recognize your positive tone of voice and understand that they have done the right thing.

3. Be a good friend to your puppy

Puppies don’t like to be on their own when they are young! So make sure you keep your pup pal company. Always go with them into the garden so you are there to reward them when they go to the toilet. You can also use cue words such as “business” or “be busy” while the puppy is going to the toilet; these words can be used to prompt your pup later on.

Puppies are creatures of habit so it’s best to introduce them to the garden as a toilet area right from the start. Taking them back to the same spot can help them understand that this is where they should go to the loo.

4. Know your puppy’s habits

Although you are trying to create a routine for your pup, it’s important to take their toilet habits into account. It might be useful to keep a diary of when your pup eats, sleeps, and has to go to the loo, to make sure you are always there are the right time for efficient training.

Eating stimulates the digestive system, and puppies normally wee within fifteen minutes of eating, and do their business within half an hour of eating. However, this can change depending on the individual and puppies can have very poor bladder control - so may need to go every hour or so.

Toilet training your pup can be tiring and requires consistency, but your pawsome pal will soon get there! You can always take your pup to puppy classes or a behaviourist if you need some extra help.

As long as you always remain calm and patient - your pup will usually become toilet trained in 4 to 6 months - but following these easy steps can help your pup learn in just a few weeks.

To give your pup a little extra support, consider using an ADAPTIL Junior Collar. ADAPTIL Junior gives effective comfort to newly adopted puppies; providing “comforting messages” to help your puppy feel secure and learn better, to ensure they master toilet training even faster!