Trouble Potty Training Dog: A Guide to Puppy Training Challenges and Solutions

Potty training can be a frustrating experience for both you and your puppy. It's common for puppies to have small bladders and can't hold their urine for long periods, so accidents are inevitable.

Puppies usually start showing interest in eliminating outside between 16 to 22 weeks of age, but some may take longer. Consistency is key when it comes to establishing a routine.

Accidents can happen anywhere, but it's essential to keep an eye on your puppy at all times, especially after meals and playtime, as these are common times for accidents to occur.

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Some puppies understand the housetraining location to be "the apartment" and eliminate in the hallway, elevator, or lobby. This can be a challenge, especially in larger buildings.

To resolve this issue, you need to start showing your puppy that these areas are extensions of the home. Play games and do training in those areas when your puppy is empty, shortly after potty breaks.

Puppies may also piddle all over the house, especially if they're toy dogs. Some trainers recommend teaching them to use indoor potty spots, similar to a litter box.

A common complaint among trainers is that dogs soil their crates, especially if they came from situations where they were confined for long periods. This can be due to a physical issue or a lack of proper training.

If your dog is having trouble with housetraining, it's essential to rule out any physical issues first. Consult with your vet to ensure your dog is healthy. If your vet confirms that your dog is healthy, consider seeking the help of a trainer or behaviorist who has experience with this issue.

Here are some common complaints that trainers have encountered:

To address these issues, follow these steps:

Housebreaking issues can be frustrating, but understanding the reasons behind them can help you address them effectively. A common mistake is not cleaning up accidents efficiently, leaving behind odors that signal to your dog that it's a prime potty spot.

To prevent accidents, make sure to use pet stain enzymatic cleaners and follow the instructions carefully. Consistency is key in housebreaking, even when your dog is doing well, so stick to your schedule to reinforce good habits.

If your dog is soiling its crate, it may be due to past experiences of being confined and having no other choice but to eliminate in its kennel. To resolve this, start by assessing your dog's bladder and bowel control, controlling its diet and schedule, and giving frequent trips outside.

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If your dog keeps peeing in the same spot where they had an accident, it's likely because the area still has a lingering odor that's signaling to your dog that it's a prime potty spot.

To address this issue, make sure you're using pet stain enzymatic cleaners effectively and following the instructions carefully. These cleaners can help break down the remaining odor and residue.

Additional reading: Training Dog to Pee in One Spot

You may need to go back to square one with crate and house training if your dog is soiling their crate. This is a common issue for dogs that have been confined for long periods and had no other choice but to eliminate in their kennels.

Here are some steps to follow:

In apartment settings, a common issue is that the puppy understands the housetraining location to be the entire apartment, leading to accidents in the hallway, elevator, or lobby. To resolve this issue, you need to show your puppy that these areas are extensions of the home.

Praising a puppy for doing the right thing works best for housetraining, so be effusive in your praise - cheer, clap, throw cookies. This will help your puppy think they're a little canine Einstein every time they perform a simple, natural act.

Cleaning up accidents is crucial, so use a cleaner that eliminates odors to remove the scent, and blot up liquid on the carpet before cleaning the rug. Don't make a fuss if your dog has an accident, just clean up the mess and move on.

Puppies have limited bladder control, so accept that there will be accidents while your puppy learns. Take your puppy outside on a leash to pee and poop every one to two hours, and say something like, "go potty" to help them learn that this command means to go outside to pee and poop.

The key to housetraining a puppy is structure, so keep your puppy on a leash or in a crate at all times except for the limited use of exercise pens. Make sure the crate is big enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and comfortably lie down.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

To resolve these issues, try the following:

Puppies have limited bladder control, so accidents are inevitable. Accept that your puppy will have accidents while learning to housetrain.

To prevent accidents in common areas like hallways and lobbies, play games and do training exercises with your puppy in these areas when they're empty. Treat scattering and loose-leash walking can be great activities to do in these spaces.

If your puppy has an accident in the house, don't scold them - instead, clean up the mess with a non-toxic cleaner to eliminate the smell and disinfect the area.

Housetraining a puppy requires structure, so it's essential to keep your puppy on a leash or in a crate at all times except for exercise pens. This helps prevent accidents and allows your puppy to learn where to go potty.

The key to successful housetraining is to take your puppy outside to pee and poop every one to two hours, and to reward them with treats and praise when they go in the right spot. Consistency is crucial, so establish a routine and stick to it.

If your puppy is having trouble learning to go potty outside, you can try using puppy pads or paper training as a temporary solution. However, be aware that this can be tricky and may require creative problem-solving, such as using indoor dog bathrooms for male dogs.

To reintroduce a crate as a "clean" area, make sure it's not being overused, clean it thoroughly with enzymatic cleaner, and feed your puppy in the crate to help them associate it with positive experiences.

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If your puppy is soiling their crate, it may be a sign that they're being kept confined for too long or have a history of being in a puppy mill or pet shop situation. In this case, it's best to go back to square one with crate and house training, and to consult with a professional trainer or behaviorist for advice.

Here are some common puppy training options:

Remember, every puppy is different, and what works for one puppy may not work for another. Be patient, consistent, and creative, and you'll be well on your way to successful puppy training.

Puppy training can be a long process, but with patience and persistence, most dogs can learn. It can take months for some puppies to master potty training.

The age of your puppy plays a big role in how long it takes to train. An 8-week-old puppy is very different from a 5-month-old puppy developmentally. This means that puppies of different ages will need different approaches to training.

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Accidents will happen, but that's okay. Just like a newborn child, puppies can't hold their bladder for long, so be prepared for accidents along the way.

The key to housetraining a puppy is structure. For the first two to three months, keep your puppy on a leash or in a crate at all times except for exercise pens. This will help prevent random soiling.

It's essential to keep an eye on your puppy while on a leash. A leash that's too long can make it difficult to spot signs that it's time for a bathroom break.

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Puppies have limited bladder control, so it's essential to accept that accidents will happen while they learn. They can't hold it for long, just like a newborn child.

To prevent accidents, keep your puppy on a leash or in a crate at all times except for exercise pens. For the first two to three months, this will help your puppy learn to hold their bladder.

Structure is key to housetraining a puppy. Start housetraining the moment your puppy comes home and continue for at least four weeks. This means taking your puppy outside on a leash to pee and poop every one to two hours.

At night, potty breaks can be four to five hours apart, but initially, getting up at night is the only way to avoid accidents. Stay with your puppy during the elimination time.

Accidents will happen, so don't scold your puppy. Instead, clean up the mess with non-toxic cleaners to eliminate the smell and disinfect the area. Reward your puppy with praise and treats when they do go potty in the right spot.

To help your puppy learn, say something like "go potty" when you take them outside to eliminate. This will help them associate the command with the action.

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