Potty Training Cheat Sheet

Potty training is really about management and timing, not punishment. Set your puppy up so success is the easiest option, and you'll be accident-free faster than you think.

The Four Trigger Times

Always take your puppy out:

Immediately after waking up (from naps or overnight)
Right after eating (within 5–10 minutes)
After a play session
Every 30–45 minutes during awake time for young puppies

How to Do It

Go to the same spot every time. Scent cues prompt elimination.
Use a cue word like "go potty" as they begin, then praise calmly as they finish.
Stand quietly and wait. Don't distract with play until the job is done.
Reward immediately with a treat and gentle praise the moment they finish.

Preventing Accidents

Supervise or confine. Free roam = accidents. Use the pen or crate when you can't watch.
Watch for signs: sniffing, circling, sudden whining, walking away from play.
Interrupt, don't punish. If you catch them mid-accident, calmly scoop them up and carry them outside. Clean up quietly with an enzymatic cleaner.

When Accidents Happen

Never rub your puppy's nose in it, yell, or scold. This teaches them to hide accidents, not to avoid them. Clean thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner so they can't smell the spot later.

Nighttime

Expect one potty break overnight for the first couple of weeks. Take them out, on leash, no play, then straight back to the crate.

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