Best Ways to Potty Train a Puppy

A new puppy can be exciting, especially around the holidays. However, a less exciting (but very necessary) part of welcoming home a puppy is potty-training. Here are some of the best ways to potty train a puppy. 

Potty-Train Between 12 and 16 Weeks

The ideal potty-training age is between 12 and 16 weeks for a pup (or between 3 and 4 months). This is when the new member of the family can control their tiny little systems enough to hold it in as well as understand what "potty time" really means.

Strict Feeding Schedule

One of the most important things you can do for your puppy is to keep them on a strict feeding schedule. This ensures that their potty breaks will be more regular, and will get them used to going on a certain schedule. 

Pick the Same Spot

Consistency is key when potty-training, especially at the beginning. When you first start taking your puppy outside to go potty, pick one spot in the yard and take them there every time. This association with this spot helps maintain a routine and will make it easier for them to remember to go potty outside. 

Accompany Them

While it's okay to let adult dogs go potty on their own in a fenced yard, you should always accompany puppies when they're first learning. That way, when they're unsure, you're there to give encouragement. If you're not there with them to reinforce habits, then they might get too distracted. 

Reward Them

Once your puppy does go potty outside, reward them! Talk to them in an encouraging voice, or give them a treat whenever they go.

Use a Crate

One of the best ways to potty train your pup is to use a crate. Keeping your pup in a crate at night can help prevent them from having accidents during the night. A crate that's only big enough for them to lay in and not big enough to find a corner to go potty in is the ideal sized crate.

Using Fresh Patch

Using Fresh Patch as a supplementary potty-training tool can help your puppy get used to the pace of the household and can help strengthen good potty habits. By adding a Fresh Patch to your puppy's routine, they will get used to going where they're supposed to, even if it's an emergency. Once they get used to going outside, your puppy will associate the fresh grass inside with potty time. And that way, instead of having an accident, or waking you up in the middle of the night to go outside, they can relieve themselves on Fresh Patch's all-grass potty!