So you’ve got a new puppy? Congratulations! It’s going to be a lot of fun, but there’s plenty of work to do too. You’re probably wondering how to stop a puppy from peeing in the house, for a start. You’ll be glad to know it’s pretty easy, it just takes consistency on your part… and a little patience, too. But with those big puppy-dog eyes staring back at you, the odd accident along the way really won’t seem that important. Show
So, let’s get started with the basics! How often do puppies pee?A general rule of thumb is that your canine companion can hold her bladder approximately one hour for every month old they are. Most puppies find their way to a new home at 2-3 months old, so can go 2-3 hours between toilet breaks. Some estimates add another hour onto their age in months; it will vary depending on your puppy. It’s not an exact science, so don’t assume that the moment they turn another month old you get an extra hour of pee-holding – it’s all about learning as we go! Puppies under 16 weeks of age are really not able to control their bladders, but they can learn the rules, so do your training early and you’ll see them progress quickly once they’re past that age. Naturally, the first thought to cross your mind will be “Should I wake my puppy up to pee at night?”. Good news! Puppies can hold it a little longer while they are sleeping. You will still need to make (at least) one trip halfway through the night for puppies under 4 months old, and maybe a little after that for some pups. Remember to set a (gentle) alarm for 4-5 hours after your puppy’s bedtime. If they wake you up in the night, make sure you take them outside even if you don’t think that’s what they are asking for. 🐾Top tip: leave some cosy slippers (for you) and a high-value tasty treat (for your pupper) somewhere easy to grab during those night-time loo breaks. For puppies under four months, try tiny pieces of plain, cooked chicken. Older pups can enjoy a wider range of treatos; delicious Chicken Bites, anyone? What if my puppy has an accident?It’s also important to remember not to scold your pupper harshly for mistakes. First because it’s hard for them to get their fluffy little heads around what it is that you want, and second because it can make them nervous to pee in front of you… and that could lead to them hiding away to do it. We hear that behind the sofa is an excellent hiding place! There are a couple of different ways to train your puppy, so read on to see which one will work best for you and your new best bud. How to potty train your puppy with pee padsThis method requires a little more thought on your part, but could help to reduce the number of full-blown accidents as your puppy learns the ropes. It uses pee pads, or puppy pads, as an intermediate step between peeing anywhere they like and learning to only pee outside. This means you can set up an area of your puppy play pen or their crate (if you’re crate training) with some nice absorbent pads that reduce the mess caused by little accidents. This is a good option if you live in a flat and have a very young puppy, as it means fewer trips up and down the stairs/in the lift until they are old enough to hold it a bit longer. If you only have shared space for exercising your pooch, use this method to limit their time in that space until they have had all of their vaccines. So, here’s how to stop your puppy peeing inside:
If your puppy doesn’t go when you’re outside for a pee break, bring him in. Don’t play with him or make a big deal about it; just take him back outside in 15 mins and try again until he decides to oblige! Otherwise, he will associate waiting by the door with you taking him outside for playtime. 🐾Top tip: learn to recognise the subtle signs that your fluffy friend is ‘crossing his legs’, so to speak! Some dogs circle or sniff the ground, looking for just the right spot! Others might move towards the door or start pawing at the exit. How to house train your puppy without using pee padsThis method is the one-and-done way to train your puppy not to pee in the house! The advantages are that the way you train stays the same all the way through – no moving pads around – and that you don’t have to buy lots of puppy pads. The disadvantage is that any little accidents go directly onto your floor/carpet/whatever else little Fido happens to be sitting on at the time, and you do have to get yourself and your canine companion outside at all hours, whatever the weather. Here are the steps you need to follow:
🐾Top tip: as with all training, keep the treats on hand. You need to reward behaviour as it is happening, and not a moment later – particularly in puppies – so running to the cupboard or spending a minute rummaging in your pockets can lead to less effective results (or no results at all). Over time, you’ll be able to leave them longer between toilet breaks, and they will start to develop their own way of showing you that they need to go. Most dogs will head to the door, and when they’re a bit older you can teach them how you want them to get your attention. You can even get a little bell on a rope that they can ring for breaktime! You can also use the same word when they are mid-flow and lots of praise to teach them to ‘pee on command’, which can be useful if you’re taking them out in the car and want them to pee before you set off, for example. 🐾Top tip: don’t use a command that you will say to your puppy on other occasions. For example, the phrase ‘do a wee’ is in the sentence ‘do you need to do a wee?’ – and if you’re just asking your pup that, it probably means you’re not outside yet! Similarly, ‘Good boy/girl’ could result in a lot of accidents! ‘Go toilet’ and ‘Do your business’ are good options, or pick something else that works for you. So there you have it! Our simple guide to getting your good boys and girls house trained. If you’re doing your research but haven’t picked up your puppy yet – and ‘How do I stop my puppy peeing inside?’ was just your first question – you’ll love our article about surviving the first 24 hours with your new canine companion. Should I take my 8 week old puppy out at night?It doesn't matter if it's 8 p.m. or midnight, as long as it becomes a routine. Take him to his crate and help him settle down for the night. Night: If your puppy is not yet able to make it through the night, set an alarm so you can get up and take him out for a quick, boring potty break.
How often should I take my puppy out at night?Puppies can hold it a little longer while they are sleeping. You will still need to make (at least) one trip halfway through the night for puppies under 4 months old, and maybe a little after that for some pups. Remember to set a (gentle) alarm for 4-5 hours after your puppy's bedtime.
When should I stop letting my puppy out at night?By three or four months of age, most pups are physically capable of making it through the night — about seven or eight hours — without a bathroom trip.
Can a 10 week old puppy sleep through the night?When Do Puppies Start Sleeping Through the Night? Most puppies will sleep through the night by the time they're about 4 months (16 weeks) old. But with some help, diligence, and proactive training, you may be able to get your puppy there even earlier!
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