House training a puppy is one of the first big challenges new dog owners face – and one of the most important. With patience, consistency, and the right approach, your puppy can learn quickly and confidently.
Below is your complete guide to house training a puppy, packed with proven tips, positive-reinforcement methods, and expert advice to make the process as smooth as possible.
1. Take Your Puppy Outside Regularly
Puppies have very small bladders and can’t hold it for long. A good rule of thumb is to take them outside every 2–3 hours. Frequent trips help prevent accidents and give them plenty of opportunities to succeed.
2. Go Outside After Meals and Naps
Your puppy will almost always need a toilet break right after eating and right after waking up. Build this into your routine to reduce indoor accidents.
3. Provide an Indoor Backup (Pee Pads or Astro-Turf)
Accidents will happen, especially with very young puppies. Keeping a pee pad or astro-turf mat available gives your puppy a safe place to go if they cannot get outside.
4. Gently Guide Your Puppy Outside After an Accident
If your puppy starts to wee indoors, calmly pick them up and guide them outside.
No yelling. No punishment. Just redirect. This reinforces that outside is the correct place to go.
5. Never Punish Accidents
Punishment creates fear and confusion, and it can actually make house training take longer. Puppies learn best through consistency and positive reinforcement, not fear.
6. Clean Accidents Thoroughly
Use a non-ammonia pet-safe cleaning product to remove odour.
If any scent remains, your puppy may return to the same spot thinking it’s an approved toilet area.
7. Praise and Reward Success
Celebrate every successful outdoor toilet session!
Use enthusiastic praise, gentle affection, or a small treat.
This helps your puppy quickly learn: “Outside = good things.”
8. Watch for Signals
Learn your puppy’s pre-pee cues. These can include:
Sniffing the floor
Circling
Sudden restlessness
Wandering away from you
Going quiet after excitement
Recognising these signals early helps prevent accidents inside.
9. Use a Cue Word
Once your puppy starts going outside, softly say a cue like:
“wee-wee”
“go potty”
“toilet time”
Eventually, they will associate the word with the action -helpful for rainy days or travel.
10. Limit Freedom at First
Puppies who roam freely through the house are more likely to have accidents. Use:
Baby gates
Closed doors
Playpens
Controlled spaces improve supervision and reinforce good habits.
Looking for help from a qualified animal behaviourist?
At Gentled Animals, we’re here to help you and your puppy live harmoniously, with understanding and kindness at the heart of every solution.