Puppy Potty Training 101

How to Potty Train Your Puppy the Right WayBy K9 Kindergarten | David Wilkins, IACP Pro Master Trainer

If you're welcoming a new puppy into your home, congratulations! But before you stock up on puppy pads and cross your fingers... let’s talk about how to actually potty train your pup — the right way.

At K9 Kindergarten, we’ve helped thousands of families housebreak their dogs quickly and successfully using simple, humane methods based on canine behavior. Here’s what you need to know:

First Rule: Ditch the Puppy Pads

Forget newspaper and potty pads. They’re not helping — they’re teaching your puppy to go to the bathroom inside your home. Instead, invest in a good crate and start crate training immediately. Dogs are naturally clean, den-loving animals. A crate gives your puppy a cozy, safe space — think of it like a crib with a lid.

Supervision is Non-Negotiable

Your puppy should only be out of the crate when you can fully supervise. If you’re on the phone, cooking dinner, watching TV, or working on your computer — the crate is where they should be.

Why? Because one accident indoors is all it takes to create a habit. And habits form fast.

Schedule Is Everything

Puppies need to go outside:

• After waking up

• After eating

• After playtime

Take them out on a leash, stand in one spot, and give a clear command like “Go potty.” When they go, praise them — but skip the treats. Treats can confuse the purpose and encourage them to fake potty trips just to get snacks.

Feeding schedules matter too. Let your puppy eat for 15–20 minutes max, then pick up the food. Grazing = unpredictable potty habits. Also, take them out 30 minutes after drinking water.

Repetition + Consistency = Success

Dogs learn through patterns. If you’re consistent, they’ll succeed. If you give them too much freedom too soon, they’ll fail. Would you let a toddler roam your house unsupervised? Probably not — and the same goes for puppies.

If you think crates are “cruel,” think of it like a playpen for a baby — it's about safety, structure, and learning boundaries.

Know What to Expect by Age

At 8–10 weeks, your puppy’s bladder is tiny — they need to go out every 2–4 hours. If you can’t be home regularly during that stage, consider adopting an older dog. Puppies are a lot of work, and they’re not fully developed until about 16 weeks.

By 4 months, your pup should be 100% housebroken if you’ve been consistent.

The Secret Morning Trick

Here’s our favorite tip:When your puppy wakes up, immediately take them outside. If they don’t go, bring them back in, put them back in the crate, and try again in 5–10 minutes. Repeat until success. This builds a strong routine from the start.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too big a crate? Use a divider. If your pup can potty on one side and sleep on the other, it’s too big.

• Letting them “free roam” in a laundry room? Big mistake. They’ll chew, dig, or even destroy drywall and doors.

• Using potty pads or litter boxes long term? You’re creating a problem, not solving one. Dogs trained to pee indoors will never be truly housebroken — they just learn to go “near” the pad.

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The Real Secret? Burn That Puppy Energy!

Puppies need daily play, walks, and mental stimulation. A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy.

When to Call in a Pro

If you’ve followed all the steps and are still struggling, don’t worry — we’ve got your back. Our team at K9 Kindergarten has trained every breed and every behavior under the sun.

Even clients in wheelchairs have had success with our in-home potty training plans. It’s not about luck — it’s about understanding canine behavior and using it to your advantage.

📞 Call us at 586-232-4955 if you need help to personalize your potty training. We'll teach you how to communicate with your pup in a way they understand — so you both win. Because the truth is, most dog problems... are people problems in disguise. Let us help you get it right from day one!