PetsCareLab
Having a new puppy at home brings immense joy and excitement, but it also comes with its share of challenges—one of the biggest being house-training. Thankfully, most puppies are eager to please their humans, making them naturally inclined to learn proper bathroom habits.
If you’ve been diligently working on potty training but your furry friend continues to have accidents, you’re likely eager to find effective ways to stop your puppy from peeing indoors. Here’s everything you need to know to succeed.
How Often Should Puppies Go Outside to Pee?
Puppies, much like infants, initially have limited bladder control. However, as they grow, their ability to hold urine gradually improves.
When you first bring home an 8-week-old puppy, it’s essential to take her outdoors every 30 to 60 minutes during the first couple of weeks. This frequent schedule helps prevent indoor accidents and helps your pup adjust to doing her business outside.
Generally speaking, a puppy’s ability to hold their bladder is roughly equal to their age in months plus one hour. For example, a 2-month-old puppy can typically hold it for about three hours.
Puppy Bladder Control Chart
| Age | Recommended Potty Break Frequency |
|---|---|
| 2 months old | Every 2–3 hours |
| 3 months old | Every 3–4 hours |
| 4 months old | Every 4–5 hours |
By the time your puppy is between 4 and 6 months old, she should have developed full bladder control, and you’ll likely enjoy uninterrupted sleep through the night again! Even then, it’s important to continue taking her out three to five times daily for bathroom breaks.
What to Do if Your Puppy Is Peeing Inside
House-training is one of the first lessons your new puppy will learn, but keep in mind it can take anywhere from days to months depending on your puppy’s temperament and consistency in training.
If your puppy continues to have accidents indoors, never punish her. Outdated methods such as swatting with newspapers or rubbing a puppy’s nose in urine are harmful and ineffective. These punishments cause fear and can damage the bond between you and your dog.
Instead, focus on positive reinforcement. Reward your puppy with praise and tasty treats when she successfully holds her bladder and goes outside.
If accidents persist despite your best efforts, consult your veterinarian. There could be underlying medical issues contributing to the behavior. Your vet will help determine whether it’s a training, behavioral, or health problem so you can tackle it appropriately.
How Can You Tell When Your Puppy Needs to Go Out?
One of the toughest parts of potty training is bridging communication between you and your puppy. While she might understand the basics, she may not yet know how to signal when she needs a bathroom break.
Though puppies can’t speak, they convey their needs through various behaviors. Learning to recognize your pup’s unique signs is crucial for successful house-training.
Common signals your puppy may display include:
- Crying or whimpering softly
- Pawing or lingering by the door
- Pacing restlessly
- Jumping near where you hang the leash
- Squatting or assuming a potty posture
- Sniffing around or circling
- Barking to get your attention
- Sudden changes in activity or behavior
What to Do if Your Puppy Is Peeing in the House When You’re Away
Leaving your puppy alone, even for short stretches, can be challenging when she isn’t yet house-trained. She doesn’t understand when you’ll return and has no way to go outside if she needs to relieve herself. Luckily, there are strategies to help manage this.
Limit Time Away
Initially, don’t leave your puppy alone for more than 30 minutes at a time. Gradually increase the duration as she gets comfortable being alone and gains better bladder control.
If you must be away longer, know that accidents might happen depending on her age and bladder strength. Take her outside for a bathroom break right before you leave to minimize this chance, and stay patient—getting upset won’t help.
Use a Crate
Crate training is an effective tool to prevent indoor accidents during your absence. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping space, so a properly sized crate can encourage your puppy to hold it until you return.
Never Punish for Accidents While You’re Gone
It’s especially important not to punish your puppy for accidents that occur while you’re away. Dogs only associate consequences with actions if they happen within a few seconds, so punishing after the fact can cause confusion and fear without teaching what you intend.
House-training a puppy can be trying at times, but with consistent patience, gentle guidance, and plenty of positive reinforcement, your puppy will learn to thrive as a well-trained member of your family. PetsCareLab is here to support you every step of the way!
