Potty training is about management and consistency, not punishment. You need to set your dog up to succeed by getting them to the right spot at the right time — then rewarding them heavily for going there.
The Potty Schedule
Take your dog outside to the designated potty spot:
- First thing in the morning (immediately out of crate)
- After every meal (within 15 minutes)
- After naps
- After play sessions
- Before bedtime
- Every 1-2 hours for puppies (longer for adult dogs)
The Protocol
- Take them to the same spot every time. Stand still and wait up to 5 minutes.
- The instant they start going: wait until they finish → "Yes! Good potty!" → treat party (3-5 treats).
- If they don't go after 5 minutes: go back inside, crate them for 15 minutes, try again.
- When they're inside and not in the crate, keep them within eyesight at all times (leash them to you if needed).
Dealing with Accidents
- If you catch them in the act: Calmly interrupt ("Oops!"), scoop them up, take them outside. Reward if they finish outside.
- If you find it after the fact: Clean it up. That's it. Rubbing their nose in it does nothing except make them afraid to go in front of you.
- Use an enzymatic cleaner (like Nature's Miracle). Regular cleaners leave scent traces that invite repeat accidents.
The golden rule:
Every accident is a management failure, not a dog failure. If your dog had an accident, you weren't supervising closely enough or didn't take them out recently enough. Adjust your schedule.