Common Mistakes to Avoid When Potty Training

There are many common mistakes that pet owners make when potty training their puppy. It is important to avoid making these mistakes to ensure a successful training process!

One of the most common is not cleaning up accidents quickly enough. This can leave residual poop or urine on the pee pad and soil the area.

1. Punishing Accidents

Accidents are a common problem that dogs have when house-training, and they can be frustrating for both you and your puppy. But they are not a reason to give up on the potty training process. In fact, they are a great way to encourage your pup to learn the proper behavior and make sure he’s doing everything correctly.

The key to avoiding accidents is to predict when your dog needs to go outside. This is easier said than done, but it’s crucial to do so when you start potty training your puppy.

If you notice signs that your puppy needs to go outside, such as barking and scratching at the door, circling, or restlessness, take them straight to their potty spot. When you are taking them out, don’t be afraid to reward them with a treat or play with them.

Once you’ve established that potty breaks occur at certain times, you can gradually start to let your puppy out more freely. However, remember to always supervise them and never leave them alone.

Punishing your puppy for accidents is not only unnecessary, but it can actually hinder their progress in house training. Instead of reprimanding your puppy for an accident, simply clean up the soiled area and direct them to their designated potty spot.

It may seem like a waste of energy, but yelling or swatting your puppy is not only ineffective, it can cause more harm as they grow and become fearful of you.

If you find a soiled area, clean it up right away with an enzymatic cleaner that disinfects without affecting the odor. Don’t use ammonia, bleach or any other cleaner that might cause your pup to have more accidents in the future.

Keep in mind that even the most experienced pet owners occasionally need to reprimand their pets for a mistake they have made. Just remember that your mistakes are part of the learning process and that they will get better as you continue to reinforce good behaviors with positive reinforcement.

2. Letting Puppies Free Range

Your puppy needs to be able to explore their environment and have free range when potty training. This will help them develop a connection with their potty area and eliminate outside of the house.

This can also teach your dog that it’s okay to eliminate anywhere, not just on a puppy pee pad or Pee Pee Panel. You should set up a designated elimination zone with a pad or grass patch that’s easy for your dog to access, but keep it clean so they don’t feel tempted to eliminate there.

Once your puppy is comfortable using their potty area, let them go out and explore for a few minutes every one or two hours. During this time, pay attention to their elimination cues and bring them out to their designated potty spot when they’re ready.

You might hear a dog circling, squatting, or sniffing around when they need to go. It’s important to get them outside to their potty spot as soon as you see these signs.

After your puppy goes to their potty place, take them back inside and praise them for their work. This will reinforce the idea that going to their potty place is a positive thing and can make them feel more confident about going in the future.

A good way to do this is to give your puppy a treat immediately after they have eliminated. It will speed up the process and your pup will start to associate the activity with a reward.

It’s a good idea to keep track of the times that your puppy has gone to their potty so you can make sure they’re taking care of business at the right times. This will ensure that your dog has consistent patterns of elimination and will speed up the potty training process.

A common mistake that dog owners make is giving their puppies too much freedom. This can be a huge mistake as it can lead to accidents and potty regressions. When dogs are allowed too much freedom, they tend to be more playful and less likely to listen to your commands.

3. Not Supervising Puppies

Many puppies, particularly those who haven’t completed their puppy vaccine series, don’t like to be confined and are often more independent-minded than other dogs. If your puppy is not crated and has freedom of movement during the day, it’s important to supervise them closely.

Supervising your puppy is especially important when you’re working to train them to go potty outside. It helps prevent accidents in the house and teaches them that you’re there to help them with their toileting needs!

It also makes them feel secure. Rather than being in a crate and wondering if they’re able to get out of it, they’ll know that you’re always watching them, which can encourage them to behave properly.

You can help your puppy understand that going outside is a special time for them by creating a “Potty Schedule.” Set up a chart, a notepad, or a watch alarm to keep track of when they need to go pee or poop. This will help them learn when they need to be in the designated potty area and when it’s safe for them to play or explore.

If you do choose to crate your puppy for a few hours during the day, make sure they’re allowed out of it for a bathroom break at regular intervals (anywhere from every 10 minutes to once an hour). Use a timer or watch alarm to remind them when their potty break is coming up and take them outside immediately after they potty.

This is a great way to avoid accidents in the house, as well as prevent the spread of disease and illness. It’s a good idea to start this routine when your puppy is around four months old, but it’s okay to begin earlier as long as you set an alarm for them.

As soon as they’re finished, go outside and reward them with a treat. You can even throw a treat into the grass outside their outdoor potty area, so they know it’s time for them to go!

Remember to thoroughly clean up any soiled areas after your puppy eliminates, as this can make them want to return to those spots in the future. You can’t just wash the stains out with a soap-and-water solution; you need something stronger that will completely remove any urine scent from the area.