Good Dog Week7-Day Puppy Potty Training Schedule
Potty training is mostly about timing. Take your puppy out before they need to go, reward the right spot, and accidents become rare.
Why it happens
- Puppies have small bladders and little control at first.
- They go when they wake up, after eating and after play.
- Punishment teaches them to hide when they go, not where to go.
What you need
- A crate or pen sized for your puppy
- Enzyme cleaner for accidents
- Tiny treats kept by the door
- A timer on your phone
The 7-day plan
One short session a day. Stop while your dog is still enjoying it.
1
Set the schedule · 5 min
- Go out after waking, after meals, after play and before bed.
- Also go out regularly in between (young puppies often need to go every 1-2 hours when awake).
- Always go to the same spot.
2
Reward instantly · 5 min
- Stand quietly at the spot. When your puppy goes, praise calmly and reward right there.
- Rewarding later, back inside, is too late.
- Add a cue like 'go potty' as they go.
3
Supervise or confine · 5 min
- Indoors, keep your puppy in sight or in a pen.
- Watch for sniffing and circling: go out right away.
- Most accidents happen when no one is watching.
4
Handle accidents calmly · 5 min
- If you catch it, calmly carry your puppy outside.
- Clean with enzyme cleaner to remove the smell.
- Never scold after the fact.
5
Night routine · 5 min
- Take water up an hour or two before bed (ask your vet what's right).
- Go out last thing at night.
- Young puppies may need one night-time trip; keep it quiet and boring.
6
Track patterns · 5 min
- Note times of pees and poops for a couple of days.
- Adjust the schedule to your puppy's rhythm.
- Patterns make accidents predictable.
7
Stretch the gaps slowly · 5 min
- If there have been no accidents, extend the time between trips a little.
- Keep rewarding outdoor potty for weeks.
- Setbacks are normal; go back a step.
Troubleshooting
My puppy goes right after coming back inside.
Stay out a few minutes longer and keep it boring until they go. Play afterwards, not before.
Accidents in the crate.
The crate may be too big, or your puppy is left too long. Ask your vet if you suspect a health issue.
Should I use pads?
Pads can help in apartments but may slow outdoor training. Pick one plan and be consistent.
When to get help
Frequent accidents, straining or very frequent urination can be signs of a urinary infection. Your vet can check.