How Do You House Train a Puppy? A Detailed Guide
Updated: Aug 19
House training a puppy is typically one of the most overwhelming parts of getting a new dog. We get lots of questions from our puppy parents about where to start, how long it will take, etc.
We have referenced potty training tips and the value of having a consistent puppy schedule in a number of different articles. But here we aim to provide a more detailed guide and ways to troubleshoot common indoor puppy training issues.
House Training Your Puppy Starts with the Right Crate
House training your puppy begins even before you bring him home. First, you want to make sure you have the appropriate size crate. Ask your breeder if you aren’t sure which size will be the best fit.
Dogs come hardwired with a natural tendency to avoid soiling their sleeping area. A correctly sized crate means your pup can comfortably stretch out to lay down, but there should not be extra space for him to walk around and find a corner that feels separate from his sleeping area.
In addition to having an appropriately sized crate, you will also want to limit the area your pup has access to inside of your home. You will want to prepare your house in a way that sets him up for success.
This often means keeping his play area small. The smaller the area, the easier it will be to keep an eye on your pup and catch him in the moment if he does have an accident.
Teach Your Puppy Not to Jump on People
An excited puppy jumping up to say hello may be cute at 10 pounds, but it’s a lot less cute when that puppy grows into a 50-pound dog! Start teaching good greeting habits early by rewarding your puppy when all four paws are on the floor.
“This reward must be immediate to be effective,” says the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB).
And if your pup does jump, avoid giving him the attention he’s looking for. Once he settles down, reward him with praise, pets, or a treat. Make sure family members and visitors follow the same rules—consistency will help your puppy figure things out much faster.
Use Baby Gates, Playpens, and Leashes Indoors to Create Barriers for Your Puppy
One of the easiest ways to keep a puppy out of trouble is simply limiting where he can go. Baby gates and playpens allow your puppy to spend time with the family without having free rein of the entire house.
You can even keep your puppy on a lightweight leash indoors when you need to keep a particularly close eye on him. As your pup learns the rules of the house and becomes more trustworthy, you can gradually give him more freedom.
Puppy-Proof Your House
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, so assume that anything within reach is fair game!
Before bringing your puppy home, get down at puppy level and look for cords, shoes, medications, trash, small objects, houseplants, or anything else he could chew or swallow. You can learn more about what household items to remove here.
Keeping tempting items out of reach isn't just about safety—it also makes training much easier. The fewer opportunities your puppy has to practice unwanted behaviors like chewing shoes or digging through the trash, the fewer bad habits you'll have to undo later.
Potty Training is a Significant Part of House Training
We all know accidents happen. “A puppy lacks development of the bladder muscles necessary to hold their urine and feces for long periods of time as adult dogs can,” explains the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Therefore we strongly recommend setting up your puppy’s designated bathroom area within sight of the backdoor (or whichever door you intend to take him out of to do his business).
Having an area that is within direct eyeline to the outside door will really help your pup connect the dots when it comes to actually alerting you that he needs to go.
If your pup has free run of the whole house, there is a high likelihood that he will pee somewhere in a faraway corner and you may not find it until hours (or days!) later which is much too late to scold your pup.
If you do not catch your pup in the moment of an accident, you are missing out on a golden training opportunity!
Furthermore, having a large amount of space to roam is a bit overwhelming for a pup. Even if he is beginning to understand the concept of potty training, if he is upstairs and realizes his bladder is full, you can almost guarantee an accident before he makes it to the door.
Another factor to consider in your pup’s play area is any rug or contrast in flooring. A puppy with a full bladder will pee anywhere.
However, they do more often gravitate toward rugs/carpeted areas as opposed to hardwood or tile floors, particularly if they have been exposed to puppy pads or something similar.
If you have a favorite rug in a common area of the house, it may be best to roll it up and store it away for the time being.
Having all one type of flooring in your pup’s designated area will make him less likely to think that one particular part of it (like a rug!) is okay for going potty.
When House Training a Puppy, Be Aware of These Challenges
There are a few reasons your puppy may be having accidents in the crate. First, make sure the crate isn’t too big. Your pup should be able to comfortably stretch out, but there shouldn’t be enough extra space to use one corner as a bathroom.
If the crate is the right size, your puppy may simply not be able to hold it yet. Young puppies often need a potty break after 4–6 hours overnight, and naps shouldn’t go much longer than two hours without a break during those first few weeks.
Accidents on the way outside are common, too—especially first thing in the morning or after a long nap. If your pup just can’t quite make it to the door, carry him outside until his bladder control catches up!
Recent posts:
If you are following all these tips and still dealing with crate accidents or very frequent house accidents, you may consider whether or not your puppy has a UTI or is “overhydrated.”
UTIs are fairly common for puppies, especially doodles. The curly doodle hair can trap bacteria around your puppy’s urethra causing an infection. There are many symptoms of UTIs which you can read about here.
If you suspect your dog has a UTI, call your veterinarian.
"Female dogs get UTIs more often than male pups, but any age and breed can be affected," explains PetMD.
Puppy House Training FAQs
When can I let my puppy roam freely around the house?
There isn't a magic age when a puppy suddenly earns free rein of the house. Instead, increase his freedom gradually as he shows that he can be trusted not to have accidents, chew inappropriate items, or get into trouble.
Starting with one or two puppy-safe areas and expanding from there usually works best.
What should I do with my puppy when I can't supervise him?
If you can't keep an eye on your puppy, put him somewhere safe such as his crate, playpen, or a puppy-proofed gated area.
Young puppies have a knack for finding trouble surprisingly quickly, so preventing unwanted behaviors is much easier than trying to correct them afterward.
How do I stop my puppy from chewing things around the house?
Chewing is completely normal for puppies, especially while they're teething. Keep shoes, cords, kids' toys, and other tempting objects out of reach and provide plenty of puppy-safe chew toys instead.
If you catch your puppy chewing something he shouldn't, calmly redirect him toward something he can chew.
Should my puppy have a daily routine?
Yes! Puppies tend to do much better when their days are somewhat predictable. Keeping meals, naps, potty breaks, playtime, training, and bedtime on a consistent schedule can help your puppy understand what's expected and make those first few weeks at home much easier.
How long should I supervise my puppy inside the house?
Plan on closely supervising your puppy during those first several weeks at home. Over time, you can loosen the reins as your puppy consistently follows the house rules.
If unwanted behaviors suddenly start popping up again, that's usually a good sign that your pup was given a little too much freedom too soon!
House Training Your Puppy is Tough the First Few weeks, but Stick With it!
We know the first few weeks can be full of ups and downs and feeling overwhelmed with all the training that must be done. Keeping an eye on your puppy at all times is exhausting.
But keep in mind it is a relatively short time and the more consistent you are, the sooner your hard work will pay off. Eventually your pup will be reliable in the house for many years to come!
Learn more about our custom dog training programs, and remember, your puppy will still bond with you even if someone else trains them.
Authored by the JLDD Team. Learn more about what makes us premium puppy breeders here.
