5 Puppy Potty Training Mistakes To Avoid

By Team Teddy's Choice

Updated on June 30, 2023 Published February 17, 2022

6 min

21.119 views

5 Puppy Pee Training Mistakes to Avoid

If you are asking yourself, “Why is pee training my puppy so difficult?” you are definitely not alone. Pee training struggles are extremely common, but the good news is that most issues are easy to fix. Below we cover the five most common puppy pee training mistakes and how to turn them around so you can protect your floors and get back on track.

Pee training a puppy requires patience, consistency and a bit of knowledge. If things seem to be going wrong, do not panic. Many problems start from small oversights that are easy to correct.

Here is our list of the top five mistakes to avoid when pee training a puppy. Fix these and your floors will thank you.

1. Expecting Fast Results

If your “pee trained” puppy is suddenly having accidents, the truth is simple: they may not be fully trained yet.

It is very tempting to celebrate a string of clean days and assume the work is done. But true pee training usually takes much longer than expected. Many puppies need up to six months, and sometimes more, to fully understand the routine.

Once you have had several months without accidents, you can feel confident that your puppy truly understands. If you experience a setback, do not worry. Pee training regression is normal. Just return to the basic routine and your puppy will remember much faster the second time.

Once you’ve had at least several accident-free months, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re pretty much there. How to fix toilet training regression? It can be perfectly normal for regression to happen. After all, if we slack off on our duties our puppies will too. So go back to basics and set the foundations again. Your puppy will remember fairly quickly this time too, so it should be smooth sailing from there.

2. Not Staying Alert

Puppies are quick and unpredictable. One moment they are beside you, the next they have found a shoe to chew or a corner of the room to pee in. It takes only a few seconds for an accident to happen.

Supervision is extremely important, even when your puppy starts improving. Watch for signs such as sniffing, circling or sudden distraction. These are early pee cues.

If you need to focus on something else for a moment, a crate or playpen is extremely helpful. Give your puppy a safe place to relax and line the bottom with a Teddy’s Choice Reusable Pad so you do not have to worry about your floors.

If you do need to keep your focus elsewhere for a little while, a crate or playpen can be extremely useful. Give your pup a safe place to chill out momentarily or for short periods while you apply your brain power elsewhere. Line the bottom with some Pee Pads and you can focus without any floor-anxiety either!

Once you’ve had at least several accident-free months, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re pretty much there. How to fix toilet training regression? It can be perfectly normal for regression to happen. After all, if we slack off on our duties our puppies will too. So go back to basics and set the foundations again. Your puppy will remember fairly quickly this time too, so it should be smooth sailing from there.

3. Forgetting to Reward

Puppies are little negotiators at heart. If you want them to repeat a good behavior, you need to show them it was worth it.

One of the biggest causes of regression is removing rewards too early or forgetting to celebrate success. Keep the value of your praise high until you are absolutely sure your puppy understands the task. If things slip, go back to rewarding consistently.

Show your puppy they did the right thing and they will try harder to repeat it.

4.) Waiting too long between pee breaks

Bladder control takes time to develop. Even puppies who seem to be improving can only hold it for short periods. If you wait too long between trips outdoors, accidents will happen.

If you feel things are slipping, return to frequent pee breaks every twenty to thirty minutes. It may seem like a lot, but it helps your puppy succeed. Once the concept is firmly understood, you can gradually increase the time.

Remember that even fully trained puppies can usually only hold it for a few hours unless they are deeply asleep.

If your schedule makes frequent outdoor trips difficult, a Teddy’s Choice Reusable Pad can be a lifesaver. It offers a clean and reliable indoor option for emergencies, crates or quiet corners of the home.

5. Bringing Negative Energy Into the Process

Even when puppies no longer look tiny, they are still learning about the world. Mistakes happen, and every pee training issue is simply a communication gap.

If your puppy has an accident, take a deep breath and stay calm. Avoid scolding or showing frustration, as this can create fear and confusion. An anxious puppy is more likely to hide accidents or feel stressed, which sets the training back even further.

Focus on keeping the training positive, predictable and rewarding. Set your puppy up for success and praise them when they get it right.

We have all experienced these five mistakes, including the moment you pinch the bridge of your nose after the third carpet stain of the week. But with patience and the tips above, you will get through it.

Stick with the process and soon you will have clean floors and a puppy who confidently understands where to go. You have got this.

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