4 min read • By Wyatt West, Timberdog Staff Writer & Outdoor Fiend
So, you’ve got a new puppy. Congratulations! You’ve just adopted an adorable, wiggly little cloud of fur who will love you unconditionally and, for the foreseeable future, pee everywhere.
I won’t sugarcoat it—housebreaking a puppy is a test of patience, endurance, and your ability to wake up at 3 a.m. without swearing (spoiler: you will fail at this). But don’t worry. With a solid game plan, a good sense of humor, and a truckload of paper towels, you and your new best friend will make it through this.
Step 1: Adjust Your Expectations (and Your Sleep Schedule)
The first thing to accept is that your puppy is, at best, a tiny, confused baby with zero bladder control. They have no idea why peeing on your Persian rug is a problem. Your job is to gently, patiently, and repeatedly explain—without losing your mind—that there is a right place and a wrong place to go.
The general rule of thumb? A puppy can hold their bladder one hour per month of age. So, if you’ve got an eight-week-old pup, expect bathroom breaks every two hours, minimum. Yes, even at night. Say goodbye to REM sleep and hello to standing outside in your pajamas at 4 a.m., praying for a quick pee while your pup chases a leaf.
Step 2: The Secret Weapon—A Schedule
Consistency is key when housebreaking a puppy. Set up a schedule that looks something like this:
- First thing in the morning – You will be greeted by a full bladder and zero patience. Get outside ASAP.
- After every meal – Food in, pee out. Puppies have lightning-fast digestive systems, so get them outside within 10–15 minutes of eating.
- After every nap – They wake up, they pee. Every. Single. Time.
- After playtime – Excitement = bladder failure. Plan accordingly.
- Right before bed – This one’s important unless you love surprises at 2 a.m.
Stick to the schedule like your sanity depends on it—because it does.
Step 3: Pick a Potty Spot and Stick to It
Find a designated potty spot outside and take your pup there every single time. The more they associate that patch of grass (or whatever you’ve got) with “this is where I go,” the faster they’ll learn.
Use a simple command like “Go potty” (or, if you’re feeling fancy, “Relieve thyself, my noble hound”) and praise them like they just won an Olympic gold medal every time they get it right. Enthusiastic, over-the-top praise makes a huge difference—puppies live for your approval.
Step 4: Accidents Will Happen. Stay Cool.
Here’s what not to do when your pup inevitably pees on your floor:
- Don’t yell. Puppies don’t understand guilt. They understand fear, and that’s not what we’re going for here.
- Don’t rub their nose in it. This does nothing except make them confused and a little weirded out.
- Don’t chase them around with a mop, muttering about how you used to have nice things. Trust me, I’ve tried.
Instead, clean up the mess using an enzymatic cleaner (regular household cleaners won’t fully remove the scent, and your puppy will keep coming back to that spot). If you catch them in the act, a quick but firm “No” followed by immediately taking them outside is your best bet.
Step 5: Crate Training—Your Best Friend (Besides the Dog)
Some people feel bad about crate training, but here’s the truth: dogs love dens. A properly introduced crate becomes their safe space. More importantly, it helps prevent accidents because puppies don’t like to pee where they sleep.
A few crate training tips:
- Make it comfy! A soft, pee-proof bed and a toy go a long way (and here's how to clean that bed if they have an accident)
- Never use the crate as punishment. It should be a happy place, not doggy jail.
- Size matters—too big and they’ll pee in one corner and sleep in the other. Too small and they’ll feel cramped.
Use the crate at night and when you can’t supervise. When they’re out, keep a close eye on them—think of them as a toddler who just learned how to walk but has no sense of danger (or bladder control).
Step 6: Celebrate Small Wins
That first full night without an accident? Celebrate. The moment they finally run to the door instead of squatting in your hallway? Throw a party. Every little milestone means you’re making progress, and progress is what keeps you from losing your mind.
Bonus Pro Tips from Someone Who’s Been There
- Bell training is magic. Hang a little bell by the door and ring it every time you take your pup out. Eventually, they’ll learn to ring it themselves when they need to go. (Fair warning: they may also ring it just to go outside and sniff stuff.)
- Always have treats handy. Positive reinforcement speeds things up—reward every successful potty break. Pro tip: stinky, high value treats are the way to go.
- Patience, patience, patience. Some puppies get housebroken in weeks, others take months. Don’t compare your pup to someone else’s perfect Instagram dog. Every dog learns at their own pace.
Final Thoughts: This Too Shall Pass
Right now, housebreaking might feel like an endless cycle of puddles, frustration, and sleep deprivation. But trust me—one day, you’ll wake up, look around, and realize your floors are clean. No mystery puddles. No frantic midnight dashes outside. Just a well-trained dog who knows where to go.
And when that day comes, you’ll feel an overwhelming sense of pride. Because you did it. You survived puppyhood, and now you’ve got a best friend for life—one who no longer pees on' your shoes.
Totally worth it.
Photo credit: Ayla Verschuaren