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Writer's pictureCaryl Wolff

Puppy Dog Potty Training

Updated: Feb 17, 2022



When you get your puppy or dog, the first thing on your mind is — “How do I potty train this dog or puppy? I’ve done everything right, and he’s still peeing and pooping everywhere!”


Boy, have you come to the right place! Caryl has not only been a dog trainer and behavior consultant for 20+ years, but she has written several potty training books. Puppy Potty Training: The Expert’s Guide to Housetraining FAST won the 2015 Golden Ebook award!


Whether you call it potty training, house training, or housebreaking , training your dog to eliminate where you want him to can be a very frustrating experience. (I’m not particularly fond of the word “housebreaking” — we’re not teaching your dog to break anything … just to do what you want him to do where you want him to do it.)


Here's the biggest secret - puppy or dog potty training is not dog training - it's People training! They know *how* to pee and poop — you don’t need to teach them to do that. What they don’t know is *where* you want them to go. They do have to be taught! Remember, *you* didn’t pop out of your mother’s womb knowing to use the toilet in the bathroom!!! Someone spent time training you……


And we can show you how to do that in one lesson!


Here’s a quick summary of how to house train your dog –

  • Take him where you want him to go when he has to go and then reward him when he goes there.

  • Supervise your dog or confine him when you can’t watch him.

  • Feed him on a regular schedule.

  • Clean soiled areas with an enzyme-based cleaner.

Potty Training or Housebreaking for Puppies

Dogs need two things to be reliably potty trained: muscle control and mental control - mental control so he knows where he's supposed to go and muscle control in order to "hold it" until he gets there. Puppies generally don’t have either. You may have had a previous puppy who “got it” right away, but THIS puppy doesn’t. This is a different puppy! This puppy may have other areas to excel but may need more help (and time) with the potty training.


Potty Training or Housebreaking for Adult Dogs

Dogs pee and poop where you don’t want for several reasons. We need to determine why your dog is having elimination problems in order to help both him and you. So if you are doing “everything the books say to do” and it’s still not having an effect, then the reason may not be simply incomplete housetraining.


House soiling, as with any behavior issue, may stem from a medical problem. Make sure your vet has thoroughly examined your dog (including a full blood panel, fecal exam, and urinalysis) to rule out anything physically wrong with him.


Let’s get started! Please call (310) 804-2392 for more information and to set up an in-person, Zoom, or telephone appointment. We have helped many people all over the US by phone or Zoom for several years. Lessons are $195 whether virtual or private in the Los Angeles area. (A mileage surcharge may apply.) Click to discover why virtual puppy dog training is an excellent choice for you.


You receive written instructions, a free copy of Caryl's book, When we train together, you receive a free copy of my award-winning book (it’s funny as well as informative, which is also available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle) as well as telephone or email support.


Thanks for visiting Puppy Dog Potty Training. I make a small commission on any products or books I recommend.



Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It does not replace a consultation with a dog trainer, dog behavior consultant, or veterinarian and may not be used to diagnose or treat any conditions in your dog.


If you need help with puppy or dog training, we do both private in-person and virtual lessons via Zoom. Please contact us by calling or texting (310) 804-2392 or sending an email to caryl@DoggieManners.com . We look forward to working with you.

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