8 Experts Explain (How To Potty Train A Puppy)

By Licensed Agent Sa El

Edited & Expert Reviewed by Sa El

Updated: February 16, 2023

You can add me and my husband to the 68% of American households that own at least one pet now.

We have added two miniature schnauzers to the family and the one thing that's keeps us up at night is how we will potty train them. 

how to potty train a puppy

As I started to do research I realized that no one really put the answers in one place to get an idea of the overall best method.

So I decided to reach out to a few pet, puppy and dog experts in regards to this. I asked them the number one question that is going to come up when you decide to get a new puppy:

How should a new puppy owner potty train their furbaby?  This guide will be a starting point of your parenthood as a dog owner.

The Experts On Potty Training Your Puppy

#1: Sadie Cornelius (Caninejournal.com)

First, place your puppy on the pee pad several times throughout the day.

If your pup begins to go potty, say, “go potty” (or some other cue) to help them relate the command with the action.

If they have an accident, bring them back to the pee pad immediately.

When your puppy uses the pee pad, reward them by giving them lots of attention or offering a treat. 

Once your furbaby is consistently relieving themselves on the pee pad, begin moving it closer to the door.


This helps them associate going to the door when they need to go potty.  Repeat step 6 until you can move the pee pad outside.  Then you’ve successfully potty trained your puppy.

#2: Katherine George (Dumb Friends League)

First, place your puppy on the pee pad several times throughout the day.

If your pup begins to go potty, say, “go potty” (or some other cue) to help them relate the command with the action.

If they have an accident, bring them back to the pee pad immediately.

When your puppy uses the pee pad, reward them by giving them lots of attention or offering a treat. 

Once your furbaby is consistently relieving themselves on the pee pad, begin moving it closer to the door.


This helps them associate going to the door when they need to go potty.  Repeat step 6 until you can move the pee pad outside.  Then you’ve successfully potty trained your puppy.

#3: Amanda Neff (Young Williams AC)

Routine: just like children, puppies do best when they are on a consistent schedule, so they begin to learn when to expect certain things.

Positive reinforcement/ appraisal: give your puppy plenty of love and hands-on affection immediately following the task that you approve of.

Treat rewards: a tiny piece of a treat immediately after a desired behavior will be just enough to get your puppy’s attention to indicate that you are proud of them. (Some puppies are more food motivated than others)

Crate training: helps confine your puppy to a slightly smaller area. 

It becomes uncomfortable for the puppy to soil the space where he spends most of his time. 


Through routine and positive reinforcement he learns that, if he just waits, he will be able to go outside to potty.


Patience: it often takes a full year to completely potty train a puppy.

There will be plenty of messes to clean up and maybe even frequent baths.

Just give your puppy the patience and time he needs to ensure the most successful outcome.


Dog appeasing pheromones: these are great for all dogs of all ages.


It helps give them a sense of security and reinsurance and can have many behavioral benefits.


Toys: last but not least.

Toys provide ways for your puppy to release some of their built up energy, appropriately.


Stress can make potty training more difficult.


By providing our pets with positive outlets to release their energy we are also providing ways for them to help sooth themselves.

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#4: Heather Saxton (Wanderers Rest)

Every time the puppy wakes up, is done playing, or done eating, take the puppy outside to the same spot every time.  

Praise the puppy every time it does go to the bathroom outside.  

If the puppy goes in the house, pick it up (the feces, or a paper towel with the urine) and put it outside in that same spot where you want the dog to go to the bathroom outside. 

When you notice that the puppy is about to go in the house, pick the puppy up and take it to that spot, then praise when it goes.

#5: Alexandra Segal (Animalso.com)

How do you potty train a puppy? 

Here are 3 key principles to keep in mind.

Get a schedule: Coordinate your meals and potty breaks so that puppy eats at the same time every day. 

She will need to go out every 30 to 45 minutes at a young age, this will change to every 2 hours with age.

Keep a watchful eye: Always keep an eye out when your puppy is roaming free in the house and outdoors as well.

Keep her confined to one area of the home. You can do this by using a crate or pen.

All about attitude: Stay calm, be patient and use positive reinforcement.

Never punish your puppy!

Setbacks will happen in the beginning, but it will get better if you’re diligent.

If you catch puppy in the act, instead of yelling, clap your hands. Reward your puppy when she goes potty in the right place.

Be sure to check out their awesome infographic about this subject as well. 

#6: Kelsie McKenzie (Itsdogornothing)

My advice would be to crate train.

Ensure your puppy has enough room to move around comfortably, but doesn't have room to do his business.

Also, set boundaries and be consistent.

When potty training, puppies are never more than a few feet away from me in case they start to go in the house.

 I can swiftly pick them up and take them outside.

Always have potty breaks after eating, after napping, and after playing.

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#7: Sandor Fagyal (Europuppy.com)

I believe that Crate Training is by far the best method for a successful potty training of your puppy.

And it is especially convenient as it can be combined with house training too.

Many people cringe at the idea of putting a young puppy in a crate, but most dogs, being den animals, really like a crate environment.

If you have a large crate, well ventilated, and with plenty of toys, a new puppy can learn to love it as their own safe place. 

Keeping the crate as a positive place, where the puppy only spends shorts amount of time, can be very effective for potty training.

And dogs do not like to go potty in their own space.

The key to making crate training work is a good routine, and the right schedule.

Especially as it can take months, though often far less than this.

Always go out right away first thing in the morning and before bedtime, and 30 mins after a meal.

Then start by placing your new pup in their crate for 2-3 hours max in one go, and follow this with an immediate walk outside to do their business.

Picking a regular spot can also help the puppy associate with going to the toilet there.

You can then keep your puppy out of a crate for at least an hour or two, to enjoy free time, before placing back in.

Soon you will learn your puppies schedule, and a few accidents will show you when you have stretched it too far between crate times.

So after a week or two a pup should need to spend less and less time in the crate.

Within a matter of weeks a puppy will have learnt that outside is the place for pees and poops, and the new owner will know the puppy’s routine for heading out for business.

#8: Vicki Smirnova (ThePets.net)

To train a puppy to the toilet is not an easy task. But if you follow my expert advice, then you can quickly teach your puppy. 


You will achieve the best results when your puppy is 4-5 months, but you can start training him as early as 2 -2.5 months.  

To get your pet used to the tray (or crate), you will need the following accessories:

  • Correctly selected tray (or crate)
  • Special diapers for dogs
  • Sprays for behavior correction

After purchasing accessories, you can start the learning process. First, install the dog tray. See what places the pet chooses for its toilet. Make sure that the tray has no high sides and in a flat position without wobbling. Choose a newspaper or a diaper as a filler.

At first, do not change the diaper so that the puppy finds the toilet by smell. If the puppy has chosen places for the toilet that are not suitable for you, put bowls of water and food there. The dog will not make a toilet where it eats.

After you have prepared the tray, start training the puppy. Education should take place in stages:

Puppies go to the toilet after sleeping, eating or playing. As soon as the puppy begins to spin around and look for a place to sit down and defecate, bring it to the tray.

If the puppy went to the tray, praise him. Reward the action by giving him a delicious treat.

If the puppy has made a puddle on the floor, blot it with a diaper. Then put the diaper in the tray and bring the puppy there.

If the puppy did not find the toilet and did his business on the carpet or floor, let him know that this is prohibited. Poke his nose in a puddle and explain your rules in a loud voice. A loud intonation will help the puppy understand what he was wrong about.

Praise your puppy for every successful attempt to go to the toilet. Very soon, it will become a habit.

Keep your patience and perseverance by following these rules. A special spray will help speed up the process. Spray it on a diaper or newspaper.

The spray will attract the puppy with its specific smell. Other sprays, on the contrary, will scare the puppy away from certain places.

Taking Action

HUGE thanks to everyone who contributed to this post! 

If you are currently trying to potty train your puppy, please feel free to ask questions in the comment section below.

** I will continue to add experts to this list, if you would like to contribute to this post please feel free to email me at sael@simplyinsurance.com

EXPERT EDITOR & REVIEWER

Sa El

Licensed & Certified Insurance Agent

Sa El is the Founder of Simply Insurance and a licensed Insurance Agent with over 15 years of experience in the industry.  He specializes in Life & Health Insurance and is certified in Long Term Care Insurance in the state of Georgia. a licensed real estate agent in the state of Georgia (License #382602), an entrepreneur, insurance educator, and freelance writer.