Potty training a puppy is much like toilet training a small child. You will get more out of praise and rewards than spankings and verbal outbursts. Remembering the similarities between toddlers and puppies will give you an advantage when attempting to train your new pet. Individuals who have been around small children realize the correlations and can act accordingly to make the training process smooth and productive.

Accept your puppy’s limitations. A small puppy’s bladder will only hold small amounts of urine before having to void, unlike larger adult dogs who can hold it for hours while your at work or gone for the day. Taking a puppy outside or to the training pad every two hours will encourage them to return there when they have to urinate. Puppies normally will have to use the bathroom right after eating as well.

Clean up messes immediately and thoroughly. According to the University of Tennessee Knoxville, a puppy will return to an area where he has urinated before when he has to use the bathroom. If he has gone where he shouldn’t, thoroughly cleaning up the mess will help to prevent them from returning. It helps to designate a spot outside where they will be able to go each time you take them out.

Be patient and reward good behavior. Like children, a puppy will perform better if they receive praise and rewards. Yelling and spanking instill fear, but normally do not reinforce the concept they have done something wrong. Instead, reward what is good and they will continue to try and please you by repeating the act over and over again. Continually spanking a puppy or raising your voice can actually slow the process of potty training causing more accidents.

Limit what the puppy can do. Just like a toddler, a puppy will get into anything and everything. If a puppy can reach it, he will snag it leaving you to enter his game of catch me if you can. Limiting where a puppy can go and what they can get into is in its best interest. It will also reduce the areas of your home that will be exposed to accidents and puppy puddles. Kennel puppies when you are away so they can’t wreak havoc on their surroundings. After awhile, the puppy will associate its kennel with a safe haven and will go there when they are tired or need some time away from others.