Pawsitive Potty Training: A Hilarious Guide to Housetraining Your Puppy

Tiny Bladders, Big Problems: Puppies have bladders the size of a thimble, and water runs through them like they’re made of Swiss cheese. The same goes for solid matter. So, you need to give your puppy plenty of chances to do their business in the right spot.

The Age-Old Rule: A good rule of thumb is that puppies can hold their bladders for the number of hours equal to their age in months, up to about nine months. But remember, 10 to 12 hours is a long time for anyone to hold it! A 6-month-old pup can usually manage about 6 hours. But every puppy is unique, so adjust accordingly.

The Potty Parade: With very young puppies, expect to take them out:

• First thing in the morning

• Last thing at night

• After playing indoors

• Upon waking from a nap

• After chewing a toy or bone

• After eating

• After drinking

Yes, this means you’ll be running to the backyard or street a dozen times a day. If you work, consider bringing your pup to the office or hiring a dog walker. The sooner your puppy learns where to potty, the sooner you can close this messy chapter.

Observation and Supervision: Watch your puppy like a hawk. Some can hold it longer, while others need to go out every time they get excited. It’s like having a tiny, furry toddler with unpredictable potty habits.

Diet Control: Puppies have delicate digestive systems, so feed them high-quality puppy food in three small meals. Gigi is our 3 months old lhasa apso pup and she loves her kibble - NATURE'S PROTECTION SUPERIOR CARE White Dogs Junior All Breeds Grain Free Salmon dry dog food. Get it from here. Plus, you can get a 10% discount sitewide with my code LAURAFA10! If your puppy’s stools are consistently bulky, loose, and stinky, it might be time to switch foods or talk to your vet.

Praise, Don’t Punish: Scolding a puppy for soiling your rug is pointless and just makes you look crazy. And those old-school punishments like rubbing their nose in it? Bizarre and ineffective. Instead, praise your puppy like they just won a Nobel Prize every time they potty in the right spot. Cheer, clap, throw cookies—make it a big deal!

Accidents Happen: If your puppy has an accident, don’t make a fuss. Clean it up with an odor-killing cleaner to prevent repeat offenses. If you catch them in the act, rush them outside and praise them if they finish the job there.

Remember, housetraining is all about prevention and positive reinforcement. With a bit of humor and a lot of patience, you’ll have a housetrained puppy in no time. Good luck, and may the potty odds be ever in your favor! 🐾