House training a puppy
Ask your vet about your own pet. This page is general information from the sources below.
VCA Animal Hospitals says to start house training the day the puppy comes home. Take the puppy out on a leash after meals, after naps, and during play, and reward it right after it goes. The ASPCA says not to scold accidents, and VCA says never to punish a puppy.
Checked October 29, 2026.
When to go out
VCA lists times to take a puppy out: after meals or a big drink, right after waking from a nap, every 30 minutes during energetic play, and every 1 to 2 hours while awake. It also says every 4 hours even when resting, and overnight until about 5 months old.
The ASPCA says to watch for sniffing, circling, or walking with stiff back legs. Those signs mean go outside right now.
How to do a potty trip
VCA says go out with the puppy on a leash and stay with it. Wait about 5 minutes. If nothing happens, go back inside and keep a close eye on the puppy.
Give a treat or praise right after the puppy goes, while still outside. Play comes after the potty is done. Later you can add a word like 'go potty'.
Keep watch
The ASPCA says to limit a puppy to one or two rooms where you can always see it, then give more space slowly.
VCA says puppies need to be watched or safely closed in at all times. It suggests more freedom after about 8 to 12 weeks without accidents.
When accidents happen
The ASPCA says scolding a puppy for an old accident teaches nothing, and rubbing a nose in it can make the puppy afraid and hide accidents. VCA says to clean up calmly with an enzyme cleaner so the smell does not draw the puppy back.
The ASPCA also says there is no schedule that works for every dog, so be patient.
When to call the vet
VCA says to call your vet if a puppy or dog that was house trained starts soiling the house again, since the cause could be medical or behavioral. ASPCA says the same for a dog that suddenly has accidents. Peeing from excitement or fear is not a training problem, and a behavior professional can help.
For the children
Ages 4-6: Stand with a grown-up at the door and cheer softly when the puppy goes in the right spot. Ages 7-10: Help keep a potty chart of the times the puppy went out, and hand the grown-up the treat to give right after.
"Accidents are not the puppy being bad, they are the puppy still learning, so we just clean up and try again."
This is general information from the sources below, not veterinary advice, and it doesn’t replace a trainer or a behaviorist who can see your puppy.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals: House Training for Puppies and Dogs (checked October 29, 2026)
- ASPCA: House Training Your Dog or Puppy (checked October 29, 2026)