Puppy Problems: How to Toilet Train Your New Pup

Toilet training a puppy can be a bit of a messy business! At Estcourt Vets, our experienced veterinary nurses have helped countless new owners through the ups and downs. In this article, they’re sharing their tried-and-true tips to help set you and your pup up for success. With a little patience and consistency, you’ll be well on the way to a clean, confident companion. And if you need support, our friendly team in Devizes are always here to help.

Contact our practice to ask our veterinary nurses for more puppy advice and read through the advice below, before downloading our quick-guide to puppy toilet training.

Download our puppy tips for the whole family

Tips for a toilet-trained pup

Start good habits straight away

Establishing a routine early on in your puppy’s life will help them to thrive from an early age. This routine should include a feeding, bathroom and bedtime schedule, all of which will help them to understand what you are asking them to do. Plan to take your puppy outside to a designated toilet area first thing in the morning, after meals and before bed.

Estcourt Vets’ veterinary nurses recommend that you should decide on a specific spot outside where you want your puppy to go to the toilet. Using this spot consistently at the times mentioned above will help to reinforce the association.

You can also use puppy training pads to avoid indoor accidents. Place them in your puppy’s crate and by the back door but still encourage your pup to toilet outdoors

Be consistent with your language

Choosing a verbal cue such as “toilet” or “wee-wees” to consistently use every time you take your puppy to your chosen outside toilet area, will help them understand what is expected of them. Once they have been to the toilet, you should reward them. Using praise, affection or treats will positively reinforce what it is that you are asking them to do.

Be consistent and patient

Our veterinary nurses in Devizes advise that toilet training can often take several months to get right. Accidents do happen but there is no need to scold your puppy as they are still learning, plus, creating a negative association with toilet time will hinder your puppy’s progress. It is wise to invest in a good quality, pet safe, carpet cleaning solution though!  

Hang in there!

Our veterinary nurses at Estcourt Vets would like new or potential new owners to understand how much work is needed to keep your puppy safe and successfully toilet trained. It can be difficult but similarly to a baby, they need constant supervision in the beginning and restricted access to areas where they could hurt themselves. Why not try using a playpen to restrict access to areas of your garden where they may go to the toilet; it also allows you to keep them safe at the same time.

Toilet training, once it is established, makes a huge difference to your lifestyle moving forward. It allows your puppy to visit new houses, friends around Wiltshire, go on dog-friendly holidays – the opportunities are endless. Investing the time early on with your puppy will ensure success in the future.

Get the above tips in an easy-to-use downloadable PDF that you can print and stick on your fridge to remind your whole family what’s needed for success.

Plus, don’t hesitate to contact our veterinary nurses in Devizes who can advise further on all aspects of puppy healthcare, nutrition and training.

Download our puppy toilet training tips