The Ultimate Guide to Toilet Training Your Puppy (or Adult Dog!)

Let’s be real—no one likes surprise puddles or unexpected "presents" on the floor. Whether you’ve got a brand-new puppy or an adult dog who needs a refresher, toilet training (or retraining) is all about consistency, patience, and a little strategy.

The good news? You’re not alone, and with the right approach, your dog will be toileting like a superstar in no time!

1. The Sneaky Puppy Problem: Why a Leash is Your Secret Weapon 🎭

Puppies are masters of distraction. You take them outside, they sniff, they play, they get mesmerized by a leaf… and then they come back inside and immediately pee on your carpet. Sound familiar?

Here’s the trick: Use a leash. Keeping your puppy on a leash outside helps them stay focused on the task at hand (instead of chasing bugs). It also stops them from wandering around aimlessly and forgetting why they came outside in the first place!

Bonus Tip: A leash can also be useful indoors to stop your puppy from sneaking off to find a "private bathroom spot" behind the couch.

2. Put Toileting on Cue 🎤

Want to make toilet trips quick and easy? Teach your dog to go on cue! This way, when you take them outside, they’ll know exactly what you expect.

Here’s how to do it:
🔹 The moment your puppy starts squatting to pee, say your cue word—something like “Go toilet” or “Hurry up.”
🔹 Repeat this every time they go.
🔹 After a few days, they’ll start connecting the cue with the action.
🔹 Eventually, you can say the cue first, and they’ll know it’s time to go!

This trick saves so much time (especially on cold, rainy mornings!).

3. Stick to a Routine ⏰

Dogs thrive on consistency. If you take them out at the right times, they’ll start learning when and where they’re supposed to go.

🐾 First thing in the morning
🐾 After eating or drinking
🐾 After playtime
🐾 After naps
🐾 Before bedtime

For puppies, taking them out every 1–2 hours at first is best. For adult dogs, a regular schedule still helps with retraining!

4. Supervise & Stop Sneaky Accidents 🕵️‍♂️

A lot of accidents happen because puppies (or sneaky adult dogs) wander off unnoticed. If your pup is out of sight, they’re up to something!

🔹 Keep an eye on them—especially after meals.
🔹 Use baby gates or keep them on a leash indoors so they don’t sneak off.
🔹 Watch for signs like sniffing, circling, or looking restless—these mean it’s time to go outside, fast!

5. Reward Good Toileting Habits 🎉

Dogs love rewards, and toilet training is no exception! 

✅ When your pup goes in the right place, praise them like they just won an Olympic gold medal!
✅ Offer a small treat right after they finish.
✅ Give a happy “Good dog!” and a little playtime as a bonus.

When they see that toileting outside = awesome things happen, they’ll be excited to do it right!

6. Clean Accidents Properly (Or They’ll Keep Happening!) 🧼

Even with the best training, accidents will happen. But if you don’t clean them properly, your pup will keep returning to the same spot!

🚫 Don’t use ammonia-based cleaners—they smell like urine and encourage repeat accidents.
✅ Use an enzyme-based cleaner—this breaks down the smell completely so your pup isn’t tempted to go there again.
❌ Never punish your puppy—we can feel really frustrated when our puppies pee inside, but it's our own fault for giving them the opportunity.

The Big Takeaway: Get Help Before Bad Habits Start! 🆘

Toilet training can feel frustrating, but trust us—it’s so much easier when you tackle it before bad habits set in. If you’re struggling, don’t wait for things to get worse!

Our Dog Star Puppy Program is designed to help you with:

✅ 4 private lessons for one-on-one guidance
✅ A fun graduation café session so your pup learns to behave in public
✅ Lifetime access to our online training for extra support when you need it

🐶 Don't let little accidents turn into big problems—message us today and let’s get your puppy on the right track!