Need to potty train a puppy? It doesn’t have to be so hard. Make the whole process easier, more predictable, and get faster results by using a specific puppy schedule and utilizing a written tracker. While training puppies over the years, we’ve learned many tips and tricks. I’m excited to share two of the best tools we’ve discovered to potty training a puppy: schedules and trackers!
How I Learned How to Potty Train a Puppy
It wasn’t until our 7th child was born that I happened upon the concept of sleep training babies. I took a course on baby sleep and it totally changed our world! I felt like shouting it from the rooftops!
Here I was with our 7th baby for heavens sakes…SEVENTH…and I had never heard of this course before.
That’s when it dawned on me that I may have something similar to share…except with crate and potty training puppies.
This is me shouting from the rooftops “Potty and crate train your puppy! Here’s how!”
My husband and I are dog trainers by profession. We have had over a hundred dogs we were training spend weeks at a time living in our home. Many of those dogs have been young puppies. We learned pretty quickly (out of desperation) how to potty train a puppy. Crate and potty training are the #1 things we work on with puppies, because if that’s not working all other training will be thrwarted.
We learned through shere exposure and lots of trial and error. Many of the potty and crate training techniques we learned are just second nature to us now.
But if I had 7 babies and at that point had never been told the magic path to a solid night’s sleep with a baby, I figured there must be many, many puppy owners feeling the same about training their puppy. You just don’t know what you don’t know, you know? (Read that sentence again. I’m fairly certain it works.)
I want people to know the crate and potty training secrets. They are just little things, but are going to make your life better (today and in the long run). So let’s jump in on two of the big secrets: puppy schedules and trackers!
How to Potty Train a Puppy with Puppy Schedules and Written Trackers
What Is a Puppy Schedule?
A puppy schedule is a basic outline of your puppy’s day…when you’ll do what. Your schedule doesn’t have to be eleborate. Simple is best! Planning out every minute of the day would be overwhelming and unsustainable. Instead, just plan out some major touchpoints and a general time you’ll do them.
What Is a Written Tracker?
A written tracker used when crate and potty training a puppy is simply a paper where you write down what has happened throughout your day and when.
Using a written tracker to note things as they happen throughout the day is super helpful. This may sound like overkill, but believe me it’s worth it. You’ll have real live data to base your decisions on and will be able to make fast progress.
To use a sports analogy, a schedule is like your game plan going into the game and a written tracker is like watching film after the game to understand exactly what happened and how to improve.
Why a Schedule and Written Tracker Helps to Potty Train a Puppy
To learn your puppy’s potty rhythm
Puppies have their own unique “potty rhythm”. As one example, some puppies need to potty 30 minutes after they eat, some its 5 minutes. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn from just taking a few seconds to jot things down. It makes the situation more clear and less of what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-this-puppy?! If you write down when your puppy goes potty, before long you’ll understand your puppy’s “potty rhythm”.
To avoid having an overstimulated or tired puppy
Remember your puppy is young and needs rest and quiet down time. Unwanted behaviors often present themselves more when a puppy is overstimulated or tired. Overstimulation leads to nipping, chewing, and wild behavior that feels uncontrollable. Keeping a schedule will ensure your puppy has the downtime they need.
To keep the family all on the same page
Having a quick and simple way to write down things like the last time your puppy pottied or what time you put them in the crate can keep your whole family on the same page. Especially with multiple family members, it can be hard to keep a schedule or know when certain things need done. That is, unless it’s written down!
To lessen your frustration and give you power
Keeping a schedule when your puppy is young is important for you too. When you keep track of your puppy’s daily life, something like having a potty accident isn’t so frustrating. You can easily look over the events of the day, make an educated guess on what may have caused the problem, and make a proactive plan of how to move forward. Knowledge is power.
What to Have on a Puppy Schedule
For potty training, schedules are game changers (is that another sports analogy?)!
Things to have on the schedule: general time of waking up and first potty break, mealtimes, daytime potty breaks, when to be done with food and water, crate/rest time during the day, and bedtime at night.
If planning in playtime, remember that with puppies it’s best to keep playtime sessions short. 5-10 minutes tends to be plenty for puppy playtime.
And above all, remember to plan in lots of rest (preferrably in the crate). Your puppy needs it! And so will you!
What to Track When Potty and Crate Training a Puppy
Put a pencil and paper near your puppy’s crate and you’re ready to go. This won’t be necessary forever. Just as you’re working to crate and potty train a puppy.
Things to take note of on your tracker: what time your puppy went in or out of the crate, potty breaks and whether your puppy peed or pooped, meal times and amounts, if your puppy had a drink, and any potty accidents.
Want a Schedule and Tracker that is Already Made for You?
We created a schedule and 14 days of trackers for you, as part of our 14-day Crate and Potty Training Course. The trackers are just print and go! You’ll even have a daily inspirational quote to keep your spirits up! You’ll know exactly where to note potty breaks, accidents, crate time, behaviors, food, treats, water and training.
Just jot things down on the chart when they happen. It will only take a few seconds and give you big results!
How to Train a Puppy to Sleep Through the Night?
Potty Training is hard- Here are 11 Potty Training Secrets, on us!
Every puppy needs to be potty trained. And the sooner the better! We have met so many dog owners who have been dealing with almost-daily potty accidents for YEARS! We don’t want that to be you. All you need is to stay consistent with a few simple things. We want to share our secrets with you. Here you go!
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