The best preparation for potty training is crate training, so make sure to start with “Apple #1” first. We believe your dog’s training should start with crate training (Apple #1) and potty training (Apple #2). Once these two foundational trainings are secure, all other “apples” will come so much easier!

Prepare the crate

  • Dogs won’t usually pee/poop where they sleep. This is why having your dog sleep in a crate can help them control their pee/poop a little better when training.

  • Make sure that you start with a sleeping area only big enough to turn around in. This means using a very small crate, or using a divider to partition off a small portion of a larger crate for sleeping (most larger crates come with dividers).

Times to Take Your Dog Out to Go Potty

During potty training, it is very important to keep a strict schedule. The set routine will help your dog learn more quickly, and help you see their patterns more easily.

  • First thing in the morning. When you get up each morning, get in the habit of taking your dog out to go potty.

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Puppies usually potty train faster if you feed them three times per day (this can often be lessened as they get older). The last meal should happen at least three hours before you put your dog to bed. After you feed your dog each meal, put them in their crate, wait about 20 minutes, and then take them out to go potty/poop. If they don’t go, put them in their crate again, wait five minutes, and try again.

  • Bedtime. When you are ready to put them in their crate for the night, take them out to go potty.

  • When they whine. In the early stages of potty training, you’ll need to listen carefully day and night, and whenever your dog whines, you’ll need to take them out right away.

What to Do When It’s Time to Go Potty

  • When it’s time to go potty, put them on a leash, and walk them outside to where you would like them to go potty (don’t let them wander or play—keep the wait as boring as possible). When you get to the potty place, stop and say, “Go potty!”

  • If your dog doesn’t go potty, walk them back inside, put them back in their crate, wait five minutes, and try again. This not as a consequence—remember, dogs won’t usually pee/poop where they sleep. Repeat this every five minutes until they finally go.

  • Every time they go, when they are completely finished, say “Yes!” (the marker word) and give them a treat.

  • Then make sure to play with your dog for 10-15 minutes as a reward. After a couple successes, switch to saying, “Yes! Go potty!” (adding the command to the marker word). This associates the command with the desired behavior.

After First Couple Weeks

  • Follow this schedule closely for two weeks, and then, after each meal you can try waiting a little longer, and see if your dog will start to signal that they need to go. (whining, standing at the door, doing a potty dance).

  • As your dog matures, you will become familiar with your dog’s potty signals, and you will be able to ease up on this strict schedule.