How to House Train Your Puppy
Bringing home a puppy is exciting — but along with the cuddles and playtime comes one of the biggest early challenges: house training. The good news? With consistency, patience, and plenty of praise, your puppy will quickly learn where to go.
When to Take Your Puppy Outside
Puppies have tiny bladders and very little control at first, so they need frequent toilet breaks. As a rule of thumb, take your puppy outside at all of these key times:
As soon as they wake up (from a nap or in the morning)
After eating or drinking (about 20–30 minutes later)
After playing or getting excited
Before bedtime
Whenever they start sniffing, circling, or wandering off — classic signs they’re looking for a spot to go
The more chances your puppy gets to go in the right place, the faster they’ll learn!
Teach a Toilet Command
Choose a cue like “Go pee!” or “Toilet!” and say it every time your puppy starts to go. The best one I’ve heard an owner use so far is “piss time Larry!”- it really doesn’t matter what cue you choose as long as everyone in your household is consistent. Over time, they’ll learn to associate the words with the action — handy for rainy days or late-night trips!
When your puppy finishes, throw a “pee party”: praise them enthusiastically and give them a tasty treat. Keep a jam jar of treats in the garden so you’re always ready to reward good behaviour right away.
What to Do if There’s an Accident
Accidents are completely normal. If your puppy goes indoors, don’t scold or punish them — they’re not being naughty, just learning. Telling them off will only teach them to sneak away and hide next time.
Instead:
Quietly take them outside while you clean up.
Let them back in once you’re finished.
Act like nothing happened and carry on as normal.
Cleaning Up Properly
If your puppy pees or poos on the carpet, it’s essential to clean the area with an enzyme cleaner (available from most pet shops or online). These special cleaners break down the organic molecules in urine and faeces, completely removing the smell. Regular cleaning sprays just mask odours — if your puppy can still smell it, they’ll think it’s an approved toilet spot and keep going back!
Patience Pays Off
House training takes time, but every successful trip outside builds your puppy’s understanding. Celebrate the wins, stay calm through the setbacks, and keep your treats handy. Before long, your puppy will be confidently doing their business where they’re supposed to — and you’ll both be happier for it.
