(This post is about setting up a schedule for when to take your new pet out)

Housetraining a puppy or dog doesn’t have to be difficult — if you are consistent, your pooch will pick it up eventually. This means you set a general schedule based on your dog’s needs/actions, and you stick to it day after day. In general, most dogs will want to potty at wake-up or so, several times throughout the day, and then a last potty before bedtime. Usually, small puppies (8 to 12 weeks) will need to go out every 2 hours or so until their bladders grow and they can hold more urine longer. By 16-20 weeks perhaps they can go 4 hours between outings, and they may last 6 hours overnight. By the time they are 1 year most dogs will need at least 4 outings a day — 1 after waking, 2 during the day, and 1 final walk before bedtime. Of course, many dogs would be happy with more!

Schedules are often patterned after events (waking up and moving) or feedings, so most dogs/puppies would go out shortly after waking, again after first meal, sometime during the afternoon, again in the evening, and a last walk before bedtime. For a puppy, there will be additional outdoor offerings every few hours. As puppies may get fed 3 or 4 times a day a potty break should be offered after each feeding event, and when the need for 4 feedings drops to 3, the extra potty break will be dropped, as well.

Some dogs (especially dogs over 10 months) will have specific actions they prefer before defecating. For some, they may need to run a bit or to have a walk of a certain length before they will go. For others, they may prefer a certain spot or texture or scent before they will feel the urge. Watch the dog the first few days to see if you can figure out its cue — then tailor your walks accordingly.

Dogs can be fairly predictable but you must be consistent with their potty times. They love having a routine, and by being consistent with a schedule makes housetraining much easier.

Happy Dogging!