Puppy potty training schedule
Potty training comes down to structure: the same spot, the same command, the same routine, and a reward the second they finish. Here is the core of the system from Robert's Complete Field Manual.
- By
- Robert LaPerriere Jr.
- Source
- Viking Prairie K9 field manuals
The daily schedule
Control the water. Do not free-feed the water, so you can track when your puppy drinks.
- 01Take your puppy out immediately after drinking
- 02Take them out again 20 minutes after coming inside
- 03Then every hour on the hour, five times
- 04Also after play and after eating
- 05At night: no water five hours before bed, and a last potty break right before the crate
The morning routine
Start the day with structure, not chaos.
- 01Go straight to the crate, with no excitement and no talking
- 02Pick your puppy up gently so they do not walk out and have an accident
- 03Carry them to the exact same potty spot and stay still
- 04Give one clear command, the same phrase every time, said once
- 05Wait two to five minutes, quiet and still
- 06Mark the behavior as they start going, then reward immediately when they finish
- 07Earned freedom: a short walk or light exploration, potty first and freedom after
If they don't go, or an accident happens
If your puppy does not go, bring them back inside and put them in the crate for ten to fifteen minutes, then take them out and repeat. No free roaming until they go.
If an accident happens, interrupt calmly, redirect outside immediately, and give big praise when they do it in the right place.
Four rules that never change
- 01Same spot every time
- 02Same command every time
- 03Same routine every time
- 04Reward immediately every time
Questions
Common questions about this method.
The schedule is built around the moments puppies need to go: after drinking, after play, and after eating, plus regular intervals in between. Frequent trips keep accidents from becoming habits.
Letting a puppy walk out of the crate is a common way accidents happen before you reach the potty spot. Carrying them prevents that and keeps the routine consistent.
Any phrase you like, such as "go potty", as long as you pick one and never change it. Say it once, calm and firm, before they go.
Want the full system?
This guide covers the core. Viking Prairie K9 Complete Field Manual goes further. The Complete Field Manual covers the full potty system, crate training, the umbilical cord method, and everything else in the puppy-to-adult system.
Prefer hands-on help? Robert trains dogs in person, by video, and through Board & Train.
General education only, not veterinary or individualized behavior advice. Every dog is different and results vary. If your dog has bitten or shown aggression, work with a qualified professional first.
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