Training a puppy to pee outside is important for your peace of mind and the state of your house. It is rather like teaching a child to potty train; you have to be attentive and watch for signals and willing to spend a lot of time encouraging your puppy to pee outside even though not every time will be successful.
Puppies do not automatically understand the difference between inside and out so just because you take the puppy outside, they will not necessarily take the opportunity to pee.
One thing they will do naturally is want to keep their sleeping area clean. So, begin the process of training by setting up where they are going to sleep – in a small box or crate.
Take them outside just before you put them to down for a nap for to sleep at night, and when they wake up take them outside the first thing.
Stay outside until they have peed successfully, particularly if they are waking up from a long nap.
This may not always be convenient weather-wise, but it is important when training a puppy to pee outside. Make regular trips outside during the day when the puppy is awake, every hour or two.
The puppy will not have to pee every time, but when they do manage to pee praise them with lots of pats on the head, treats and verbal encouragement. Alternate the forms of reward so the puppy learns the behavior of peeing outside is good and not specifically associated with getting treats.
Keep the puppy on a long leash when you take then outside, enough they can explore an area of 10-15’ around you.
While training a puppy to pee outside, when the puppy is inside restrict the puppy to a small area of the house, perhaps only one room. Line the room with newspaper to absorb the pee, making it easier to clean – but this will also show you where they are marking, as puppies will prefer to go in a specific location.
Also try and not the times when they pee; this will help you adjust your time when you take them outside to those times just before they need to pee.
Water is good for them to always have available, but not food; food should only be given to them a meal time.
