Angel and Rockie

I have many people to comment that their puppies potty train pretty quickly after they arrive. Puppies usually catch on pretty fast. However, here are a few tips to help make the challenge of potty training a little easier:

Persistence and consistency are very important.

Offer rewards and encouragement when the puppy does good instead of punishment for accidents

Use a command such as “Go potty!” and give lots of praise when he/she does his/her deed

Offer potty time frequently until a routine is established

Offer potty breaks anytime the puppy wakes from a nap, has just eaten or drank or has been confined for a long period of time—any movement stimulates things

Do not let the puppy have full reign of the house for long periods until fully potty trained

From the time they are born and begin to walk, the puppies are trained to newspapers in their playpen—separated from their bed. They are trained to potty outside as well.

Poms usually adapt to a variety of methods including potty pads indoors and going outside and possibly even litter box training. I always mention how an individual from VT trained her little girl to go potty in the bathtub of a morning during the frigid weather—and this worked well for both of them. She even had little steps leading up to the bathtub and all. :)

Also, I have heard of some individuals being inventive and placing a little bell at the bottom of their door. They will ring the bell every time the puppy goes out to potty and eventually the puppy will learn to associate that with potty time and ring it when he/she needs to go.

If a puppy soils an area, it is critical to clean it thoroughly—so the smell does not linger and attract the puppy back to the spot. Vinegar, baking soda and soap are helpful to clean the spot and take away odors.

If you are intimidated about messes on the floor, another option is the fabric pet diapers or even just baby diapers for females. For males I simply take an oversized sock (like men’s wool socks) and wrap snuggly around their lower belly with a safety pen. You do not want to become dependent on this--where the puppy thinks it's ok to potty in the house--but this would offer you some protection in between potty breaks.

Potty training a puppy is very similar to potty training a child. It just takes a little time, love, persistence, and patience. :)