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Puppy potty training schedule by age

House training is a schedule, not a lesson. Take your puppy out before they need to ask, reward in the right spot, and accidents fade on their own.

  1. Go out at the five fixed moments

    After waking, after eating, after playing, before bed, and whenever they start sniffing in circles.

  2. Use the clock in between

    At 8 weeks every 45 to 60 minutes while awake; at 12 weeks every 1 to 2 hours; at 16 weeks every 2 to 3 hours.

  3. Same spot, same quiet words

    Stand still and wait. Play comes after, as the reward.

  4. Reward within two seconds

    Praise and a treat right there, outside, not back at the door.

  5. Accident indoors: clean up and move on

    Use an enzyme cleaner. Never scold or rub a nose in it; it teaches your puppy to hide, not to wait.

By breed group. Toy breeds have small bladders and need shorter gaps for longer. Sighthounds dislike cold and rain: pick a sheltered spot.

A sudden return of accidents, or very frequent small wees, can be medical. Ask your vet.

Sitspark's potty log tells you when the next outing is due and can remind you. The first class and the first lesson of every class are free, with no account.

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