01/06/2026
With our puppies soon approaching the time where they leave us and set off for their new adventures, one of the hardest things to keep up with is toilet training.
Most house training issues have very little to do with intelligence or defiance. More often, the real issue is too much freedom too soon. The moment a puppy comes home, many owners allow access to the entire house straight away. Every room becomes available before the dog has learned any boundaries. To us, it feels loving and welcoming. To a young dog, it’s overwhelming. They haven’t yet learned how to manage that much space, so naturally, they start making their own choices, including where they toilet.
Freedom should be earned gradually, not handed out all at once.
One of the biggest game changers is limiting space early on. If a puppy can’t reliably stay clean indoors, they shouldn’t be roaming the entire home unsupervised. Keep them nearby, use a lead indoors if needed, or set up a smaller contained area where success is easier. As they prove they can stay calm and accident free, slowly expand their access room by room.
Timing matters just as much. Dogs learn in the exact moment something happens. Praising them immediately for getting it right creates clarity. Discovering a mess later and reacting to it only creates confusion. By then, the lesson has already passed.
Routine is another piece people underestimate. Consistent meal times, regular toilet breaks, naps, play, and structure create predictability. And predictable routines build reliable habits.
Our puppies come puppy pad/grass mat trained, with the right encouragement and consistency they will succeed. We provide lifetime training support for all our puppies.