Take your puppy out on a fixed schedule (after waking, eating, playing and every couple of hours), reward going outside immediately, supervise or crate between trips, and clean accidents with an enzyme cleaner so they are not drawn back to the spot.
The daily schedule
Young puppies have small bladders and need frequent trips. Take yours out first thing in the morning, after every meal, after naps, after play, and last thing at night, plus roughly every two hours in between while awake. A predictable rhythm teaches the body when to expect relief and speeds learning.
The checklist
Use a consistent outdoor spot so the scent cues your puppy. Reward the instant they finish going outside, not when they come back in. Supervise closely indoors or use a correctly sized crate, since most puppies avoid soiling their sleeping area. Watch for signs: circling, sniffing, sudden restlessness or heading to the door. Keep a diary of times to spot your puppy’s pattern. Clean every accident with an enzyme cleaner so lingering scent does not invite a repeat.
Common mistakes
Do not punish accidents; it teaches the puppy to hide rather than to hold. Do not reward late, the treat must connect to going outside. Do not give unsupervised free run of the house too early. Expect setbacks, and remember most puppies are reliably trained between four and six months, with full bladder control developing with age.
If your puppy was previously reliable and suddenly starts having frequent accidents, see your vet to rule out a urinary infection or other health cause.
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