Week 3: Toilet Training & Setting Boundaries

Toilet training is one of the biggest challenges for new puppy owners, but with consistency and patience, your puppy will learn quickly. This week, we’ll focus on establishing a toilet routine, preventing accidents, understanding crate training benefits, and introducing alone time.

Puppy Week 3

Establishing a Consistent Toilet Routine

A structured routine is key to toilet training success. Puppies have small bladders and need frequent toilet breaks. Here’s a simple schedule to follow:

🐾 Take Your Puppy Out At Key Times:

✅ First thing in the morning

✅ After eating or drinking

✅ After naps

✅ After playtime

✅ Before bed

🐾 How to Encourage Good Habits:

• Take them to the same spot each time so they associate the area with toileting.

• Use a cue like “go wee” as they go, so they learn to toilet on command.

• Reward them immediately with praise and a treat when they get it right.

📝 Tip: Stay outside with your puppy until they go—otherwise, they may get distracted and have an accident indoors.

Preventing Accidents & Managing Setbacks

Accidents will happen! Puppies don’t gain full bladder control until around 4-6 months old. Here’s how to handle accidents the right way:

🚫 What Not to Do:

• Never punish your puppy for an accident—it will only make them fearful.

• Avoid rubbing their nose in it or shouting—this doesn’t help them learn.

✔ What to Do Instead:

• Clean accidents with an enzyme-based cleaner to remove odours and prevent re-marking.

• Interrupt gently if you catch them mid-wee—say “oops” and take them outside quickly.

• Increase supervision—if accidents are frequent, your puppy may have too much freedom too soon.

📝 Tip: Keep a close eye on your puppy—if they start sniffing, circling, or whining, take them outside straight away.

Crate Training Benefits

Crate training, when done correctly, is a fantastic tool for toilet training, setting boundaries, and providing a safe space for your puppy.

🛏 Why Use a Crate?

✔ Encourages bladder control (puppies naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area).

✔ Prevents destructive behaviour when unsupervised.

✔ Helps puppies settle and feel secure.

🐶 How to Introduce the Crate Positively:

• Keep the door open and let your puppy explore it voluntarily.

• Feed meals inside the crate to create a positive association.

• Use comfy bedding and safe chew toys to make it inviting.

• Never use the crate as punishment—it should be a happy, safe space.

📝 Tip: Start with short crate sessions while you’re at home. Gradually increase time so your puppy builds confidence being alone.

Introducing Alone Time

Puppies need to learn how to be alone to prevent separation anxiety. Start with short, positive sessions:

🚪 Step 1: Leave the room for a few seconds, return, and reward calm behaviour.

⏳ Step 2: Gradually extend the time, ensuring your puppy remains relaxed.

🎵 Step 3: Use calming background noise like a radio or TV to make the environment feel familiar.

🐾 Additional Tips:

• Avoid making a big fuss when leaving or returning—keep arrivals and departures low-key.

• Use a special treat or long-lasting chew to create positive alone-time experiences.

• If your puppy struggles, go back a step and increase separation gradually.

  
  

📝 Tip: Practise short absences daily—even if you work from home—to build independence.

What’s Next?

This week, you’ve built the foundation for toilet training, crate training, and alone time. In Week 4, we’ll focus on socialisation and exposure—introducing your puppy to new experiences the right way!