09/05/2026
The biggest mistake in puppy toilet training is expecting reliability before the routine is reliable. Owners often feel their puppy is "not getting it", when really the puppy has not had enough well-timed chances to get it right.
Successful puppy house training starts with building your day around your puppy's needs. That means taking them out regularly, not waiting until they ask in a way you might miss. Most puppies need a toilet trip after waking up, after eating, after drinking, after play and before settling down again. If that sounds frequent, it is. Early on, toilet training is less about commands and more about management.
Choose one toilet area and stick with it. Go to the same patch, stand quietly, give your puppy time and then reward as soon as they finish. Keep it simple. This is not the moment for a garden tour or a game of chase. The more predictable the setup, the faster your puppy learns why they are there.
And just to say it plainly: your puppy is not trying to catch you out. They are not being dominant, manipulative or lazy. If accidents keep happening, look at the timetable. More supervision, more timely trips outside and better management between outings will fix the vast majority of problems.
For the next few days, stop expecting your puppy to remember and start planning as though it is your job to remind them every time. Because at this stage, it is.
Need help with your puppy? For practical advice and support from our ABTC-accredited instructors at our Royal Kennel Club listed status training venue, head to https://kemblesfield.co.uk/collections/dog-training