Are you a new dog mom or dog dad wondering how long it will take for your puppy to finally be housebroken? Then learn everything you need to know here!
How long does it take for a puppy to be housebroken?
When your puppy moves in with you, he will be 8-12 weeks old on average. At this age, the digestive system is not yet fully developed. The bladder is small and untrained and the puppy cannot hold feces and urine for a long time yet.
The first few weeks after adoption are also very exciting for a puppy: separation from mom and siblings, a new environment, a new family, and lots of new rules – with so much excitement, it’s even harder for puppies to control their bladders.
Until he is three months old, i.e. until the end of the 12th week, your puppy must therefore go outside at least every 1.5 – 2 hours in order to be able to detach himself. Normally, dogs do not manage to control their bowels and bladder consciously until they are about 4 months old.
If your dog has moved in with you at 8 weeks old, be prepared that it will take several months before he is completely housebroken.
So getting a puppy housebroken takes quite a while… Still, we hear stories all the time of puppies who seem to have been housebroken IMMEDIATELY after adoption and have never had a mishap happen to them. Sure, dogs like this exist – but we’ll be honest with you: they’re a rare exception.
Remember that puppies are really like human babies. Body and mind still need to develop. As they get older, they learn to control their bowels and bladder and to take notice if they ever need to go outside.
Also, every puppy is different – some may need more time and support, and it may take longer to housebreak them. By the way, your dog’s size, age, and breed can also have an impact on how long it takes!
Younger dogs have smaller bladders and smaller breeds have a faster metabolism, so they need to go more often. Be patient and take time to work on this with your puppy and you will find a routine that works for you!
How often does my puppy need to go out?
As mentioned above, every puppy is different. The following times are guidelines that you should adapt to your puppy’s needs:
- Under three months every 1.5 – 2 hours
- Every 2 hours between the third and fourth month
- Every 4 hours between the fifth and sixth month
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How do I get my puppy house trained?
That sounds now for the time being after many strenuous weeks, until your small treasure has learned to solve itself outside. The good news is, it’s much easier to housebreak puppies than many think. Dogs are naturally very clean when it comes to their home and therefore learn quickly where they are allowed to go.
We have written down 7 methods for you to get your puppy housebroken! Read now>>
If you want to support your puppy additionally a little bit, the ADAPTIL Junior collar is exactly the right thing for you! ADAPTIL Junior makes puppies feel safe and secure in all situations. Through his "reassuring messages it will also help your puppy to focus better on your toilet training!