Housetraining Your Puppy: What to Do When Accidents Happen
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting adventure—one filled with cuddles, playtime, and… the occasional mess on your floor. House training is one of the first big lessons your puppy needs to learn, and like all good lessons, it takes time, patience, and consistency. If you’re wondering what to do when your pup has an accident (and trust us, it will happen), here’s a breakdown of how to respond effectively—and what not to do.
Caught in the Act—at the Right Spot
If you catch your puppy going potty in the correct location, you’re doing something right! But don’t rush in too soon. Let your puppy fully finish their business before you jump in with praise. Once they’re done, shower them with cheerful words and immediately offer a treat—right there at the spot.
Why the timing matters: Puppies learn by association. If you wait until you’re back inside to hand out the treat, your puppy won’t link the reward to the act of eliminating in the right place. They’ll think they’re being praised for coming inside, not for doing their business outside.
✅ Outcome: High chance of success. This kind of positive reinforcement builds strong, clear habits.
Caught in the Act—at the Wrong Spot
So, you walk in and see your puppy squatting somewhere they shouldn’t. First off—don’t panic. Give a firm but calm interrupter like “Eh-eh!” or “No!” and scoop them up quickly to head outside. If they finish up in the right spot, follow up with your usual enthusiastic praise and a treat.
What NOT to do: Don’t yell. Don’t use your hands for punishment. Definitely don’t rub their nose in it. These outdated methods don’t teach your puppy where to go—they just make them afraid of you. Fear is never a productive training tool.
✅ Outcome: Still a great learning opportunity, especially if paired with consistent positive reinforcement when they get it right.
You Find a Mess… But Didn’t See It Happen
This one stings, especially when you step in it at 2 a.m. But here’s the tough truth: if you didn’t see your puppy make the mess, it’s too late to correct them. Reprimanding after the fact won’t help your puppy understand what went wrong. Dogs live in the moment, and they won’t connect your anger with something they did 5 or 10 minutes ago.
What to do instead: Clean it up thoroughly (enzymatic cleaners help eliminate lingering scent cues) and reflect on what led to the accident. Was your puppy unsupervised? Did they go too long without a potty break?
Tip: Until your pup is reliably trained, supervision is everything. If you can’t keep a close eye, use tools like crates or gated-off puppy-safe areas to manage their environment.
❌ Outcome: Poor. The puppy had too much freedom too soon. Supervision and routine are key.
Consistency is King
Puppies thrive on predictability. Feed them on a schedule. Take them out frequently—especially after eating, sleeping, or playing. Praise and reward them every single time they go in the right place. If you’re using indoor potty pads, stick with them. But if your goal is to have your dog go exclusively outside, avoid confusing your pup by using both.
❝If you only want your puppy to eliminate on grass, don’t also have pee pads in the house. This sends mixed signals.❞
Hands Off the Food Bowl
Let’s take a detour to address a common myth: that you need to mess with your puppy while they eat to show them who’s boss. Some say you should pet them while they eat or take their bowl away mid-meal to “teach respect.”
Let’s be clear: these actions do more harm than good.
Bothering your dog while they’re eating can cause them to feel anxious or defensive around food, and in some cases, it can even lead to food aggression. Puppies should learn that mealtime is safe and predictable. That builds trust—and trust is the foundation of every good relationship with your dog.
✅ What to do instead: Let your pup eat in peace. If you’re concerned about resource guarding down the road, work on teaching your puppy to trade objects and respond to cues like “leave it” using treats and positive training techniques—not intimidation.
Final Thoughts: It’s a Process
House training isn’t a one-and-done task—it’s a journey. Accidents will happen, and that’s okay. Each one is an opportunity to learn more about your puppy and fine-tune your approach. With consistent praise, timely rewards, proper supervision, and a healthy dose of patience, your pup will eventually get the hang of it.
And one day, you’ll look back at those early days and laugh—once the carpets are clean again, of course.
