It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year. Size can be a predictor. For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips outside. Your puppy's previous living conditions are another predictor.
The short answer is: no. While it's usually harder to train an older dog than a puppy, it's never too late to train a dog — you just have to be willing to put in the time, patience and determination required to create boundaries, establish new habits and eliminate destructive behaviors.
Through no fault of their own, some pet dogs reach adulthood without being fully house trained. Fortunately, with time and patience, it is possible to establish new habits and teach your dog to stay clean in the house.
By 6 months old, the muscles that control the bladder are fully developed in most puppies. This means that accidents should be few and far between. While your puppy has the physical ability to control their bladder, their behavior and training skills may still be catching up.
Your Pup Still Doesn't Have Full Bladder Control
If your puppy will only pee inside the house, you need to remember that young pups don't have complete control over their bladder. Most puppies aren't able to hold it until they are about 4-6 months old, and this is the time most accidents happen.
Puppy Bladder Control Chart
In general, by the time your puppy is 4-6 months old, she should have full control of her bladder (which means you can finally start sleeping through the night again!).
Don't punish your puppy for eliminating in the house. If you find a soiled area, just clean it up. Rubbing your puppy's nose in it, taking them to the spot and scolding them or any other punishment will only make them afraid of you or afraid to eliminate in your presence. Punishment will do more harm than good.
It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year. Size can be a predictor. For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips outside. Your puppy's previous living conditions are another predictor.
Absent any medical condition or any other exigent circumstances most puppies should be fully potty trained between six (6) months and 18 months, with one (1) year being the average.
It's probably one of two common reasons. Either you didn't actually potty train your pup or you gave your puppy too much freedom too soon. New dog owners often expect their puppies to housetrain in an unreasonably short amount of time and with little effort.
This lapse in potty training can be caused by stress and anxiety, or might also happen because of missed potty breaks, and the dog has to "hold it" longer than they're used to. Change in schedule (humans go back to work, children go back to school, change in work schedule, etc.)
Like much of their body, a puppy's bladder isn't yet fully developed. Many puppies can only hold their urine for short periods. Frequent accidents could be the result of an overly full bladder, especially if your puppy doesn't yet recognize the importance of going potty in a designated spot or area.
Yes, an older dog can absolutely be potty trained. In fact, house training an adult dog can actually be easier than house training a puppy. This is because adult dogs are more likely more used to holding in their pee, so getting accumulated to a bathroom schedule may be easier for them.
Take her out first thing in the morning, after breakfast, after dinner, and a few times throughout the day and before bedtime. If she doesn't go, bring her back inside and immediately put her in her crate for 10 minutes before trying again. Do not let her loose indoors if she has not eliminated outside!
At 9 months old, the occasional accident is to be expected. They're still growing, so learning to recognize signals from their growing bowels is still kind of up in the air for them. Keep her on a strict regular routine for feeding, being let out, play time and walks, and she should grow out of that problem.
One of the biggest potty training fails is if you don't take your dog out at the same time each day, or pick up on their cues that they need to go quickly enough. You need to ensure your dog is given the chance to go after they have had a meal or drunk a large amount of water, after excessive playtime or after sleep.
In general, a dog should move their bowels at least once a day. Many will go two or three times a day on the regular, but if you're wondering how often do puppies poop, it's closer to five times a day.
Establish a routine
Take your dog out at the same times every day. For example, first thing in the morning when he wakes up, when you arrive home from work, and before you go to bed. Praise your dog lavishly every time he eliminates outdoors. You can even give him a treat.
Eliminate odors wherever your dog submissively urinates, especially if they aren't completely house-trained. Don't punish or scold them for submissive urination. This will only make the problem worse. If your dog is extremely fearful, ask your vet about medications that may help during the retraining process.
Something that is generally very effective is vinegar – dogs seem to hate the pungent, acrid smell of vinegar, and its application in a few strategic locations may do the job. Another popular – although sometimes controversial – option is cayenne pepper or strong chili powder.
Teach your pup to potty on a designated spot outdoors, making him think. After you bring home your new puppy the first thing you need to teach the pup is to walk to the door. Do not carry it.