If your puppy doesn't go when you're outside for a pee break, bring him in. Don't play with him or make a big deal about it; just take him back outside in 15 mins and try again until he decides to oblige! Otherwise, he will associate waiting by the door with you taking him outside for playtime.
Your puppy clearly did need to go potty, but he was likely too overstimulated outside. He feels safe and relaxed indoors, which triggers him to release his bladder. The key is to make sure his outdoor time is safe, structured, and a little bit boring.
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.
A puppy will typically be ready to train when they are between 12 to 16 weeks old. At this point, they have enough bladder control to be trained on when to go out. Warning: In an effort to avoid parvovirus, you'll want to make sure your puppies have been given all the necessary shots before letting them wander outside.
You're missing accidents.
This is the reason both confinement and active supervision are so important to the puppy potty training process. Every time you miss an accident, you've just extended the length of time it's going to take to potty train your dog.
Get them accustomed to wet paws.
The easiest option is to feed your dog treats or even their meals on wet grass (still in their bowl of course). The more positive experiences they have with wet paws, the less it will bother them — especially if you're putting in effort to clean and dry them afterward.
So, a 2-month-old puppy can theoretically hold her bladder for about three hours. 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!).
Lack of proper training or inconsistent training can lead to accidents in the house. Separation anxiety can cause a dog to feel distressed when left alone, leading to accidents. Territorial marking can also be a reason for dogs to poop inside the house.
If your dog won't pee or poop in the rain
I usually look for a small break in the rain and dash outside before it starts pouring again. One last trick, try making a “dry” area in your yard. An awning or rock garden can help create a nice potty space for your dog whenever it rains.
Punishment does not teach your dog (or cat) what to do instead of scratch furniture, bark, dig, etc. Squirting your dog with a water bottle may stop the behavior temporarily. However, this punishment teaches your dog to practice the undesired behavior when you and the water bottle are not present.
Four to six months may feel like a long time for a dog to learn to pee outside. What you have to understand is that, while puppies may begin to have control over the bladder at an earlier age, the bladder is not fully formed until about four to six months of age, so they can only hold it for so long.
House training your puppy is about consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement. The goal is to instill good habits and build a loving bond with your pet. It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year.
Repeat cue words like 'wee wees' and 'poo poos' or 'be busy' and 'be clean' while the puppy is actually urinating or defecating. Use different words for each action so that you will be able to prompt the puppy later on.
For instance, if your pet has been indoors all day, instead of playing with them when you first come home, immediately let them out in the yard or start the walk. Once they have urinated and defecated, give your dog praise and/or a treat to reinforce the purpose of being outside.
Your Puppy Isn't Emptying Their Bladder
Puppies are easily excitable and will want to pay attention to every stimulus when they leave the home. In addition, puppies don't always have full control over their bladders at a young age. Your puppy will develop improved control over their bladder as they age.
Consider taking your puppy out every two hours so they get the habit of doing their business outside. If they do it successfully, offer them a treat. If you find your puppy pooping or peeing somewhere else in the house, immediately take them outside instead of scolding. Give them a treat as a reward.
Don't hit or yell
Not so much negative reinforcement. A dog caught peeing in the house won't necessarily connect hitting or yelling with an intent to discourage them from doing that specific thing. In fact, you're more likely to just scare them, thus making them even more likely to eliminate in the house.
Show your dog what you (don't) want it to do
As your dog tries to get it, say “no,” and close your fist around the treat. Let your dog sniff and lick at your hand, but don't give it the treat. Once the dog stops trying and turns away, offer plenty of praise and provide a treat from your other hand.
Be consistent.
Correct bad dog behavior immediately and firmly every time it happens with a firm voice, a loud noise like a hand clap, or through redirection, like offering them a chew toy when they exhibit biting behavior. Don't forget to praise them for following your commands.
It's always a good idea to bring a couple of snacks and water along when going out with your dog. Although dogs can drink untreated water from a lake, from puddles in the street, or from rain, this is not recommended and can sometimes put their health at risk.