When at work with a new puppy, create a safe, puppy-proofed area (crate or pen) with water, safe chew toys (like puzzle toys), and a potty area (pads) for short periods, but arrange for midday breaks via dog walkers, doggy daycare, or trusted friends/family to prevent separation anxiety and accidents, as puppies need frequent potty breaks and can't be left alone too long.
Crate and/or pen! Get them used to both and then get in a routine. I get up and take puppy out, feed, out again and playtime outside. Then into crate while I get ready for work, work for an hour. Out of crate, outside, play, outside, crate. Repeat all day.
Eight hours should always be the absolute maximum you leave your puppy home alone – and only once they are over six months old. However, if your pup is outside or has access to the yard for a bathroom break, they may be okay being left alone for eight hours from a younger age.
The 777 Puppy Rule (or Rule of 7s) is a guideline for puppy socialization, suggesting that by seven weeks old, a puppy should experience seven different Surfaces, seven different Sounds, seven different Objects, seven different People, seven different Locations, seven different Containers, and seven different Challenges, all in positive, short, and safe ways to build confidence and resilience. It helps prevent fear and reactivity by creating positive associations with novel experiences during the critical socialization window (around 4-16 weeks).
The 10-10-10 rule for puppy potty training is a specific routine: 10 minutes outside in the designated potty spot, staying 10 feet away from the house/play area, followed by 10 minutes of focused supervision indoors to prevent accidents before the next potty break, creating a consistent cycle for success. This method ensures the puppy has ample time to eliminate and minimizes mistakes by closely monitoring them afterward, reinforcing good habits consistently.
Both Miller and Warner agree that a general rule of thumb to follow when estimating how long your puppy can hold their pee is to add one hour for every month of age. Every puppy will be different, though, with factors like size, health, and temperament coming into play.
The 3-Day Potty Training method is an intensive, "cold turkey" approach where you dedicate a long weekend to staying home, keeping your child diaper-free (bottomless or in underwear) to heighten body awareness, and focusing solely on the toilet to teach them to recognize urges and use the potty quickly, requiring immense parental commitment, patience, and preparation for accidents. It involves lots of liquids to trigger the need to go, frequent potty trips (every 15 mins), and positive reinforcement, aiming for rapid results but often needing continued practice beyond the three days.
Red flag puppy behaviors signal serious issues beyond normal puppy antics, including aggression (growling, snapping, biting, lunging), extreme fear/anxiety (intense cowering, hiding, refusing treats, constant escape attempts, shutting down), resource guarding (guarding food/toys with aggression), and severe separation anxiety (destructive behavior when alone). Recognizing these early and seeking professional help from a trainer or vet is crucial, as these often stem from trauma or lack of socialization and won't just disappear with age.
The hardest months with a puppy often center around two key periods: 3-5 months (teething, regression, lack of impulse control) and 6-12 months (adolescence), when hormone surges bring boundary testing, stubbornness, and increased energy, making training and housebreaking challenging as they become "teenagers". Expect frustration with accidents, nipping, chewing, and defiance during these phases as their brains develop, requiring patience and consistent training.
The 3-second rule for puppies (and dogs) is a guideline for positive greetings and interactions, suggesting initial meetings or petting sessions last no more than three seconds before pausing, allowing the dog to choose to re-engage, which helps build confidence, reduce overstimulation, and prevent negative reactions like fear or aggression. It teaches dogs that social contact is on their terms, using short, controlled sniff-and-greet intervals (3 seconds), then disengaging, and repeating as needed, while also being used for petting to let dogs signal they want more.
Unlike the crate where you can't leave a young puppy for long periods; the puppy will be fine in the playpen and you can go out for longer periods. Just make sure your dog is ready before you leave for a long period so the puppy does not feel left alone form the start and associate that with the playpen itself.
Some lonely dog symptoms that are brought on by being home alone can include:
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
First, crate train your puppy, and second, arrange for regular toilet breaks at appropriate intervals. Before leaving for work, play with your pup and take them out for a potty break. When they go, give the usual praise and reward. Then pop your pup into the crate with a safe chew toy.
How To Potty Train a Puppy
Puppy difficulty at ages 3-4 months. Things start to ramp up by the time your puppy is 12-16 weeks or 3-4 months of age. This is a particularly challenging age for many owners for several reasons. First, your pup may still not be fully potty trained and you may start to be feeling frustrated!
Adult dog teeth start to grow in when your puppy is 12–16 weeks old, and your puppy's gums may be a bit sore during this time. Because of this, puppy biting tends to hit its peak when a pup is about 13 weeks old.
WHAT COMMANDS SHOULD I TEACH MY PUPPY FIRST?
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
Rage syndrome is a rare seizure disorder in dogs, characterized by explosive aggression. Rage syndrome. Other names. A22, episodic dyscontrol, stimulus-responsive psychomotor epilepsy, Mental lapse aggression syndrome. The Malinois was the first breed to have a specific genetic polymorphism linked to rage syndrome.
DO NOT
We also talk about the most common mistake you need to avoid, and the 3 C's of potty training: consistency, calm and commitment. We also share about our own potty training methods and adventures. Tips: Noisy automatic flushing in public restrooms can scare young children.
Can I leave the house when potty and toilet training? The short answer is: yes, of course you can! Learning to go at home is a big step, and an amazing achievement.
Dress your child in clothes that are easy for them to get on and off, so they can take the lead with using the potty. Some children learn best when they can be at home and naked from the waist down. Other children learn best when they are wearing loose-fitting trousers without pants.