Right off the bat, no one answer fits all when it comes to the potty training duration for pups. Typically, it is between four and six months, but this can vary quite a lot between pups. So you will just have to find out what your furry companion has in store for you.
But what factors can influence the duration of the training?
Factors That Influence How Long it Takes to Potty Train a Puppy
As a new dog parent, it is important to learn how long it takes to train a puppy. But when the timings are dynamic, it becomes equally important to know the factors determining this duration.
1. Your Experience
Arguably the most important determiner of how long you will spend potty training your pup is how much experience you have under your belt.
If you have had dogs before, you’ve probably already learned some tips and tricks to make this significantly more straightforward, consequently lessening the potty training time.
However, if this is your first time, the chances are that you will have to learn on the job and make mistakes occasionally. Naturally, this could extend how long you will need to potty train your new friend.
2. Level of consistency
Knowing what to do is great but being consistent with it is a whole other ball game. This is where most dog parents falter, either new or experienced.
Who can blame them? Toilet training a pup is indeed a lot of work; doing it for weeks on end without fail is nothing short of herculean.
But, as with everything else, keeping your eyes on the prize is vital. You have to remind yourself why you do this constantly. The realisation that successfully potty training your pup would make for a better quality of life for your furry friend and yourself is sure to keep you going.
Hang in there!
3. Medical Condition
Your dog could be living with a medical condition that hinders all potty training progress - one of the more common suspects is a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Pups living with UTIs frequently urinate, making it difficult to time the potty breaks or keep the potty training routine.
Symptoms of a UTI include but are not limited to the following:
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Strain and pain when urinating
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Licking of the genitals
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Dripping urine
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Blood in urine.
You should consult a veterinarian immediately if your pup shows any of the symptoms above.
4. Number of trainers
Puppies are usually very popular members of the family. Everybody wants to play with them, hold them, carry them, and even train them. And this can be a problem.
Different people could interpret the routine differently and might teach the pup how they believe it should be. The result is a confused pup not entirely sure what to do.
You might want to take steps back and decide what family members would be tasked with training while ensuring uniformity.
5. Available time
Another factor that could influence how much time you spend on potty training your pup is how many hours you are willing to invest in the training.
The more time you put in, the shorter the duration of the training, and vice versa.
6. Quality of routine
It is not enough to just have a routine. The routine must be practical and convenient for you and your furry friend. This allows you to get the most out of the time invested.
A thorough routine should factor in when your pup eats, adequate potty breaks, and enough exercise.
Tips to speed up toilet training for your pup
The following are some effective tips and tricks you can implement to speed up your pup's potty training.
1. Use a lead during potty time
The first tip is to use a lead when taking your pup to potty. A lead reduces its interactions with elements in its surroundings, significantly reducing distractions.
2. Encourage, not discourage
It’s not just about telling your pup to do this or that when they are out to do their business. It also involves nice words, a belly rub, and a treat when they do go to the bathroom in the correct place.
You should refrain from telling your pup off when they make a mess; this could undo all your hard work. Instead, just ignore any accidents, clean them up, and focus on praising your pet the next time they do well!
Dogs are different
At the end of the day, dogs are different. You must give yourself and your pup time to figure out what works for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment; with the right effort, you will have your pup potty trained in no time.