Do you work full time and worry you may not have time to potty train your puppy? If so, you’re not alone. The good news is, potty training your puppy is more than doable and can be done even if you’re away from home all day! All it takes is some planning ahead, solid routines and some outside help. Read on to discover some practical tips on how to potty train your puppy when you’re away at work.
Potty Training a Puppy While Working Full Time
Potty training your puppy is one of the best things you can do for a happy co-existence with your pet. Puppies do not know how to control their bladder and bowel for more than four hours at a time.
Naturally, they need some training and quality care. Don’t worry, though — the fact that you work full time may actually help your puppy get in a more regular schedule. Here are four tips to help you successfully potty train your puppy.
1. Use Crates and Puppy Pads
Crating is crucial when trying to potty train a puppy and work full time. If you give your puppy full reign of the house when you’re gone, they will relieve themselves wherever possible. Using a proper size crate is also essential. If the crate is too large, your puppy may think they have space to both sleep and relieve themselves. Puppy pads work great for giving dogs the option of relieving themselves in the proper spot indoors.
2. Create a Space
While a five-month-old puppy can be crated for four to six hours at most, a four-month-old should not be created for more than three hours. As a general rule, all dogs should not be crated for more than nine hours.
If you cannot get home in time to let your puppy out of their crate at the appropriate time, try putting together a gated area for your puppy. Make sure your space cannot be ruined by accidents and is easy to clean, such as tile. Cover the surface with layers of puppy pads or newspaper, and don’t forget to include a puppy bed in the corner!
3. Ask for Help
While crating is essential to potty training your puppy, it’s not ideal to leave them in a crate the entire time you’re at work. Consider hiring a dog sitter or running home on break if you work close to home to let your pup out. Use the proper commands to help your dog know it’s time to do their business. Once they do what you asked, provide them with a treat and walk them back to their crate.
4. Set a Schedule
With a potty schedule, your puppy will catch on to the fact that they can go to the bathroom after they eat and wake up, as well as before they go to bed each night.
Ask Golden Meadows Retrievers All Your Puppy Training Questions
As a top golden retriever and vizsla breeder in California, Golden Meadows Retrievers has been breeding top-quality golden retriever puppies for more than 25 years. We’re an American Kennel Club, or AKC, Breeder of Merit and go to the best of the best — Debbie Cohen — for the OFA exams.
Are you ready to help one of our puppies find a happy home? Contact us today for more information about our matching process and training specializations.