Your puppy isn’t being “stubborn” - they’re being managed inconsistently. I always say potty training is routine training. Most potty problems come down to two things: too much freedom too soon, and rewards that happen too late. If you want puppy potty training to stick, you’re not looking for a magic trick. You’re building a routine your puppy can predict and you can actually follow on busy weekdays. Puppy potty training starts with control, not luck A puppy who’s loose in the house is a puppy who will practice accidents. That practice becomes a habit fast. Use a crate, a pen, or a leash attached to you when you can’t actively supervise . That’s not “being mean.” That’s preventing rehearsals of the behavior you don’t want. If your puppy can’t sneak off to pee behind the couch, you’re already winning. The schedule is your best training tool You don’t need a complicated plan. You need a boring, repeatable rhythm . Take your puppy out right after waking up, after eating or drinking, after play, and after any exciting moment (guests, kids running around, the doorbell). Young puppies also need regular trips out during the day because their bodies can’t hold it long - and expecting them to is how owners get frustrated. If your puppy pees outside, praise and pay them immediately. Not when you get back inside. Not after you take a photo. The reward has to land at the right second. What to do when accidents happen indoors If you catch them mid-accident, interrupt calmly (a quick “ah-ah” is enough) and hustle them outside to finish. Then reward if they go out there. If you find it after the fact, don’t scold. You’re late. All you’ll teach is “humans are scary when they find pee.” Clean it thoroughly and tighten your supervision plan. Common setbacks (and what they really mean) If your puppy is having “random” accidents, it usually means one of three things: you stretched time between potty trips too quickly, your puppy had too much freedom, or you’re not rewarding the outdoor potty moment consistently. If the problem shows up when guests come over, that’s excitement plus weak routines. The same dogs who struggle with potty training often struggle with impulse control in other situations too - like launching at visitors. If that sounds familiar, see our guide to Stop Your Dog From Jumping on Guests . If you want a coach-led plan that holds you accountable and gets faster results, Echo Dogs Training can help you build household routines that work in real life. Your puppy can absolutely learn this - but only if your consistency is more reliable than their bladder.
