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It can be so frustrating when your puppy suddenly starts having accidents in the house after weeks or months of successful potty training. But don't worry, there are ways to deal with puppy potty training regression and get your house back to being accident-free.

In this post, we'll discuss house breaking regression and offer tips on how to overcome it. So keep reading if you're experiencing a potty training regression with your pup and want to put an end to it!

Contents of this article:

1. Go back to puppy potty training basics.

2. Go outside with your puppy at toilet time.

3. Using a crate to speed up potty training.

4. Watch for signs.

5. How to deal with puppy potty training accidents.

6. Rule out any medical reasons for puppy potty training regression.

7. Don't restrict your puppy's water intake.

8. Puppy potty training regression is perfectly normal.

Go back to puppy potty training basics.

First, make sure that you're providing plenty of opportunities for your pup to go outside to potty. This means taking them out frequently, especially after they've eaten or drunk anything.

Go back to basics, like when they were 8 weeks old. Take them out on a schedule; once every hour, as well as upon waking, after playing and after a meal.

Go outside with your puppy at toilet time.

If you shut them outside they may forget why they're out there and just want to come back in because they don't want to be separated from you. Walk around outside with them, but be as dull as you can.

Only once they've "performed" should you play with them while they're outside so that they associate going potty with good things happening afterwards.

Make sure you are rewarding your pup when they do go potty outside. This can be with treats, verbal praise or even just some extra attention and petting.

Using a crate to speed up potty training.

You may also want to consider using a dog crate or exercise pen to confine your pup when you can't watch them closely, as this will help prevent accidents indoors.

Dogs generally don't like to soil where they lay, so this can be helpful in keeping things clean until your pup is fully trained, and of course stops your carpets from becoming soiled, making any accidents easier to clean up.

Preventing your dog from rehearsing the unwanted behavior, as well as rewarding the desired behavior will help your puppy catch on quicker.

Watch for signs.

When they're not in the crate, watch them like a hawk for any signs that they need to go, such as sniffing around or circling. If your puppy starts looking around like they've lost something, this can often be a signal.

How to deal with puppy potty training accidents.

If you see them start to go in the house, make a loud noise (like clapping your hands) to startle them and then quickly take them outside.

If your pup does have an accident, be sure to clean it up thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent and discourage repeat accidents in that spot.

If your puppy has an accident in the house or if you catch them in the act, don't shout at them or punish them. This will only make them scared of you and confuse them about what they're supposed to do.

Instead, just take them outside, clean up the mess without any fuss and provide more opportunities for them to go outside.

Rule out any medical reasons for puppy potty training regression.

If your puppy is urinating more frequently or in different amounts than usual, this could be a sign of a medical problem and you should take them to the vet to rule out any underlying causes.

Urinary tract infections are common and can make it difficult for puppies to control their bladder, so it's important to get this checked out.

Don't restrict your puppy's water intake.

Don't be tempted to restrict access to water in order to reduce the number of toilet trips, as this can be dangerous for your pup and will likely just lead to more accidents indoors.

Your puppy needs access to fresh water at all times to stay healthy and happy.

Puppy potty training regression is perfectly normal.

Keep in mind that many puppies regress with their potty training and this can be pretty normal, especially around 4-6 months old, when puppies are going through a lot of changes.

Dealing with potty training regression can be frustrating, but by following these tips you should be able to help your pup get back on track in no time.

Finally, remain patient and consistent with your potty training regimen and don't give up - your pup will eventually get the hang of it!

Don't get discouraged if there are setbacks along the way, everyone has accidents sometimes!
Check out this related article to find out if your puppy is drinking enough water. Click here to find out whether puppy pads are a good idea.

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Puppy Potty Training Regression And How To Deal With It

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It can be so frustrating when your puppy suddenly starts having accidents in the house after weeks or months of successful potty training. But don't worry, there are ways to deal with puppy potty training regression and get your house back to being accident-free.

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Do Puppies Grow Out Of Resource Guarding? - Find Out HERE!

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Do puppies grow out of resource guarding? We’ll take a look at what causes resource guarding and what you can do to help your pup overcome it.

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How Old Does A Puppy Have To Be To Wear A Collar?

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How old does a puppy have to be to wear a collar? Get all your questions about puppies and collars answered here.

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How Much Water Should A Puppy Drink During Potty Training?

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Providing your puppy with water is an important part of their care, to keep them healthy and happy. But how much water should a puppy drink?

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Puppies are a handful - full of energy and curiosity. Eventually, every puppy becomes a calm, adult dog. So when do puppies calm down?

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If you are like most pet parents, you want your puppy to be house-trained as quickly as possible.

Puppy crate training is a great way to achieve this goal and can help your new family member learn the rules and limits of their world quickly.

Contents of this article:

1. Should I crate train my puppy? The pros and cons of crate training.

1. The pros of crate training.

2. The cons of crate training.

2. What type of crate?

3. Choosing the right size crate.

4. How to crate train your puppy.

Should I crate train my puppy? The pros and cons of crate training.

Many new puppy owners ask themselves if they should crate train their dog.

The answer to this question is not always black and white, as there are both pros and cons to crate training.

Crate training can be an extremely effective way to make the housetraining process easier, as well as keep your puppy out of trouble when you can't watch them.

However, if not done properly, crate training can also lead to behavioral problems.

In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of crate training your puppy, as well as provide step-by-step guide how to crate train your puppy.

The pros of crate training.

There are several reasons why crate training can be beneficial for your puppy.

Crate training can be an extremely effective way to house-train your pup.

Dogs do not like to soil their sleeping area, so by placing your puppy in their crate when you are unable to watch them, you can help train them learn not to pee or poop in the house.

Crate training can help prevent your puppy from getting into trouble when you're not able to watch them.

A crate provides a safe, contained space for your pup to relax in without having to worry about them chewing on furniture, wires or getting into other forms of mischief.

For resource guarding dogs, crating can help minimize possession aggression and in multi dog households, crating can help prevent altercations between dogs.

When used properly, the crate can become a place of refuge for your dog, where they know they can go to feel safe and secure and many dogs prefer to sleep in a crate.

In some cases, crates can be good for helping busy dogs find their off switch and calm down.

The cons of crate training.

While crate training has many benefits, it's important to note that there are also some potential drawbacks to using a crate.

One such downside is that if not done properly, crate training can lead to behavioral problems in puppies.

For example, if a puppy is left in their crate for too long or is made to feel anxious or scared in their crate, they may start to associate the crate with negative feelings and this could escalate into separation anxiety.

As a result, they may begin to avoid the crate altogether, leading to behavioral issues down the road.

Another downside to crate training is that it can be a bit of an inconvenience for some owners as they take up a lot of room.

If you plan to use your crate for travel, for example, you will need to purchase a larger size crate that can accommodate your dog's size when they are full grown.

What type of crate?

There are several different types of crates to choose from, but the most popular type is the wire crate.

Wire crates are collapsible, making them easy to store and transport, and they provide your puppy with plenty of ventilation and visibility.

Plastic crates are also a popular option, as they are tough and durable and can be easily cleaned. However, they are not as ventilated as wire crates.

Soft crates are made from fabric and are a good option for puppies who are still learning to like their crate, as they are less intimidating than wire crates.

Choosing the right size crate.

Whichever style crate you decide on, when purchasing a crate for your puppy, it's important to make sure you get the right size.

The crate should be big enough for your pup to stand up, turn around and lie down in comfortably.

If your puppy is still growing, you may want to purchase a crate that will accommodate them when they are full grown.

How to crate train your puppy.

Now that you know the pros and cons of crate training, let's take a look at how to crate train your puppy. The following steps will outline the basic process of crate training:

1. Start by placing the crate in a quiet, comfortable spot in your home. If possible, try to keep the crate close to where the family spends time so your puppy can get used to being around people and other animals.

2. Put a piece of vetbed, blanket or towel in the bottom of the crate to make it comfortable.

3. Sprinkle some of their favorite treats and leave some chew toys in there for your puppy to find if they venture inside. This will help make a positive association with the crate.

4. If your puppy goes into the crate give them lots of praise and throw a few more treats inside

5. Feed your puppy their meals in the crate.

6. Once your puppy is comfortable going into the crate, start closing the door for short periods of time (start with just a few seconds and work your way up).

7. Always make sure all your puppy's needs are met before leaving them in the crate - that they've had a potty trip, had a drink of water, have had some play time, and have something to calm them such as a chewie or a Kong toy stuffed with something tasty.

8. Once your puppy is comfortable staying in the crate with the door closed with a chew or a treat toy, practice leaving them in there whilst you go out of sight. Gradually increase the time they spend in the crate.

9. If you're using the crate for travel, start getting your puppy used to it by taking them on short car rides and gradually increasing the length of the ride.

10. Never use the crate as a form of punishment - only use it as a positive place for your puppy.

11. If your puppy whines or barks when they are in the crate, you may have tried to increase the time too quickly. Wait for the whining behavior to subside before opening the door and in future sessions go back a few steps and build back up.

With a little patience and persistence, you can successfully crate train your puppy using the steps outlined above. Just remember to be consistent and patient with your pup, and to make the crate a positive place for them.

Have a look at some more crate games to play with your pup.

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Puppy Crate Training - Pet Dog Training Today

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If you are like most pet parents, you want your puppy to be house-trained as quickly as possible. Puppy crate training is a great way to achieve this goal and can help your new family member learn the rules and limits of their world quickly. Should I crate train my puppy?

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What Age Can You Put A Harness On A Puppy?

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If you want to know what age can you put a harness on a puppy, the benefits, and how to introduce your puppy to the harness, then read on.

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Do puppy pads speed up potty training and are they worth trying? Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of puppy pads.

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If my puppy growls at me, are they being aggressive?

Puppies can be a handful, but when they give you a growl it might make you worry. Do I have an aggressive puppy? Or is he going to bite me? Is this how true aggression starts? Should you punish your dog? How do I teach the puppy this isn't right?

These are all questions that come to mind for pet owners who have dealt with a growling youngster, and it's all about contexts and risk. In this article we will look at what to do if your normally friendly puppy is growling at you and how to avoid it in the future!

The first step to fixing the problem is understanding why these behavior issues might be occurring. It's not necessarily bad news - it's perfectly normal puppy communication, so let's have a look at different types of growl, potential reasons and the under lying emotion.

Puppy Growl #One: "I'm Mad At You"

A growling dog sometimes means he's mad. If your furry friend grumbles at you and gives you a hard expression, it might be because he's feeling frustrated or upset with something that you've done. Maybe you moved too quickly for him, or maybe you took something away from him that he was enjoying - whatever the reason may be, this usually happens when the puppy is close to you and is meant as a warning.

In this case, change the situation - you'll want to stop whatever you're doing that's making your pooch angry and give them some time to calm down. Once they've calmed down, start reintroducing things slowly, so they don't get frustrated again. If you continue doing things that make your puppy mad, this may escalate into your puppy biting you if you don't listen to them!

If your dog starts growling when you walk past his food bowl, this could be resource guarding, also known as possession aggression. Move your dog's dish to a quiet spot that is out of the main flow of pedestrian traffic in the household so your pooch can eat in peace without fear that anything is going to be taken.

Definitely never put your hands near your dog's dish whilst they are eating and don't take away high value items (such as a pig ear chew) without trading. This may require a behaviour modification program and some training sessions from a qualified animal behaviorist.

Remember that your youngster will have a shorter fuse when they're overtired so make sure they are getting plenty of sleep, especially if they seem to be going through that particularly heavy biting phase between 12-24 weeks of age.

Puppy Growl #Two: "I'm Worried"

A dog that's scared might also start to vocalise in this way. This is often because the dog wants to keep his distance from what he perceives as a threat, so if Fido starts showing this behavior it could be because of something in the environment that's making him scared.

It's important to note that not all growling is bad - in fact, grumbles from a behaviorally healthy dog can actually be helpful in terms of letting you know when your pup is feeling uncomfortable in stressful situations. However, if it starts happening more often then it might be worth getting to the bottom of what's scaring your dog.

As soon as you notice him start to stress growl, try and figure out exactly why he might be scared - does it have something to do with a person or animal in the environment? Is there some sort of loud noise that scares him (like fireworks)? Whatever it may be, once you know the root of the problem, you can start to work on fixing it so he's not worried by whatever it is when he's an adult dog.

This can be a difficult behavior to deal with, because often the thing that's scaring your furry friend is out of your control. However, you can try to help him overcome his fears by slowly exposing him to whatever he's afraid of.

For example, if loud noises appear to worry them, you might try playing some music for him whilst feeding him some yummy treats, teaching the puppy that noises mean good things! If the noise doesn't worry him, then you can slowly increase both the volume and duration. The key here is to go at your dog's pace and not force him into anything that he's not ready for, to prevent your puppy from becoming even more scared.

Puppy Growl #Three: "I'm Playing"

Sometimes dogs vocalise when they want to engage with you or another dog in play. In order to determine if this is the case, you'll need to look at your puppy's movements - do they look playful?

If you think that your pooch might be trying to engage with you in some sort of game, then go for it! Signs of puppy wanting to initiate a game include play bows (elbows on the floor, butt in the air!), and loose, relaxed behavior, wriggly movement with a wagging tail that is not stiff.

Let him know that you're playing too by initiating some playful behaviors of your own or have a game of tug with a rope toy, this will give them plenty of exercise and an outlet for their energy.

However, if it seems like their happy growl is becoming too over-the-top and your puppy is over stimulated then it might be time to end the game.

The bottom line?

When it comes to puppy growling, there can be many different causes behind it but it's normal canine behavior. It's important to pay attention to both the type of growling your furry friend is giving you and his body language. If it seems like he's trying to tell you something, then try not to take it personally - if anything, just give him some space before starting up playtime again!

Should I be worried if my puppy growls at me?

You should definitely try and determine why they are growling and if it's not clear it may be worth engaging a positive reinforcement trainer to help you. Always rule out pain or illness as an underlying issue if your dog's behaviour has suddenly changed, as they may need medical treatment.

Never, ever tell your puppy off for growling. Punishing your dog for growling is like taking the batteries out of your smoke alarm. Growling is communication and if a dog is subjected to punishment methods for growling they may feel the need to skip to the next step on the ladder of communication to get their point across - this is how dog bites happen "out of the blue".

Once you've determined the underlying emotion, you can work on fixing the problem. If it's "I'm scared" then try to gently expose him to whatever is scaring him whilst using treats to create a better association, if it's "I'm playing" then engage with him in play, and if it's "I'm mad at you" work out what is making him frustrated.

The bottom line? If Fido is giving a growl, don't be scared - just understand why he might be doing it!

Check out this post on what to do if your dog barks at visitors.

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What To Do When Your Puppy Growls At You

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Puppies can be a handful, but when they give you a growl it might make you worry. Do I have an aggressive puppy? Or is he going to bite me? Is this how true aggression starts? Should you punish your dog? How do I teach the puppy this isn't right?

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If this sounds like you and it seems like your puppy hates walks, read on for some quick tips that will help you get out into the world with your pup!

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In the initial week after you bring your puppy home, they may need a wash. Learn how to make bathing your puppy easy with this step by step guide.

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Puppies can bite for a variety of reasons but rest assured it's totally normal, natural behaviour. Here are some of the most common reasons, and what you can do to start teaching your puppy that mouthing and biting don't pay off.

Stop puppy biting by not reacting

One reason puppies might bite is of your reaction. If you react in a way that the puppy likes, they will do it more in the future. But if you don't react, they are likely to do it less in the future.

Puppies can have surprisingly sharp teeth and strong jaws and it can hurt even when they don't bite hard. But if you make a lot of fuss and noise and act really excited when your puppy puts their mouth on your clothing, that will encourage them to do it more. They may even start to use this behavior to initiate play.

Puppies may find it exciting if you react that way and they will think it's a game you're playing. It's great fun for them and now you're engaged and paying them attention! Mission accomplished!!

An example of this is when a playful puppy grabs your trouser leg. If you apply resistance by pulling your leg away, they will try to keep hold of it because you've just turned it into a fun game of tug for them to play. Becoming animated will mean you're accidentally training your puppy to do that again and again.

Some people will advise to give a high pitched yelp when in response to a nip or bite, like when your puppy learned bite inhibition from their litter mates, but I have only ever found this to be counter productive as it normally just serves to amp most puppies up further.

To stop your puppy from biting, you need to be very boring when they do it. Don't make any noise, don't pull away, and don't give them any attention. When puppies learn that biting doesn't get them the reaction they want, and they will eventually stop doing it. Teach your pup that biting stops play and that fun activities such as a training session will be halted if they put their teeth anywhere they shouldn't.

If your puppy is biting, ignore them and don't interact, avoid eye contact and don't touch them. Wait for them to drop before going on to another toy. Make sure you keep a tug toy in your pocket or a chewie .

Puppies should be ignored and not interacted with. Do not make eye contact with them and do not touch them. Make sure you have a tug toy or a chew toy with you so that you can divert their attention if needed, or a handful of kibble in your pocket to divert their attention away from your pants by tossing it down on the floor.

When your dog starts to release whatever piece of your clothing they have in their jaws, say "Good" and then give them the tug toy, chew or kibble as a reward.

If you can predict when it is going to happen, then you should see them coming and redirect them onto a toy or a chew before they make contact with your or clothes, hands or feet.

Prevent puppy biting with more chew time

Another reason puppies bite is because they don't have enough opportunities to chew on natural, long-lasting chewies.

When I do a consultation with a new puppy owner, I often ask what the puppy has to chew on and the pet parents show me a selection of things like rope toys, nylon bones, or plastic teething toys. Puppies usually find these boring because there is nothing exciting about them. They are only fun when there is someone else on the other end of them.

For chew items to be appealing to your puppy, it is best if they came from an animal. Things like calf hooves, tripe sticks, beef, scalp, pizzle - all of those things are more attractive to your puppy than the plastic toy or the rope toy. Puppies are likely to chew on them for a longer time.

Buy some tripe sticks, pizzles, and other single-ingredient, natural chews for your puppy to discourage your puppy from chewing on your fingers or toes instead! Even adult dogs need to chew on things. And puppies need to chew more than grown dogs do. Aim for an hour of chew time every day doing this. This will also help keep their teeth healthy.

Chewing is a great way for puppies to calm down. When puppies chew, it releases endorphins that help them relax so if your puppy has gone a bit crazy, encourage them to have some chew time.

Natural chews can keep your puppy occupied for periods through the day. This can be very helpful if you need some free time to yourself so make sure you stock up on these items and offer plenty of chew time to your puppy.

Stop puppy biting getting out of control with more naps

Puppies that seldom sleep during the day are always more problematic. Whilst they are not capable of throwing a tantrum quite like a human toddler, they definitely get grumpy and grouchy when they are tired and are quicker to lose control. This is when you see a lot of the inappropriate behavior so make sure your puppy has plenty of opportunities for nap time.

When you first bring home a puppy between 8 and 12 weeks of age, they might only be able to stay awake for between 45 and 90 minutes at a time. Puppies usually get bitey after they get tired. Make sure that their bed is in a calm place in your household so they're not disturbed before they've had enough sleep.

Give your puppy something to help them relax and fall asleep, such as a natural chew or a stuffed Kong. Put them in their bed, crate or safe puppy pen with the chew to give them a chance to calm down and they will start to chill until they drift off to sleep.

As a professional trainer meeting lots of puppy clients, these are my top three reasons puppies bite. if you can work on these things, you'll be a lot less likely to get bitten so much by your puppy. With time and patience, you'll get through it!
Check out Kong toys for your dog at Chewy.com and save 35% on your first Autoship Order.
Thank you very much for reading, and I hope you found this useful.

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Puppy Biting - Why It Happens And How To Stop It

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Puppies can bite for a variety of reasons but rest assured it's totally normal, natural behaviour. Here are some of the most common reasons, and what you can do to start teaching your puppy that mouthing and biting don't pay off. One reason puppies might bite is of your reaction.

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Puppy Socialization - Easy Guide To Getting It Right

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What if I told you proper puppy socialization is about teaching your dog to ignore stuff instead of play with it?