If you're adding a new puppy or dog to your home, it's best to be prepared! Preventive Vet's certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, Cathy Madson, shares her top picks for house training supplies and training tools. Combine these with rewarding your puppy or new dog for going potty outside, and your house training will be faster and easier for all!
These supplies will be helpful when setting up your puppy's crate and puppy play zone to encourage proper potty habits:
Here's an example of how we set up new Preventive Vet puppy Finnegan's crate and puppy zone.
If your puppy doesn't go potty when outside, and you need to keep a close eye on them when you're indoors, keep them tethered to you with this hands free leash. This way you can catch any signs that they need to go potty quickly and take them outside again. Buy Similar on Chewy
I prefer to use real grass potty patches as they make transitioning to outdoor-only potty training easiest. Nothing like the feel of real grass under your puppy's paws! These also tend to not get as stinky as synthetic grass (but aren't as easily rinsed off). If you choose real grass options, you can set up automatic subscriptions and deliveries.
Having a way for your puppy to tell you that they need to go outside can prevent potty accidents! Hang these at each door you use to take your puppy outside. Buy Similar on Chewy
Using potty attractant spray tends to be hit or miss depending on the puppy. However, if you're using indoor potty pads or grass potty mats, using a spray can help entice your puppy to go in that spot over other areas of your home. If you're only focusing on outdoor potty training, don't worry about using a spray.
There will (unfortunately) be puppy potty accidents! Properly cleaning up any house soiling is important to prevent future accidents in the same spot. Dogs often seek out the scent of previous places they've gone to the bathroom. Use an enzymatic cleaner for best results.
Pro Tip: Whatever you do, don't steam clean first when cleaning up a puppy potty accident. You need to neutralize the odor with enzymatic and bio-based cleaners first. Otherwise, the steam can "set" the stain and odor by permanently bonding the proteins contained in the urine (or poop) to the fibers of your carpet.
Use this blacklight flashlight to locate urine stains around your home that need a deeper clean. This way your pup is less likely to return to those same spots when they need to go potty. Learn how to find potty accidents with a blacklight in this article.
