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How to Potty Train a Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Dog Parents

How to Potty Train a Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Dog Parents

by Andrea Nolon | Jul 1, 2025 | New Puppy Prep, Puppy Training

If you’re deep in the puppy stage, chances are potty training is high on your list — and maybe also driving you a little bit bananas. You’re not alone. This is the #1 concern I hear from new dog parents! It feels like your puppy should just know where to go. But...

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  • 5 Fun & Easy DIY Dog Enrichment Ideas (for $5 or less!)

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Did you see the fox?🦊 If fetch turns into tug of Did you see the fox?🦊 If fetch turns into tug of war every single time… try this 👇 Most dogs aren’t being “stubborn” with the ball. They just don’t understand how to give it back without losing the game. So we teach “drop it.” Here’s the trick: Have a treat ready in one hand. When your dog comes back, offer the treat… and the moment they drop the ball, quietly grab the ball with your other hand. 🎾 No grabbing. No chasing. No tugging. Just a simple trade. What starts to happen? Your dog learns: Dropping the ball doesn’t end the fun… it actually keeps the game going. And that’s where fetch becomes cooperative instead of competitive. 🤍 Try this next time you play fetch and see what happens. Then come back and tell me…. Did your dog drop the ball faster? Did you enjoy it more? Do you think you’ll play more fetch now? 🏷️ Saving this reel will help you remember to try it later! #fetch #trainingdogs #puppytrainingtips #puppygames
If your puppy turns into a tiny gremlin at night… If your puppy turns into a tiny gremlin at night… this is for you. You know the moment. The biting gets worse.
The zoomies get faster.
They stop listening.
Everything feels chaotic… out of nowhere. And most people assume: “They need to burn more energy.” But often? It’s the opposite. Your puppy is overtired, overstimulated, and struggling to regulate. Puppies don’t always know how to stop when they’re tired.
 They don’t naturally think: “I should go lie down.” So they keep going…
until everything starts to fall apart. That’s why crate naps and a predictable routine matter so much. Not because the crate is “mean.”
But because rest helps your puppy: * feel safe * recover * learn * cope * and handle life better A well-used crate becomes:
a safe place,
a little bedroom,
a reset for their nervous system. And sometimes the kindest thing you can do for your puppy… is help them slow down. I included my “go-to” crate/nap schedule you can follow → swipe through to see it. And if you know a new puppy parent in the thick of it right now… share this with them 🤍 And tell me:
What does your puppy do when they’re overtired? Search terms: #puppytraining101 #cratetraining #puppyculturebreeder #puppynaps #puppyschool sleeping puppy, puppy problems, nipping puppy, zoomies, puppy barking, bringing a puppy home, puppy go home day, new puppy parents
There are a few things in life I’m really glad I s There are a few things in life I’m really glad I started early… And a few I wish I had started sooner. Saving for retirement?�Grateful I began when I did. Strength training?�Definitely wish I had started earlier. And honestly? Puppy training belongs on every dog owner’s list too. Because when people say�“I wish I had started sooner”�about their puppy… They’re usually not talking about obedience. They’re talking about how much easier life could have felt. How much calmer their puppy could have been.�How much more confident they could have become.�How many frustrating habits may have never taken hold at all. (And their dining table legs that will remind them forever!) And that’s the part I think new puppy parents deserve to know: Training doesn’t begin when there’s a problem.�It begins the moment your puppy comes home. Every little thing is teaching your puppy something…�whether you mean to or not. How to settle.�How to follow you.�How to move through your home.�How to love their name.�How to understand what feels safe, expected, and rewarding. How to fit into your busy family! That early time matters. Not because you need to do everything perfectly…�but because starting early is what makes life easier later. And if no one has told you this yet: You are not behind.�But today is a really good day to start. I know what it feels like to wish you had started sooner…�and I don’t want you to feel that way about your puppy. If you could go back to when your puppy was still little… what would you have started earlier? *** If you want: I have a free Puppy Training Course! Link in Bio #newpuppylove #bringingpuppyhome #puppymama #puppytrainingtips #puppyschool
If you wait for your puppy to be fully vaccinated If you wait for your puppy to be fully vaccinated before socializing them… You’ve already missed a critical window. (I know… That can be hard to hear.) But socialization doesn’t mean walking your puppy down busy streets. It doesn’t mean meeting every dog. It doesn’t mean, putting them in overwhelming situations. It means thoughtful exposure. Today, instead of feeding Angel‘s lunch in a bowl… We opted for this. We found a quiet spot outside, away from the center of activity, and just sat together. No walking. No pressure. No expectations. Just watching the world go by. Observing the sights of a busy city. Every Sound… paired with food. Every moment of calm… reinforced. This is how puppies learn: The world is safe. They don’t need to react to everything. And staying close to you is where the good stuff happens. You’ll notice I kept it: - short - simple - rewarding - focused And yes… I stepped on the leash. Not to control him, but to prevent him from practicing panic or escape. And, I didn’t want to jump on anybody if someone walked by. Confidence isn’t built in chaos It’s built in small, successful moments like this. If this area had been busier, I would’ve added a blanket to give him a clearer “place” to settle. That can be what we work on next! Overtime, we will build his confidence with practice. Longer duration. More distractions. New environments. But right now? Five minutes of city exposure is enough. How does your dog do with busy streets, dogs walking by or people? Did you practice Calm Observation with your puppy?
The secret to leash training… starts with no leash The secret to leash training… starts with no leash at all. We simply begin walking together before introducing structured leash walks. If a puppy hasn’t learned the joy of walking near you… adding a leash suddenly feels like control instead of connection. So before Angel ever feels pressure from a leash, we practice this. (Note: Dogs of any age can enjoy this training game!) Just walking slowly around the living room. No leash. No commands. No pressure. Every time he chooses to walk near me, he gets a treat. That’s it. What looks like a simple little game is actually building something really important. Focus. Proximity. A habit of checking in. He’s learning that staying close to me is rewarding. He’s learning that moving together is fun. And he’s learning that paying attention to me leads to good things. Later, when we add the leash… and more structured walks… the foundation is already there. Instead of dragging him along, we’re simply adding a piece of equipment to a skill he already understands. And that’s the quiet magic of puppy training. The tiny games you play today become the behaviors you rely on tomorrow. Older dogs love revisiting games like this too. It’s a simple way to reconnect, work together, and reinforce the skills that lead to calmer, stress-free walks. 🔖 Save this idea to try with your dog later.
If your puppy growls when you pick them up… it mig If your puppy growls when you pick them up… it might not be what you think. This is something I see all the time with new puppies, especially in families with kids. Most puppies don’t like being picked up at first. And honestly, that makes sense. Imagine someone twice your size suddenly reaching down, grabbing you, and lifting you off the ground before you even understand what’s happening. From a puppy’s perspective, that can feel pretty scary. So if your puppy growls when you pick them up, it doesn’t mean they’re “bad” or “dominant.” It usually just means one thing. That was too fast. The growl can feel scary, especially when kids are nearby. But, from the puppy’s perspective, the whole thing happened before they even understood what was going on. The good news? This is an easy skill to teach, not only to the puppy, but to the whole family. Teaching “puppy pick-up etiquette” can prevent the growl from becoming something more serious. When I pick Angel up, I slow everything way down so he can relax and process that I am about to pick him up. First, I gently place my hands on his chest between his front legs. Then I pause for a moment so he can process the touch. Next, I shift a tiny bit of weight into my hands so he can feel that something is about to happen. Only then do I slowly lift him, supporting his back legs so his body feels secure. Sometimes we don’t even pick him up at all. We just practice the feeling of pressure and release. I barely lift his front paws off the ground and then place them right back down. That’s how puppies learn to trust being handled. What people often mistake: Growling at this stage isn’t bad. It’s communication. Your puppy is saying: “I didn’t like that.” That’s helpful information. If we ignore it, the growl can turn into something more serious. A warning growl tells us we need to slow down, practice more, and give them time to build trust. Because trust isn’t automatic for puppies. It’s something we build slowly.�With patience. With practice. Honestly, I think dogs of all ages can benefit from this little trust-building exercise. How does your dog respond when you try to pick them up? Have they ever growled?
Overcoming car fear takes time. Some dog owners u Overcoming car fear takes time. Some dog owners unintentionally make their dogs hate the car… usually because the first car ride is a big one. A long drive. A vet visit. A stressful day. For a tiny puppy who just left their litter, that can feel like a lot. Since Angel will spend plenty of time driving between Virginia and Vermont, we want the car to feel normal right from the beginning. So we started early with gentle car exposure. Last week we simply visited the car for five minutes each day. Walk to the garage. Hop in the car. Lots of treats. Lots of calm, positive energy. Then we went back inside like it was no big deal. No driving. No pressure. Just letting the car become part of everyday life and part of our daily routine. Today we added the next step: A short drive around the block. Short enough that it’s over before he really has time to worry. This week we’ll slowly build from there, making the drive just a little longer each day. Right now? He still doesn’t love the car. Do you think he’ll survive the long ride to Vermont next week? As a trainer, I know confidence in puppies grows through small, easy experiences that help the world feel predictable and safe. But as a dog mom… I sometimes have to remind myself that this is just a stage. And that something as simple as five quiet minutes visiting the car can make a world of difference. Tell me… Did your dog like the car right away? Or did it take some practice?
Even as a puppy trainer… the first week with a new Even as a puppy trainer… the first week with a new puppy is humbling. Everyone sees the cute photos. But behind the scenes it’s: potty trips crate training watching the clock managing sleep adjusting your entire schedule and keeping one eye on the puppy at all times. Helping a puppy get internally regulated with food, sleep, and potty routines actually takes a surprising amount of discipline from us. This is why I always recommend taking a little time off when a puppy first comes home. Not just for the puppy… but for your own sanity too. Trying to squeeze a brand new puppy into an already full schedule is a fast track to feeling overwhelmed… and sometimes even resentful. This is why the first week matters so much. These early days are meant to be a honeymoon period. A time to slow down. Bond. And help your puppy adjust to their new world. Everything should feel gentle. And that takes self-care too. One of my favorite parts of this stage is something very simple: Just watching them be puppies. This morning Angel spent ten full minutes batting a little red ball across the rug like a tiny soccer player. ⚽️ Independent play builds confidence. It helps puppies feel safe exploring their new environment. And it’s one of the best foundations for preventing separation anxiety later. But while they play… you’re also learning. You notice the tiny things: their potty signals their body language their energy shifts their personality We’re getting to know them just as much as they’re getting to know us. Attunement like this doesn’t come from rushing. It comes from quiet time together. It comes from slowing down and paying attention. And sometimes the best thing you can do for your puppy… is simply sit quietly and watch them be a puppy. And here’s the part I’m curious about… Be honest… what was the hardest part of the first week with your puppy? For me right now it’s potty training in an apartment. 🫠 #citypup #puppytraining #newpuppyparents
Crate crying is the worst. 😭 I know because I’ve Crate crying is the worst. 😭 I know because I’ve sat outside that crate millions of times, and it’s still hard! staring at the clock. heart pounding. waiting for the puppy to quiet. Wondering: Is he scared? Am I messing this up? Is this puppy different? Am I creating separation anxiety right now?! When they cry, it hits something primal in us. We are wired to respond. 💔 So if you feel anxious while your puppy cries? That doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you care. But here’s the part no one tells you: Learning to settle in the crate is a valuable skill. And skills are sometimes uncomfortable to learn. In the beginning, crying is normal. It’s not trauma. It’s not damage. It’s frustration + fatigue + “this is new.” Your puppy isn’t crying because the crate is bad. She’s crying because she’s learning: How to self-soothe. How to regulate energy. How to move through tired feelings. Learning that you always come back. This is where structure saves your sanity! Puppy wakes up. Puppy plays. This is where bonding happens. Then puppy gets tired. 😴 And tired puppies sleep. When we stay consistent, something powerful happens: Predictable becomes safe. Safe becomes calm. ☺️ We play crate games. We sit nearby if needed. We keep the rhythm steady. We give them space to fall asleep. But we don’t open the door for crying… because if crying works once, it will last longer next time. Trust me I’ve helped over 3,000 dogs through crate training. Some protest louder. Some settle faster. But every single one can learn to relax in their crate when we stick to the schedule and give them the chance. If you’re in the thick of this right now (timer set, heart racing), I see you. 🥹 You are not ruining your dog if you’re on a consistent schedule. You are teaching resilience. And on the other side of this? You’ll have a dog who can truly settle. Tell me — are you in the “5 minutes feels like 50” phase? Or already seeing glimmers of calm? If you have a dog that loves his crate, reassure others going through it with a word of encouragement! ❤️
One of my favorite little rituals is walking my hu One of my favorite little rituals is walking my husband to work each morning. But raising a puppy in the city during the vaccination period? That takes a little strategy. There are dogs everywhere. Rodents. Birds. City noise. Too much exposure too fast can overwhelm a puppy’s little nervous system… and right now, paws on the ground just aren’t worth the health risk. But puppies still need socialization. They need safe exposure to the big world, in small doses. They need to see buses. Hear traffic. Watch other dogs from a safe distance. Experience real life! Small, manageable doses make a puppy curious, confident and not overstimulated. So this morning, Angel came along in the coziest little sling. Tucked in. Warm. Safe. Paws off the ground. He got the sights and sounds of the city without the overwhelm. We took a shortcut and were only out about 15 min total! Early puppy socialization isn’t about flooding them with everything at once. We just begin to introduce them to new things slowly, but consistently. Building confidence layer by layer. We don’t want overwhelmed puppies. We want confident dogs. Dogs who can hike in Vermont. Chill at an outdoor cafe. Travel to new places. Dogs who can walk through busy streets. Dogs who can join us in all that life has to offer. My goal is to quit before he’s “done!” If you’re raising a city puppy (or navigating the vaccination window), get creative with how you socialize them safely. Sometimes, less is more! But it’s important to get out! What else would you like to see Angel learn or experience as he grows? #puppysocialization #apartmentpuppy #citypuppy
Well… we did a thing. After a lot of thought, a l Well… we did a thing. After a lot of thought, a lot of waiting, and a lot of quiet healing… we welcomed this little soul into our family. This is Angel. He already loves to curl into our arms, study our faces, and melt into our laps like he’s been here forever. The house feels different. Softer. Lighter. Full again. There’s something sacred about the beginning ❤️ The first snuggles, the first sleepy sighs, the first realization that your heart just expanded without asking permission. 💕 We’re soaking in this honeymoon season before sharing too much. But I couldn’t keep him to myself forever. Welcome home, Angel. 🤍 🤔Are you seeing future therapy dog vibes… or certified rascal? He’s been a charm so far 🥰 (As my son @ty.nolon said: new loyal hound just dropped! 😂)
Are you looking for a breeder? Choosing a puppy i Are you looking for a breeder? Choosing a puppy is exciting… and overwhelming. Finding the right breeder who understands your needs is the first step. What I don’t see talked about enough is the value a truly good breeder carries, how to find them and even what to look for in an ethical breeder. Ethical breeders don’t just produce puppies, they feel a deep responsibility for every life they bring into the world. They think carefully about matching puppies to families, knowing that the right fit protects both the dog and the humans who love them. When that match is thoughtful, the likelihood of rehoming drops dramatically. And if life ever throws a curveball, ethical breeders step in: their dogs don’t end up in shelters. The small breeders who pour time, love and intention into each litter, gently introducing crates, prioritizing early socialization, and creating calm, positive early experiences, are setting their puppies up for a lifetime of success. Those early experiences matter more than most people realize. One question I always encourage puppy families to ask is: What support or educational resources are offered once puppies go home? It’s often overlooked, and it can make all the difference during those early, vulnerable weeks. Tell me: If you could give one piece of advice to someone choosing a breeder, what would it be? -–– Thank you @cornerstonelabradoodles for welcoming me in and letting me spend time with your delightful puppies. Your care, intention, and commitment to your dogs truly shows — and these puppies are getting the very best start. 💛
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