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German Shepherd Puppies are an energetic breed of dog and their training requires a lot of patience and perseverance. Some people find German Shepherd puppy potty training challenging, while others find great satisfaction in helping their pets achieve the best results.
Raising a puppy is one of the most joyful experiences, especially a fiercely loyal, quick-witted, and strong-willed breed, thus knowing the best way to potty train a puppy is an essential part of your adorable paw journey. In this article, we will give you a few pointers on how to potty train your German Shepherd puppy.
How to Potty Train a German Shepherd Puppy
You’ll need the best way to potty train a puppy out there since the process of training a strong-minded breed like the German Shepherd can be a bit exigent, but with patience and consistency, you can successfully potty train your puppy.
Here are a few tips if you’re wondering about how to potty train your baby German Shepherd puppy, and how to toilet train a puppy in 7 days.
Decide on a potty area
Choose a designated potty area for your puppy and take them there regularly. It’s important that they associate this area with going to the bathroom. Make this area as comfortable as possible, with potty pads and a water bowl.
- For most people, having two spots designated for them to go is best.
- Let your puppy decide where they want to go so that they don’t end up in the wrong spot, which could confuse them even more.
- One spot should be outdoors and one spot should be indoors.
- If your puppy has an accident in their potty area, reward them with treats and take them back to their spot.
- Don’t let them wander around aimlessly as this will confuse them and make them go to undesirable places.
Create a potty-training schedule
Creating a potty-training schedule is essential. You’ll need to take your puppy out to go to the bathroom frequently, and you’ll need to be consistent with your schedule. You’ll also need to reward your puppy for going to the bathroom in the right place.
As the puppy grows older, he will gain bladder control and learn how to hold it longer each day. According to the AKC, creating a puppy bladder control chart can be helpful. The chart can help you and your puppy keep track of when he or she last went to the bathroom. This can help know when your puppy needs to go out and help to avoid accidents.
Here is a puppy routine and schedule that can be helpful.
| Time | Event | Your Routine and Schedule |
| 7:00 am | Wake up. Take your pup outside. | Dogs need to go as soon as they awake. |
| 7:15 am | Mealtime. | Take food up if not eaten within 20 minutes. |
| 7:30 am | Outside time. | Puppies need to go soon after eating, usually within 10 to 25 minutes after a meal. |
| 7:45 am | Indoor playtime. | Play with your puppy so they burn off some of their energy and get to bond with you. |
| 9:00 am | Outside time. | Before you leave for the day, offer the last potty break. |
| 11:30 am | Take your dog out. | You can hire a dog walker to come home to let your pup out. |
| 12:00 pm | Mealtime. | Take up food within 20 minutes if not eaten. |
| 1:30 pm | Take your pup out. | Dogs need to go after meals. |
| 12:30 pm | Playtime. | If you need to go back to work or out again, confine your pup for their safety. A puppy check-in from a dog walker lasts 45 to 60 minutes and includes letting them out, playtime, and fresh food and water refills. |
| 3:30 pm | Take your dog outside. | When you return home, your puppy will need to go out immediately. |
| 3:45 pm | Mealtime. | Puppies need to be fed 2 to 4 times a day. |
| 4:00 pm | Take your dog out. | Your puppy needs to relieve himself after meals. |
| 4:30 pm | Interaction time. | This is a good time for basic training, socializing, free play, and very short walks. |
| 6:15 pm | Outside time. | Play with your pup. Explore new areas of your yard. Praise them when they potty. |
| 6:30 pm | Supervised play. | Monitor your pup for any potty behaviors. Play, light and gentle exercise, and time with family are good in the evenings. |
| 7:30 pm | Last meal. | Make sure your puppy eats 2–4 times a day. |
| 7:45 | Outside time. | Let your puppy stretch his legs and explore the yard. |
| 8:00 pm | Supervised time. Take up the water. | Restrict water only before bedtime to avoid overnight accidents. |
| 10:00 pm | Outside time. | Be sure your pup gets praise when he potties outdoors. |
| 10:15 pm | Supervised time. | Keep our puppy leashed to you if you need to move around the house. Remember to pick up any food or water left out, as these can contribute to your pup eliminating during the night. |
| 10:45 pm | Potty break. | Take your pup out right before you put him in his night area for bedtime. |
| 11:00 pm | Your puppy goes to bed. | Make sure your pup’s area is safe for the night and you develop a nighttime routine so your pup learns their bedtime habit. |
Associate a command
In order to potty train your German shepherd puppy, you will need to associate a command with the act of going to the bathroom. This can be done by saying a specific word or phrase such as “go potty” every time your puppy goes to the bathroom outside. Eventually, your puppy will learn that this command means they should go to the bathroom.
When your puppy does go to the bathroom outside, you will want to say the word or phrase and give them a treat. Once your puppy consistently goes to the bathroom outside on a regular basis, you can start using the word “outside” and stop giving treats.
After a few days of consistently going to the bathroom outside, you can then start taking your puppy outside every time they go to the bathroom and call their name.
Encourage good bathroom habits
When potty training your German Shepherd puppy, it is important to encourage good bathroom habits. A good way to do this is to take your puppy outside frequently, especially after meals and naps. Praise your puppy when he or she goes to the bathroom outside. If your puppy has an accident inside, clean it up immediately and do not punish your puppy.
Diet supervision
A German Shepherd Puppy will need a diet that is high in protein and fat to help them stay energized and focused. Good quality dry food is the best way to ensure that your puppy is getting all the nutrients they need.
Other foods such as baby food and human food can be beneficial but will need to be given in moderation. Be sure to consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your puppy’s diet.
Consistency and restriction
Be consistent with your potty training routine. Take your puppy out to the potty area at the same times each day and praise them when they relieve themselves in the designated area. Never let them out past their intended time. If they start to sniff and chew inappropriate things, take them back to the place they’re supposed to go and try again later.
Puppies are playful creatures and will play for as long as they are able. This means that they could spend all day in the backyard, leaving you no opportunity to take them out. Always keep a close eye on your puppy so that you can take them out if they start to show signs of needing to go potty.
Be patient and consistent when training your German Shepherd puppy. Remember that your puppy is still very young and may need time to understand what you are teaching them.
Training in a crate
Potty training your German Shepherd puppy can be a challenge, but crate training can be a big help. When your puppy is in his crate, he can’t have accidents. So, every time you take him out of his crate, take him directly to his potty spot. With patience and consistency, you’ll be able to potty train your German Shepherd puppy in no time.
Use a phrase they will learn to understand
One of the best ways to potty train your German shepherd puppy is to use a phrase they will learn to understand. By using a simple command like “go potty” or “outside” when you take them out to do their business, they will quickly learn what you expect of them. It is important to be consistent with your commands and rewards so that they can learn what they are supposed to do and be successful at it.
Reward the puppy for a job well done
Puppies are cute, and everyone wants to reward them when they do something good. But did you know that you can actually use rewards to help potty train your German Shepherd puppy? It’s true! Just like with people, positive reinforcement is a great way to encourage your puppy to keep doing something that you want them to do.
So, the next time your German Shepherd puppy goes potty outside, make sure to give them a big reward – it’ll go a long way in helping them learn that that’s where they’re supposed to go!
Toilet train a puppy in 7 days
Toilet training a puppy can be a daunting task, but with a little patience and consistency, it can be done in just a week. The key is to, create a schedule and stick to it. Here are the steps:
- Decide where you want your puppy to go to the bathroom. It could be in a specific spot in the yard or on a puppy pad inside.
- Take your puppy to that spot frequently, especially after meals, naps, and playtime. Give them a few minutes to do their business.
- If they go, praise them enthusiastically. If they don’t, don’t punish them, just clean up any accidents and try again later.
- Eventually, your puppy will go on their own, as in within about 5 minutes of being in the spot, they will go. When this happens, you can start leaving them alone for longer periods of time (1 hour+) and then gradually reduce that to 30 minutes.
- Once your puppy consistently goes on their own, you can graduate to free-ranging. This means that you no longer need to have a concrete spot picked out. You can now let your puppy roam around the entire yard, but make sure that they are completely house-trained when they come in.
- As your puppy gets older, they will outgrow their need to use the potty indoors. This means that you can now take them outside to do their business, but still reward them when they go in the right spot.
- Now that you have trained your puppy to go outside, it’s time to start going outside with them. Make sure you and your pup wear appropriate attire. Don’t forget to bring some plastic bags and be prepared for bad weather (i.e. rain)!
It’s important to be consistent with your puppy’s potty training. This means no exceptions and following the schedule that you set forth. For example, if you are going to take your puppy out every morning at 7 am, make sure they go at 7 am every morning.
If you have an emergency and have to leave them in the yard, then do so. If there is an accident, clean it up immediately and take your puppy back inside.
Teaching a German Shepherd puppy to pee outside
Teaching your beloved puppy to pee outside can take some time, if you’re wondering how to train a puppy to pee outside and also how long can a puppy hold its pee, here’s the answer.
Puppies have small bladders and can’t hold their urine for very long. The general rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold its urine for one hour every month of age. So, if your puppy is two months old, it can probably hold its urine for about two hours. If you want to train your puppy to pee outside, start by taking it out frequently, about every two hours. Be sure to praise your puppy when it goes to the desired location.
Once your puppy understands that it’s ok to go outside, take it out as often as you like. Gradually, as your puppy gets older, you can cut back on the amount of time it goes outside.
Teaching a German Shepherd puppy to pee in the house
While teaching your dog to pee outside is very important for your puppy’s health and safety, teaching them to go in the house is also very helpful. A good rule of thumb is to take your puppy out frequently, about every two hours.
How Often Should You Take Out Your German Shepherd Puppy to Potty?
| Puppy Age | How often do you take them outside to potty? |
| 8 weeks old | Every 2 hours |
| 10 weeks old | Every 2.5 hours |
| 12 weeks old | Every 3 hours |
| 14 weeks old | Every 3.5 hours |
| 16 weeks old | Every 4 hours |
If you’re wondering how often puppies pee, well puppies typically need to go out every few hours, and they may need to go out more frequently if they are eating or drinking a lot. German shepherd puppies may also need to go out more often if they are teething or have recently had a vaccination.
If your puppy is not peeing outside, take it out often and make sure to reward it each time it does. Most puppies will begin to pee in the appropriate place after just a few potty training sessions.
German shepherd puppies under 8 weeks old often need to go potty every 2 hours, while shepherd dogs over 12 weeks old typically need to go potty every 3 hours. Here is a chart showing how frequently, according to age range, you should let your German Shepherd go potty outside.
How can I tell if my German Shepherd is potty trained?
If your German Shepherd is potty trained, you will be able to tell by the way they behave when they need to go to the bathroom. They will likely go to the door or a specific spot in your home that you have designated for them to relieve themselves. If your German Shepherd is not potty trained, they may have accidents in the house or try to go to the bathroom in inappropriate places.
When should I start potty training my German Shepherd puppy?
The average German Shepherd puppy can be potty trained around 6-8 months old, but some may take a little longer as it depends on a number of factors, such as your puppy’s age, development, and temperament.
To start potty training, you’ll need to start by establishing a regular routine, such as taking your puppy outside to relieve themselves first thing in the morning and the last thing at night.
Watch for signs that they need to go, such as sniffing around or circling, and take them outside to their designated potty spot frequently. Reward them with praise and treats when they do their business in the correct spot. Be patient and consistent with your training, and soon your German Shepherd puppy will be successfully potty trained.
How long does it take to potty train a German Shepherd puppy?
German Shepherds are known for being intelligent and easy to train, which extends to potty training. So, how long does it take to potty train a puppy? Puppies can start learning at around 4 months old, with most being fully trained by 6 months. Like with any dog, the key is consistency and patience. crate training can also be helpful in speeding up the process.
However, how long to potty train a puppy is different from potty training a dog. So if you’re wondering how long does it take to potty train a German Shepherd Dog? It really depends on the dog, but typically it takes around 4-6 weeks. With proper guidance and consistent training, your German Shepherd Dog will be potty trained in no time!
Final Thoughts
If you want to potty train your German shepherd puppy the fastest way, then there are a few keynotes to keep in mind.
- First, be consistent with your training.
- Second, use positive reinforcement methods such as treats or praise to encourage good behavior.
- Finally, have patience and be prepared for accidents to happen.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to potty train your German shepherd puppy in no time! So what are you waiting for? Get started today!
