Bringing home a puppy is pure joy—until you realize they don’t come potty trained! I’ve been there. With each of our dogs—Charlie, Molly, and now Bella—I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that potty training rarely goes perfectly.
While there are plenty of guides promising quick and easy results, the truth is most setbacks come from simple mistakes we don’t even realize we’re making. I know, because I made them too.
In this post, I’m sharing 10 common potty training mistakes new puppy parents make—along with the lessons I learned while housebreaking Bella. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve hit a frustrating wall, recognizing these missteps might be exactly what you need to get back on track.
10 Potty Training Mistakes You’re Probably Making
1. Giving Your Puppy Too Much Freedom Too Soon
When we brought Bella home, we thought we were being careful—but in hindsight, we gave her a little too much freedom, too fast. We let her explore beyond what she was ready for, thinking it would help her adjust to her new home. Instead, it gave her more opportunities to wander off and have accidents in quiet corners—her favorite spot was under the dining room table, where we couldn’t easily see her.
As sweet and curious as puppies are, they don’t come home knowing the house rules. Giving them full access to your home right away doesn’t just increase the chances of accidents—it also makes it harder for them to understand where the right potty spot is. They’re just not ready for that kind of responsibility yet.
What to do instead:
Start small. Limit your puppy’s access to one room or a defined area using baby gates, an exercise pen, or by keeping them on a leash tethered to you. This way, you can supervise them easily and catch any early potty signals. It also helps you build a clear pattern of success by guiding them to the same potty spot every time.
Once they’ve had at least a week of accident-free days in that smaller space—and they consistently go potty in the right place—you can begin to gradually expand their territory. Think of it like unlocking levels in a game: each clean week earns them more freedom. Just make sure your home is puppy proofed first.
2. Skipping a Consistent Schedule
Some of Bella’s earliest accidents were entirely on us—we simply weren’t paying close enough attention to the time or her. Puppies have tiny bladders and little control, and they often need to go right after waking up, shortly after eating or drinking, or following a play session. Without a predictable routine, accidents are bound to happen.
At first, we assumed we could just take her out “when it seemed like time.” But puppies don’t work that way. They need structure and repetition. Without it, they’ll find their own time and place to go—and chances are, it won’t be when or where you want.
What to do instead:
Create a simple potty schedule and stick to it. In the beginning, plan for potty breaks:
- First thing in the morning
- Right after naps
- 10–15 minutes after eating or drinking
- After extended play sessions
- Before bedtime
- Anytime they come out of their crate or gated area
During the early weeks, aim for potty breaks every 1.5 to 2 hours—even if they just went. Set a timer or use an app if it helps you stay on track.
If your puppy has an accident, it may mean your intervals are too long. Adjust as needed. Every puppy is different, but as they mature and gain more bladder control, you can gradually stretch the time between breaks.
3. Expecting Your Puppy to Tell You When They Need to Go
Most dogs do learn to let you know when they need to go out—eventually. Some bark, others whine or scratch at the door, and some just stare at it until you notice (like Bella). But here’s the thing: that only happens after they’ve been potty trained and have learned that going outside is the right thing to do.
In the early stages, your puppy doesn’t yet understand that they’re supposed to ask, and they certainly don’t know how.
What to do instead:
You have to be the one doing the watching—at least for now. Learn your puppy’s pre-potty behaviors. These often include pacing, sniffing the floor, circling, wandering toward the door, or suddenly becoming restless. Every puppy is different, so you may need to observe closely over a few days to recognize their pattern.
If you catch them showing any of these signs, calmly and quickly take them to their designated potty spot. Over time, they’ll start to associate those behaviors with going outside—and eventually, they’ll develop their own way of signaling you more clearly.
To help you get started, we’ve created a free printable checklist of common potty signs you can use to train your eyes (and your kids’) to recognize those early cues.
4. Using Puppy Pads Without a Plan
When we brought Bella home, we started with pee pads inside, but our ultimate goal was to get her to go outside. So, we’d use the pads sometimes and take her outside at other times. It didn’t take long for her to get confused. One minute, we were praising her for using the pad, and the next, we were guiding her to the yard. It sent mixed signals, and she wasn’t sure what we actually wanted.
That said, pee pads can be a smart and safe choice in the beginning—especially if you don’t have access to a safe, private yard. Puppies aren’t fully protected from diseases like parvovirus until they’ve completed all of their vaccinations. If your only outdoor option is a shared space or public area, using pee pads indoors can help keep your puppy safe during those early, vulnerable weeks.
What to do instead:
If you need to use pee pads, keep them in one designated area. Ideally, place them near the door you’ll eventually use to take your puppy outside. This creates a smoother transition later on by teaching them that the general area near the door is where potty happens. Make sure the pads are always accessible, and avoid moving them around, which can confuse your puppy even more. Just be aware that for some puppies, transitioning from pads to outdoor pottying can take extra time and patience.
5. Relying Too Much on the Crate
Crates are incredibly useful tools during potty training—but they’re often misused. I’ve heard many people say, “We’re crate training to potty train our puppy,” as if putting a puppy in a crate alone will magically teach them not to go in the house.
The truth is, crate time isn’t the same as training time. Yes, a crate can help prevent accidents while you’re not watching your puppy. Dogs naturally avoid soiling the space where they sleep, so crating can encourage them to hold it until they’re let out. But if you’re not using that time outside the crate to actively teach your puppy where to go, they’re not learning the full picture.
What to do instead:
Use the crate as a short-term tool to manage your puppy’s behavior when you can’t supervise them. But the real learning happens when they’re out and about—under your watchful eye. That’s when you teach them where it’s okay to go and when to go. If you’re not able to supervise them directly, consider using a gated area or exercise pen where they can move around a bit, but still be observed.
Remember, the crate should never become a place of isolation for long periods. Overusing it can delay training progress and even lead to anxiety. Balance is key—crate only when needed, but make the time outside the crate purposeful.
6. Letting Them Get Distracted Outside
We’ve all been there: You take your puppy outside for a potty break, and instead of doing their business, they’re off exploring. They sniff every blade of grass, chase a blowing leaf, lie down in the sun, or start chewing on a stick. You assume they’re good because they’ve been outside for a while—only to walk back in the house and watch them squat on your rug five minutes later.
It’s frustrating, but also totally normal.
For young puppies, everything outside is exciting—and distracting. They can easily forget why they were brought out in the first place. This is especially true if they associate outdoor time with play or freedom.
What to do instead:
Keep potty breaks short, boring, and predictable. Take your puppy to the same designated potty spot each time so they begin to associate that area with the act of going. Stand still and wait quietly. Don’t talk to them, pet them, or play while you’re waiting. The goal is to help them focus.
Let them walk around a little—movement helps stimulate their digestive system—but keep them in a small area if possible to avoid distractions. If they don’t go within 5–10 minutes, bring them back inside and try again in another 10 to 15 minutes.
Once they do go, that’s the time to celebrate—with praise, treats, or a little play session. Over time, your puppy will learn that pottying first is the key to fun afterward.
7. Forgetting to Celebrate the Wins
When Bella went potty outside for the very first time, we clapped like she just won a gold medal. And honestly? That’s exactly how you should treat it—especially during those early weeks. Puppies are eager to please, but they need clear, immediate feedback to understand what’s right and what’s not.
It’s easy to think, “Oh good, she went!” and move on. Or maybe you plan to reward them once you’re back inside. But by then, the moment’s gone. Your puppy won’t connect the reward with what they just did outside. Instead, they may associate the treat with walking through the door—or just standing in front of you.
What to do instead:
Make a big deal out of successful potty trips. The moment your puppy finishes, immediately offer praise in a happy voice, give them a high-value treat, or engage in quick play. Find out what motivates your pup most and use it to your advantage.
Timing is everything here. The reward needs to come within seconds of them finishing so they make the connection: “I pee outside = good things happen!” This positive reinforcement encourages them to repeat the behavior—and it speeds up training.
Also, be consistent. Every time they go where they’re supposed to, they should get some kind of positive feedback, even if it’s just a cheerful “Yes! Good potty!” It might feel silly, but to a puppy, it’s clear communication.
8. Not Cleaning Accidents Properly
One thing I learned early on with Molly: if you don’t completely clean a spot after an accident, your puppy will go back to it again. And again. It doesn’t matter if you can’t smell it—your dog can. Dogs are guided by scent far more than we are, and if they catch a whiff of their own urine or feces in a certain corner, that spot quickly becomes their new go-to potty area.
Even if the accident happened hours ago or was cleaned with a regular household cleaner, leftover scent molecules can linger—and to your puppy, that’s like a sign that says, “Potty Here!”
What to do instead:
Use an enzymatic cleaner designed specifically for pet messes. These cleaners don’t just cover the smell—they break down the biological components of urine and feces at the molecular level, which is the only way to truly eliminate the scent.
Clean accidents as soon as you spot them, and follow the directions on the cleaner carefully—many require a soak time to work effectively. If the accident happened on carpet or fabric, you may need to repeat the treatment more than once.
And don’t forget to clean any area your puppy almost used but didn’t quite make it. Even a partial attempt near a door or pad can leave behind enough scent to confuse them later.
9. Punishing After the Fact
When you walk into a room and discover a puddle on the floor or a surprise under the dining room table, your first instinct might be to scold your puppy—or worse, point at the mess or drag them over to it to “teach them a lesson.” It’s frustrating, especially when you thought you were making progress.
But here’s the thing: unless you catch your puppy in the act, they won’t make the connection between your reaction and the accident. They might look guilty, but that’s not because they understand what they did wrong—it’s often just a submissive response to your tone or body language.
In reality, you’re not teaching them not to potty in the house—you’re teaching them to be afraid of you finding it. That fear can lead to sneaky behavior, like going in hidden places or waiting until you’re out of sight.
What to do instead:
If you happen to catch your puppy in the middle of an accident, calmly interrupt them with a firm “No” or clap to get their attention. Then immediately take them outside to their potty spot (or over to the pee pad if you are using them). If they finish going there, reward them with praise or a treat.
But if you find an accident after it’s already happened—even just a few minutes later—there’s no point in scolding. Just clean it up thoroughly (with an enzymatic cleaner), take a breath, and refocus on prevention. Ask yourself what might have gone wrong:
- Did you wait too long between potty breaks?
- Did you miss a potty signal?
- Did your puppy have too much unsupervised freedom?
By identifying the cause, you can adjust your approach and avoid repeating the same mistake.
10. Not Taking Time Off to Train
We were lucky—we had the flexibility to be home with Bella during those first few weeks. That dedicated time made all the difference. We were able to get to know her routine, respond to her needs right away, and stay consistent with potty breaks and training.
Not everyone has that luxury, and that’s completely understandable. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned through raising multiple puppies, it’s that the more time and structure you can give them in those first few days or weeks, the faster they learn and adjust. Potty training especially depends on frequent, well-timed breaks and close supervision—things that are hard to manage if your puppy is alone all day.
What to do instead:
If possible, try to be home with your puppy when they first arrive—even if it’s just a long weekend or a few days of adjusted hours. Use that time to build a predictable routine of potty breaks, meals, naps, and play. The more consistency you provide upfront, the more confident and secure your puppy will become.
If taking time off isn’t realistic, plan ahead for help:
- Ask a trusted friend or family member to stop by a few times during the day
- Hire a pet sitter or dog walker to provide potty breaks and social interaction
- Consider adjusting your work-from-home schedule temporarily if that’s an option
Even a midday check-in can make a big difference in avoiding accidents and reinforcing training. And if you do need to leave your puppy for a stretch of time, make sure they’re in a safe, contained area with limited access and have a place they can relive themselves—not loose in the house where accidents can easily happen.
Those early days set the foundation for everything that comes next. The more support and structure you can give your puppy in the beginning, the faster they’ll learn—and the sooner you’ll both settle into a happy routine.
Final Thoughts
Potty training a puppy can feel frustrating at times—but most of the challenges come down to a few simple (and fixable) mistakes. If you recognize yourself in this list, don’t worry—you’re in good company. I’ve made plenty of them myself.
The good news? Puppies are fast learners, especially when we’re consistent, patient, and encouraging. Learn from your missteps, keep showing up, and you’ll both get there—clean carpets and all.
What About You?
Have you made any of these potty training mistakes? Or do you have a tip that worked wonders for your puppy?
Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear what worked (and what didn’t) for you!
We’re all learning as we go, and your experience might just help another new puppy parent.