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My new puppy won't potty outside. How do I house train him?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Hello! I have 1 week that I brought my maltese dog home and he is 3mnth old. Im trying to potty train him now &every 2-3 hrs I take him to the toilet. He doesnt go on his own.If I dont get him to the toilet myself he will pee and poop around the house.Every time he does that I take him to the toilet as a punishment, but still I want him to go on his own.Also when I take him out to pee or poop he doesnd do anything,just sniffs, then pees when we get back home. Is this normal, what should I do??

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 2nd, 2017

Congrats on your new dog! I would not punish him for going to the toilet in the house, that will not work to house train him. House training a puppy can takes weeks to months to happen, so patience is needed. It is normal what he is doing, and I will give you a method I recommend for getting him house trained. Start by keeping your puppy on a regular feeding schedule, and taking away his food between meals. Take him out to potty first thing every morning, and once every 30 minutes to an hour. Always make sure he goes out after meals, first thing when he wakes up from a nap, last thing before bedtime at night, and right before you leave the house. Take him to the same spot each time to go potty. His scent there will encourage him to go. Stay with him outside each time he goes to potty, at least until he is fully house trained. When he goes outside, praise him and give him a treat. You might want to consider crate training as part of his house training. It allows you to keep an eye on him for signs that he has to go potty, and will teach him to hold it until you put him outdoors. The crate needs to be big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lie down, but it should not be big enough for him to go potty in.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 25th, 2018

    Great question! It does take time and patience to house train a dog, and I can give you a method for Jax. Start by keeping him on a regular feeding schedule, and taking away his food between meals. Take him out to potty first thing every morning, and once every 30 minutes to an hour. Always make sure he goes out after meals, first thing when he wakes up from a nap, last thing before bedtime at night, and right before you leave the house. Take him to the same spot each time to go potty. His scent there will encourage him to go. Stay with him outside each time he goes to potty, at least until he is fully house trained. When he goes outside, praise him and give him a treat. You might want to consider crate training as part of his house training. It allows you to keep an eye on him for signs that he has to go potty, and will teach him to hold it until you put him outdoors. The crate needs to be big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lie down, but it should not be big enough for him to go potty in. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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