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Why does my puppy have accidents inside despite knowing better?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Female | 4 months and 17 days old

She know where to potty I praise her whenever she potty outside but at some cases she make inside I don't know what happened once on mat and once while she is walking and once when she ask for going out and a lot of accidents after she did it, she looks guilty and know that what she did is wrong. So why she did it

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on January 10th, 2020

It could be that you are not taking Odesia out often enough. At 4 months, she should be going out at least every 2-3 hours, if not more often, and if she is asking to go out, but having an accident at the door, you likely waited too long (since she can't control how well she holds it yet). Puppies also usually need to go potty after eating, drinking, waking up, playing, etc so taking her out after those activities can give her a chance to go and not have an accident as well.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on November 12th, 2019

    Hi there. If your pup is only a little over two months old, she's much too young to be considered house trained yet - most pups aren't reliable in the house until six months of age or older. So for now, it sounds like you're on the right track. Take her out frequently, and praise and reward with treats when she goes to the bathroom outside. Supervise her closely in the house to prevent accidents. There is no need to punish her, or try to tell her that accidents in the house are "wrong" - she won't understand this, and she may become afraid to potty in front of you, which will make it much harder to get her to potty outside when you walk her. Instead, focus on making sure she gets lots of practice going to the bathroom outside, and prevent accidents by watching her closely and confining her to a crate or puppy-proofed room when you're not able to supervise. Here is an article with more information on how to housetrain your puppy: https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-rules-for-effective-housetraining/

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 12th, 2019

    Hello. You indicate that Odesia is just about 10 weeks of age. She is still a baby, & house training can take weeks to months. So, do not punish her at this age because she can not help it all the time. You must start crate training her so that she learns not to potty where she sleeps, & you can control her whereabouts in the house when you are not with her. If she does not have boundaries, then she will never learn any boundaries. Take her outdoors to potty after she gets up from a nap, before & after she eats & after some indoor play time. As she gets older, you can give her more freedom in the home, but she is just beginning to learn what & where to go. Just have patience, lots & lots of patience. And, if you do catch her in the act of going in the house, scoop her up & rush her out & praise her when she finishes the job outdoors. She will get it pretty soon. Puppies do try our patience, but with time she will learn. Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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