One thing to remember when you get your new puppy is this: he or she is a baby.  You cannot expect babies to be already trained right when you bring them home. That will be YOUR job. 

Think of your baby as a real baby.  Human children are not yet ready to potty train until they reach a certain age - about a year and a half, give or take (of course, a Pom baby is ready WAY before then...).
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However, puppies are similar to human babies in the fact that potty training is a factor of developmental readiness. They have baby bladders that do not hold very much. Their muscles are still developing, and they are learning to control them - you can see this demonstrated by their coordination with running, jumping, etc.  ​​

When can I start training my puppy?

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You can start training your baby as early as eight weeks. They are receptive to love, guidance, and gentle care.  

Our babies have some outdoor training and begin training themselves by following their mama around (about six weeks or so).  They will still have accidents inside, but they learn very quickly to go outside like mama.

How do I begin?

Begin by taking your baby outside very frequently.  We suggest every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your baby.  ​​​Take him out immediately after he wakes up, after eating, and after drinking.  If your baby start "looking for a place", take him out.  At first, he will want to play instead of "go", and often will relieve himself once back inside.  Yes, this is very frustrating, but be patient.  Patients brings success.

We also recommend using puppy potty pads as a safe alternative.  Yes, most will need to be shown this "ok" place as well.  Just remember, you are training a baby.  ​​

When should my puppy be trained fully?

This will depend on your specific dog.  ​​​It depends on how often you're home, how often you take them out, your expectations, and their receptiveness to you.  Usually, the puppy is trained fully around five to six months.  Some may be earlier and some may be later.  If we are home and can take them out, they train sooner than if we are not home as much...(usually six to seven months).  Again, make sure they have potty pads available and never punish them for using them.  It is the best alternative to carpet, etc.  

 

Should I use a play pen as a crate?

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In our house when we cannot keep an eye on them due to other tasks that need to be done, We like to put them in a very large play pen so they are able to still have an area to play and explore. Until your puppy is trained at least to the potty pads we recommend crating them at night as its more confined, they tend to not do their business where they sleep.

Should I crate train my puppy?

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This depends on you.  Ask yourself how often can you take out your puppy?  Puppies that do not have a crate to train with will have more accidents unless you are VERY vigilant.  Many people do prefer to crate train because usually, dogs don't like to mess in their "area".  ​​Little ones still don't have the bladder control to hold it for long periods of time, so accidents will still happen.  Puppies should never be kept in a crate for long periods of time except through the night.  Kennels should also never be used as a punishment.  It is a safe place where the dog sleeps; it is a space to call her own.  However, if you cannot keep an eye on your puppy (or you need a little break), you can put them in the crate for a little while so that they are safe while you do what you need to do.  (Puppies left unattended can tear up many things... electric chords, carpet, etc.)