Getting a new puppy can be an exciting experience for the family. However, with this new member of the family, you’ll need to decide if you’ll be litter box training or potty training your Pug outdoors. Learn how to potty train a Pug using the same simple steps I used to train my Pug.
Can Pugs Be Potty Trained?
Yes, these stubborn dogs can be trained. It is going to take a lot of patience, consistent training, and treats to entice your Pug to poop and pee outside.
It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment, condo, trailer, RV, house or etc. You can definitely potty train your new Pug. We’ve put together a huge resource on potty training Pugs to help you get started.
You’ll have a much better experience if you have a brand new puppy as they are easier to train.
However, if you have an older dog and they weren’t properly trained when you got them, they still can be potty trained.
You’ll just need to understand that it may require a little more patience to train an older dog.
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When To Start Potty Training A Pug?
According to dog experts, you’ll want to wait until your puppy can control its own bladder. This means that you should hold off on potty training a pug puppy until they are 12 – 16 weeks old.
If you’ve adopted an older Pug and they are not house trained, you will have to reshape your dog’s behavior using positive reinforcement training to get them to be a well trained Pug.
Pro Tip: Every Pug owner should invest in low-cost pet insurance to avoid high-cost veterinary bills. Get your free quote to see how little it costs to protect your furbaby from unexpected veterinary bills.
7 Steps For House Training A Pug
Are you not sure how to start potty training your Pug? Learn how to potty train any dog in 7 Days or Less!
Feeding Schedule
One of the most important things is to create a regular eating schedule. Feed your black Pug at the same time every day. We fed Mindy at 6:00 A.M. and 5:00 PM every day.
Eventually, it was as if she had an internal belly clock and knew when it was time to eat. This made it extremely easy for us because we have a busy schedule and Mindy’s eating routines fit right into our daily routine.
Potty Schedule
During the beginning of the training period, you’ll want to take your pup out first thing in the morning to eliminate and then once every 30 minutes to an hour. Make sure that you take them outside after eating or waking up from a nap.
Make sure that you take them out late at night before you go to sleep, also if you plan on leaving them alone for a set period.
Eventually, as they start understanding where they can relieve themselves, they will let you know when they need to go out. Although, you’ll still want to make sure you take them out after meals and late at night.
Related: How Long Can A Pug Hold Its Bladder?
Related: Why Do Pugs Eat Their Poop?
Consistency
It can take some Pugs longer to be potty trained than others. One of the best ways to teach your pet this new habit is to develop a regular routine. You can also consider buying a potty-trained Pug. They won’t be completely potty trained, but they will have had some basic training.
If you are consistent with your potty training, they’ll pick up on this habit a lot quicker. Think about yourself when you’re trying to develop a new habit. It takes time maybe a few weeks before it becomes a habit.
It’s no different with your canine friend. They need time to develop this new routine, but with enough time, you won’t have to worry about accidents in your home and they will eventually let you know when they have to go outside.
The great thing is that it’s easier to train a dog than it is for us humans to develop a new habit or routine.
Teach Them A New Command
If you take a puppy outside the first thing they are going to want to do is play. It’s up to you to teach them what you want them to do. The best way to do this is to say “Go Potty” or “Pee Pee.”
At first, they won’t understand a thing that you’re saying and all they’ll want to do is play. Just keep repeating the word and before you know it whenever you say the word inside they’ll get excited if they need to relieve themselves.
We used the command “Go Potty” with Mindy
Give Them A Reward
Everyone loves treats and your black Pug is no different. Whenever they relieve themselves outside, you’ll want to make sure that you give them a treat right afterward.
Eventually, they will understand that when they use the bathroom outside, they will get a treat. Eventually, you’ll want to stop giving them a treat and just say “good girl” or “good boy” so they don’t gain too much weight.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Unfortunately, accidents happen whether you’re training a puppy or child. A puppy is like a child and sometimes they will just hold their bladder too long without letting you know they need to go outside because they don’t want to miss anything.
The best way to get this stubborn breed to do something you want is to use positive reinforcement training.
Your black Pug wants to please you and they will know that they did something bad.
We had maybe 3 accidents total with Mindy and 2 of those were my fault because I didn’t take her out when I should’ve. Just make sure that you have an enzyme cleaner to clean up urine and stool.
Be Patient
It could take up to 3 months for your puppy or dog to be trained. As a fur baby parent, it’s up to you to be patient and give them the time they need to pick up the new habit.
As long as you are consistent with the training, they will eventually learn where you want them to relieve themselves. Potty training a Pug in a high rise apartment may take longer than living in a house or regular apartment, so it’s important to remember that.
Why You Should Consider Crate Training Your Black Pug
As I mentioned above, we chose to crate train our Pug. As soon as we purchased Mindy, we stopped by PetsMart to purchase a crate that she would eventually learn to love.
These are some of the best crates for Pugs that will make training so much easier, on both you and your puppy.
We put her bed and her favorite plush toy inside the crate and it became her second home. She slept in it, and when we left the house, we would lock her in the kennel.
Eventually, all we had to do was tell her to “go inside” or “go to bed” and she would go into her kennel. We wouldn’t even lock the door because she wouldn’t come out of it until she saw us come home or get up in the morning.
If you properly train them with the kennel and make it a great experience, your Pug will learn to love their kennel. It will become their own little place and give them a sense of security.
Not to mention, it will make learning how to train a Pug indoors a lot easier and stress-free for you.
Signs Your Puppy Needs To Use The Toilet
Don’t worry, your puppy will let you know when they need to go outside to pee by whining, circling, sniffing, following you around, or even barking.
It’s up to you to be able to spot the signs and take them out immediately so they can relieve themselves.
What To Expect When Potty Training A Pug Puppy?
Accidents are going to happen during the puppy house training period. New puppies will continue to have accidents until they are at least a year old. Read this article to learn how to potty train a Pug puppy indoors.
The Right And Wrong Way To Potty Training A Pug Puppy
It’s easy to get frustrated when house training a dog or puppy. I get it, no one wants their pet to soil in their house.
However, you should avoid using these tactics while house training a Pug, regardless of age.
- Never punish your dog by rubbing their face in the waste, hitting, kicking, yelling or etc. This will just cause them to become fearful of you. In turn, they will continue to have accidents in the house and try hiding them so you don’t see them.
- When an accident occurs, pick the puppy up and take them outside immediately.
- If you catch them in the act, clap loudly and this will let them know they did something they shouldn’t have. Once you have their attention, call them outside so they can finish their business. When they are done, give them a treat and praise to let them know they did something you approve of.
- Always clean up the accidents immediately using an enzyme cleaner as opposed to an ammonia-based cleaner. It will help eliminate odors so your pooch won’t be tempted to soil in the same spot.
There’s a right way and a wrong way to discipline a Pug. Make sure you’re doing it correctly if you want to see positive results.
How To Train A Pug To Poop And Pee Outside?
Most people want to train their dog to poop and pee outside and not in the house. The best way to do this is to start training your puppy to go outside from an early age.
This means that you’re not going to lay down pee pads, otherwise your pup will start going in the house. Instead, you’re going to want to set up a regular routine to take your puppy outside so they will learn how to take care of their business outside.
The easiest way to get them to understand what you want, is to take them to the same spot everyday and give them a command like “go pee” or “go poop” and eventually your furbaby will realize that you want them using the bathroom outside not inside.
How To Potty Train A Pug Indoors
Maybe you live in an apartment complex in the city where your puppy doesn’t have access to a yard? Or maybe you have a senior Pug that can no longer go outside to take care of their business?
The best way to train your Pug to go bathroom indoors is to invest in a good litter box or puppy pads to lay around your home. You may want to consider indoor potty training a senior Pug, especially, if they have mobility issues.
Just like outside training, you will teach your dog that they can take care of their business in that one spot. It’s going to require consistent training, but eventually, your pooch will learn where they can go to the toilet in the house.
Be sure to check out some of the best litter boxes for Pugs to make your life easier.
Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to train your Pug, this training kit can help you get your dog to behave the way you want. Even if you’ve never trained a dog, you’ll learn how to teach your dog the basics!
At What Age Should A Pug Be Fully Potty Trained
This answer will vary from dog to dog and breed to breed. If you get a Pug as a puppy, they can be fully potty trained in about 2-3 months, as long as you maintain a potty training schedule.
If you have an older dog that has always soiled in the home or lived in a kennel and has never been properly house trained. They will continue to soil indoors until they are properly trained.
Unfortunately, you’ll find it easier to train a new puppy that hasn’t developed any bad habits.
Housebreaking A Stubborn Pug
The most important thing to remember is that consistency is the most important thing when you’re trying to train your new family member.
If for some reason your Pug is still not refusing to learn how to use the bathroom outside after being consistent with training. You may want to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to ensure that they do not have any health issues.
Many people have asked, “are girl dogs easier to potty train?” The answer is yes, female dogs tend to be easier to housebreak.
If you have a male PUg, they may require more training, so stick with your regular training routine and don’t give up.
Are There Any Pug Training Secrets?
While Pugs are not the easiest dog to potty train, it can be done if you stay consistent and persistent with your training. Most people will have no trouble training their new pet, while others will struggle with this stubborn breed.
If this is your first time owning a Pug or dog for that matter. Then this puppy training kit by Karen Pryor. The kit will help ensure that you properly train your pooch using clicker training, which is one of the best ways to get the results you desire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pugs Easy to Potty Train?
Pugs are known for their stubborn temperament, so it will take a lot of patience and a regular routine to train your puppy. That being said, this breed wants to please their human owner and as long as you stick with a regular routine, it won’t take very long to potty train your Pug.
Final Take Away
House training a pug Puppy or adult dog can be challenging. The great thing about this breed is that they want to please their owner.
Just like potty training a child, your pooch will eventually learn what you expect of them. Before long, they’ll be going potty outside instead of inside and you’ll both be happy!
References And Further Reading
AKC – Puppy Potty Training Timeline And Tips