The first reason being that your new puppy can only physically hold it for about the number of hours of his age in months. So a 2-month-old puppy can hold it for 2 hours. That being said, a 2-month-old puppy really shouldn\u2019t need to hold it for more than 2 hours. You can use the principle of hours and months as a guide to help you better judge how often your puppy needs to go out and decrease the number of accidents in the house. <\/p>\n
This guide for the physical retention of a puppy can be applied until about 6 to 8 months of age. However, you should also take into consideration that every puppy is different and that the speed at which your puppy develops can vary greatly depending on his size, breed and individual growth. <\/p>\n
Remember, not only is your puppy unaware of the \u201cright\u201d and \u201cwrong\u201d places to relieve himself, but his ability to physically hold his bladder is not very good (and that\u2019s okay<\/em>!) A puppy\u2019s behaviour is immature, but so is his body! <\/p>\n Another reason to avoid this scenario is that it could trigger several behavioural problems. In other words, forcing a young puppy to be alone for several hours in a small space, when he has just been separated from his family, without having the opportunity to relieve himself without soiling himself, can cause behavioural problems\u2026 This can be difficult for a puppy to live through and can be traumatic. <\/p>\n Common problems in puppies left alone for long periods of time, without an adaptation period and without crate training, are:<\/strong><\/p>\n Alternative solutions:<\/strong><\/p>\n In the end, there are several possible solutions to help a young puppy with potty training, without leaving him in his crate for long hours at the beginning of his training:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Limiting a puppy\u2019s access to water is unfortunately a piece of advice that we still hear when it comes to potty training tips. It seems like a logical solution, but in the end, it\u2019s not a good strategy at all! Here\u2019s why I never recommend it\u2026 <\/p>\n Offering only a limited amount of water can seriously harm your puppy\u2019s health! A young puppy who does not have free access to water can easily become dehydrated and amorphous, which can lead to various health complications. Don\u2019t forget that a puppy is a \u201cbaby\u201d dog. It\u2019s still fragile and sensitive. <\/p>\n Also, this can lead to an obsession with water. When the water-deprived puppy is presented with water or finds a water source on his own, he will literally gorge himself and fill up. This can lead to consequences as trivial as vomiting his water, but can go as far as emergency hospitalization for \u201coverhydration\u201d (his body is drowned by too much water ingested too quickly). <\/p>\n Alternative solutions:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A few years ago, it was accepted and even recommended to punish a puppy that had an accident in the house. Since then, times have changed and it is no longer advisable to punish the puppy when he slips up, even if you \u201ccatch him in the act.\u201d <\/p>\n Punishing the puppy can have the opposite effect to the one desired and can slow down potty training. Most of the time, punishing the puppy makes him not want to do his business in front of his humans. Basically, you end up with a puppy who hides to relieve himself in the house and refuses to do it outside in the yard when you are there with him\u2026 Not very helpful, is it? <\/p>\n Alternative solutions: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress-915455-3177882.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cage-300x173.png\")
<\/p>\n2. Rationing or limiting the amount of water offered to the puppy.<\/span> <\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
3. Chastising the puppy if he slips up and you<\/strong> \u201ccatch him in the act.\u201d <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n