Typically, if your dog is old enough to join the family, they are old enough to start the housebreaking training. Between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks is the ideal time to start potty training your puppy. At that point, they will have enough control over their bladder and bowel movements and will be able to learn to hold it. You don’t want your young dog getting used to going to the bathroom in the wrong places, like in the middle of the kitchen or in the living room corner.

Aside from using any number of potty-training aids for dogs that Petco carries, developing a consistent routine where you take your puppy out every few hours is key. Take them on a leash to the same exact spot outside, and even if they don’t do anything, it’s good for them to get used to going to the same spot over and over.

The house-training process is a patience-testing and time-consuming process. There is no set timetable for when your puppy will be fully potty trained, but it typically takes a puppy between 4 to 6 months. However, the size of your dog can be a predictor. Smaller dogs have smaller bladders and faster metabolisms, so they often require more trips outside, but it’s the opposite with larger dogs. And puppy potty training aids can be beneficial when you start the training process to help make it quicker and easier.

Your puppy should be taken outside as many times as they need to go out. A good rule to follow if your pup is under 6 weeks old is to take them out every 30-45 minutes. And at least every 2 hours. Those intervals increase as your puppy continues to grow. They also should be taken out to their designated potty spot anytime they come out of their crate, wake up from a nap, eat or after a long play session. Remember to take notice of the signs—sniffing, turning around in circles, standing in a corner—that your new pet needs to go.