How your pup learns where to "go" (and what you can do to help)

Nov 12

If you’ve ever stood in your backyard at 10 p.m., whispering “go potty” while your puppy looks at you like you’ve lost your mind… welcome to the club.

Potty training is a mix of patience, timing, and celebrating the tiniest wins—and one of the first ways you and your pup start to really understand each other.

And while there are pages and pages of potty training advice online, I’ve never found one that helps you understand it from the beginning.

So, while this post might be a little more… frank than your average 3-step how-to, I hope it gives you the “aha” moment you’ve been looking for. Because at Olive Branch, we’re all about family—and sometimes, family has to talk about poop.

It all starts with the mama

Pups are born pretty helpless. Because their stay in mama’s tummy is only about nine weeks, they aren’t as fully formed as human babies. One of the biggest differences? Newborn pups can’t relieve themselves on their own.

That’s where mama steps in.

She licks her pups to help them pee and poop. I know—it’s not exactly the glamorous side of puppy life, but that’s nature doing her job.

Why do you need to know this? Because it means potty training starts long before you ever bring your pup home. From the very beginning, pups are wired to keep their sleeping and eating areas clean.

At Olive Branch, we work with that instinct. As soon as our pups are about two weeks old, we introduce a separate potty space, and as they grow, we gradually expand their world—enough to sleep, play, and eat, but not enough to confuse those clean habits.

So by the time they’re scampering around your living room, they already understand one of life’s great lessons: there’s a place for play and a place for potty.

Bringing it home

Once your pup comes home, they already have the foundation—they want to keep their space clean. Your job is simply to show them where “outside” begins.

From day one, start taking your pup to their designated potty spot outdoors. Every meal, nap, and play session ends with a quick trip there. This routine helps your pup connect the dots: this is where I go.

If you’re in an apartment or don’t have a yard, a small square of artificial turf on your patio works beautifully. It gives them the feeling of grass under their paws while reinforcing that potty happens outside, not on a carpet inside.

As your pup gets the hang of it, this is also the perfect time to introduce potty bells—a simple, gentle cue that helps them tell you when they need to go out. Hang them on the door, ring them every time you head outside, and before long your pup will start ringing them for you (some of our pups have gotten SO good at the bells they ring when they want to go play in the yard… we’ll still call it a win though!).

A few golden rules to keep in mind:

Consistency is everything. Take them to the same spot, every time, until it’s second nature.
Supervision saves the day. If your pup starts circling or sniffing in tight loops, that’s your cue to scoop them up and head out. If they start to squat, you can clap loudly in hopes of surprising them into holding it for another 30 seconds or so.

Timing matters. Expect a potty break every 20–30 minutes while awake, plus after naps, meals, and play.
Celebrate every win. A cheerful “yes!” or a treat after a potty success builds confidence and makes learning faster.

Why we skip the pads

We know potty pads seem convenient—but they send a mixed message. They tell your pup it’s okay to potty inside the home, even if it’s “just this one spot.”

Instead, think long-term: your goal is to help your pup understand that potty happens outdoors. Pads slow down that clarity.

If you truly can’t get outside quickly (like in a high-rise), that’s where artificial turf comes to the rescue again. It mimics the feeling and smell of grass, helping your pup transition smoothly once outdoor walks become routine.

Crate comfort and nighttime potty

Your crate isn’t just a training tool—it’s your pup’s den, a safe, cozy space where they naturally don’t want to soil their bedding. Start by choosing a crate that’s just big enough for your pup to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably. Too much space, and they may decide one corner makes a fine bathroom.

For nighttime, keep the crate near your bed so you can hear when they stir. Most young puppies need at least one potty break in the middle of the night—especially under 12 weeks old. Quietly carry them out, no playtime or fuss, then back to bed.

Gradually, as their bladder matures, that 2 a.m. potty trip will disappear. The first morning you wake up with no interruptions? That’s your cue to celebrate—you’re officially through the hardest part.

When there’s a setback

Accidents will happen. Even the best-trained pups have off days — especially when they’re teething, over-tired, or adjusting to something new in their routine.

When it does happen, don’t panic. Just calmly clean the spot with an enzyme cleaner (it breaks down scent markers so your pup doesn’t think, “Oh, this must be the bathroom now!”). Then take a deep breath, and go right back to your routine.

The key is to treat setbacks as information, not failure. If your pup keeps having accidents in the same spot, they might be telling you they need more frequent breaks, or that area just “feels” like a potty zone to them. Small tweaks — like closing off that area or resetting your timing — can get things back on track fast.

And remember: progress with puppies rarely happens in a straight line. Some days you’ll feel like you’re raising a genius, and the next, you’ll be wiping up a surprise puddle. Both are normal. Both mean you’re doing it right.

The Olive Branch Way

At Olive Branch, we believe potty training isn’t about control — it’s about communication. You’re teaching your pup how to live comfortably in your world, one tiny success at a time.

If you keep showing up with patience, love, and consistency, your pup will get it. And before you know it, you’ll be the one bragging, “She rings the bells every time!” — while secretly missing those 10 p.m. potty standoffs under the stars.

Keep the calm going

Potty training and calm training go hand in hand—both teach your pup to slow down, think, and trust.
Learn the “Sit on the Dog” exercise here →
It’s one of our favorite tools for helping pups settle their energy and build that peaceful confidence that lasts a lifetime.