Bringing home a puppy is the same as bringing home a new family member with a unique personality of their own. Puppies have no words to say how they feel, so it's up to you to figure out what their eating schedule should be like. How long after puppies eat should they use the restroom?
A puppy will need to go outside an average of 15 minutes after eating or drinking. The younger and smaller the puppy, the sooner it will need to go. Keep an eye on a puppy's behavioral patterns after mealtime to create a specialized bathroom routine.
To understand how to recognize your puppy's behavioral patterns and the different times you should take your puppy outside, continue reading!
When Should my Puppy go Outside?
There are multiple times a day when your puppy should go outside to use the bathroom, not just after they have their big meal.
After Meals
Your puppy should go outside between 5 to 30 minutes after mealtime, with an average of 15 minutes. This depends on the age, size, and breed of your puppy, so it is crucial to do your personal research on your own breed.
Generally, all puppies should go outside no longer than 30 minutes to go outside after mealtime, but some experts recommend taking your furry friend outside immediately after they eat.
After a Drink of Water
When your puppy drinks water, treat this like a meal. Keep an eye on how your puppy is behaving and take them outside 5 to 30 minutes after they had a drink.
Puppies must go to the restroom during their morning and evening routine, however, there are other times they should go outside which will be helpful for potty training.
After Playtime
Take your puppy outside after playtime! Your puppy's digestive tract will be stimulated and replicate what it feels like to go to the bathroom.
This will help reinforce to your puppy that the outdoors are where they can use the restroom.
After Naps
Treat naps the same as your morning routines. Because puppies are just like small babies, their nap times leave them vulnerable to accidents in the house.
Take your puppy outside right after a nap. (Source)
What is the Best Routine For a Puppy?
Puppies rely on consistency. Their routines must be the same every day, just like a little child, because your dog is in a completely new environment.
This kind of stability will help your new friend feel more relaxed and easier to potty train because of it.
Morning
In the morning, dogs should go outside immediately to use the bathroom.
It is recommended that after going to the bathroom, let your puppy run around or play with you to get their energy out and associate going to the bathroom and time with you as positive.
Feed your puppy by putting your puppy's food down for 15 minutes. After this time, pick up the bowl and wait until the next meal to give them food. This will help your puppy learn good eating habits.
As mentioned before, take your puppy to go outside or to your designated bathroom area after any time they eat. Even if your mornings are busy, making time for your puppy to play, eat, and use the bathroom is how they can start their day happily.
Afternoon
The afternoon is the perfect time for your puppy to take a nap. If you have a designated sleeping spot, crate, or “place”, direct your puppy there. This will help your dog know how to be alone if needed and reduce symptoms of separation anxiety.
After naptime, direct your puppy out to the restroom and let him run around. A puppy's life is simple and mundane, but the consistency and room for play brings them joy.
Evening
Feed your puppy dinner – and you guessed it, take him outside! After this, set your puppy in his crate with a chew toy so that he can learn good manners while your family eats dinner.
It is helpful to set a separate time for your dog to eat so that there is no temptation to feed him human food during dinner. Of course, this routine is up to you and your personal lifestyle. (Source)
Bedtime
As long as your dog's bedtime is consistent, it doesn't matter when he should go to sleep. Dogs sleep 18 to 20 hours away, so no matter what time they may initially fall asleep, they will get their shut-eye at some point throughout the day. (Source)
How do I Know When my Puppy Needs to go Potty?
There are a few key behavioral signs that your pooch shows when they need to use the restroom. Knowing these signs will help potty training.
Sniffing the Ground
One of the most telling signs that your puppy needs to use the restroom is if they are sniffing the floor. Dogs do this to find the perfect place to do their business.
Commonly, if the puppy has had an accident in the house before, they will sniff that same area because they understand that is a safe spot and where they can use the restroom.
If you are keeping a close watch when your puppy is sniffing the ground, you can gently guide them outdoors and begin the process of potty training.
Whining or Barking
While barking can seem annoying, it is our dog's way of communicating with us or getting our attention. While we associate dogs barking at them warning us of intruders, barking can also mean they just need to go outside.
Walking in Circles or Fidgeting
If your dog is walking in circles or moving around excessively, this can mean they need to use the potty.
There are several theories as to why dogs circle before they do their business, one theory is that because dogs go to the restroom on the grass, going in circles moves the grass and any potential predators around.
It could also be the dogs leaving their territorial mark.
Standing by the door
This is usually uncommon for puppies that are younger because they do not understand potty training quite yet, but it's important to note.
If your puppy is pacing by your front or back door, they probably need to go outside.
Cindy is a prolific writer and online researcher who can't imagine life without dogs. There is scarcely a dog topic she has not researched or written about. Her love for dogs and helping dog parents is evident by the thousands of dogtemperament.com visitors who read her articles monthly. Most of all, each topic Cindy writes on helps forge a stronger bond and understanding between her and her happy Catahoula Leopard Dog Jossie.