Best Products for Potty Training Puppies

If you're adding a new puppy or dog to your home, it's best to be prepared! Preventive Vet's certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, Cathy Madson, shares her top picks for house training supplies and training tools. Combine these with rewarding your puppy or new dog for going potty outside, and your house training will be faster and easier for all!

Potty Training Set Up Supplies

These supplies will be helpful when setting up your puppy's crate and puppy play zone to encourage proper potty habits:

MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate

This crate includes the important divider panel, meaning you only need to purchase the size of crate based on your puppy's estimated adult size (rather than buying multiple crates as they grow).

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MidWest Homes for Pets Folding Playpen

These panels can be arranged in a variety of configurations and easily attach to your pup's crate to build a puppy zone.

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Here's an example of how we set up new Preventive Vet puppy Finnegan's crate and puppy zone.

Tuff Mutt Hands Free Leash

If your puppy doesn't go potty when outside, and you need to keep a close eye on them when you're indoors, keep them tethered to you with this hands free leash. This way you can catch any signs that they need to go potty quickly and take them outside again. Buy Similar on Chewy

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Glad for Pets Super Absorbent & Odor Neutralizing Dog Potty Training Pads for Dogs

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Wee-Wee Patch Indoor Potty (Synthetic Grass)

Synthetic grass potty patches can be helpful for potty training in an apartment or during the transition to outdoor-only potty training. I recommend keeping these on a patio rather than inside, as the smell can become a bit overwhelming unless cleaned after every bathroom break.

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Fresh Patch Disposable Dog Potty (Real Grass)

I prefer to use real grass potty patches as they make transitioning to outdoor-only potty training easiest. Nothing like the feel of real grass under your puppy's paws! These also tend to not get as stinky as synthetic grass (but aren't as easily rinsed off). If you choose real grass options, you can set up automatic subscriptions and deliveries.

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Pogi's Pet Supplies Poop Bags with Dispensers

I use these poop bags and I love that they come in bulk and are eco-friendly. The 50-roll pack comes with two bag dispensers you can attach to your puppy's leash.

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Victoper Waterproof Rechargeable Headlamp

Keep a headlamp like this one by your puppy's leash for those middle-of-the-night potty breaks. Being able to see your puppy and whether they've done their business makes these trips much quicker!

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Helpful Potty Training Products

Doggy Doorbells with Adjustable Lengths

Having a way for your puppy to tell you that they need to go outside can prevent potty accidents! Hang these at each door you use to take your puppy outside. Buy Similar on Chewy

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Mighty Paw Smart Bell 2.0

Looking for a more high-tech option than hanging bells? You can teach your puppy to push a button instead, and ideal for puppies that would rather chew on the bells. This also has a variety of sounds to choose from that might catch your attention better than traditional bells.

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Pooch Pads Potty Training Attractant Spray

Using potty attractant spray tends to be hit or miss depending on the puppy. However, if you're using indoor potty pads or grass potty mats, using a spray can help entice your puppy to go in that spot over other areas of your home. If you're only focusing on outdoor potty training, don't worry about using a spray.

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Potty Accident Supplies

There will (unfortunately) be puppy potty accidents! Properly cleaning up any house soiling is important to prevent future accidents in the same spot. Dogs often seek out the scent of previous places they've gone to the bathroom. Use an enzymatic cleaner for best results.

Pro Tip: Whatever you do, don't steam clean first when cleaning up a puppy potty accident. You need to neutralize the odor with enzymatic and bio-based cleaners first. Otherwise, the steam can "set" the stain and odor by permanently bonding the proteins contained in the urine (or poop) to the fibers of your carpet.

Mister Max Anti Icky Poo Cleaner

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Nature's Miracle Advanced Stain & Odor Remover

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Vansky UV Flashlight Pet Urine Detector

Use this blacklight flashlight to locate urine stains around your home that need a deeper clean. This way your pup is less likely to return to those same spots when they need to go potty. Learn how to find potty accidents with a blacklight in this article.

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Top Product Picks for Potty Training

Potty Training Set Up Supplies

Helpful Potty Training Products

Potty Accident Supplies

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