Behavior
Potty Training a Puppy: The Complete, No-Yelling Guide
The golden rule
Puppies aren't stubborn — they're unfinished. Your job is simple: make outside wildly rewarding and make indoor accidents nearly impossible through supervision. Every accident is information about your management, not their character.
The schedule that works
Out after every sleep, meal, drink and play session — plus every 1–2 hours for young puppies. Go with them, wait quietly, and the instant they finish, throw a small party: praise and a treat on the spot, not back at the door.
Handling accidents
Caught mid-act? A cheerful interruption and straight outside. Found later? Say nothing — scolding after the fact only teaches them to hide it. Clean with an enzymatic cleaner so the scent doesn't invite a repeat.
When to worry
Most puppies are reliable between four and six months with consistency. A trained dog that suddenly regresses deserves a vet check first — urinary infections are common and look exactly like 'being naughty'.
If the day is coming
Ease The Paw coordinates in-home pet euthanasia across South Africa — we find and book the vet, arrange the cremation and handle the keepsakes, so you can simply be present. A flat R950 covers the coordination and your keepsake memorial; the vet and cremation are billed separately at their own rates.
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Celebrate your pet every day
A gentle, private community for pet lovers: share photos, track their care with our breed-aware coach, and lean on us when the time comes.
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