If you’re putting your puppy outside regularly and they’re still having accidents indoors, it might feel like nothing’s working. The problem isn’t your effort—it’s what your puppy isn’t learning during those unsupervised breaks.
Being Outside Isn’t Potty Training
Wandering the yard doesn’t teach your puppy where, when, or how to potty. Without supervision, structure, or rewards, they’re just… outside. No lessons. No associations. No progress.
What They’re Missing
To build real potty skills, your puppy needs to learn four specific concepts:
- Where TO potty — not just “outside,” but a specific area, reinforced consistently
- Where NOT to potty — indoors must always be off-limits
- When to go — taught with a consistent cue
- How to tell you — signaling they need to go is a teachable behavior
A Real-Life Example: Chico
Chico’s family genuinely tried—they gave him plenty of outdoor time, hoping it would solve the problem. But when he came to stay with me and had multiple indoor accidents, it became clear: Chico hadn’t learned what pottying outside actually meant. He wasn’t trained—he was just outside when nature called.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many puppies don’t struggle because they’re stubborn—they struggle because they haven’t been shown what to do in a way that sticks.
Want the full backstory?
Chico’s experience highlights how common this is—and how small shifts in routine can lead to big wins.
Read the full article on Medium
That’s why I created the Potty Training Troubleshooting Flowchart.
It’s the same process I walk through with clients to fix accidents and build reliable routines from the ground up.
Download the Potty Training Troubleshooting Flowchart
Also see:
The 4 Critical Potty Training Concepts Your Puppy Has to Learn
Top 10 Potty Training Mistakes That Sabotage Progress
Cyndi Smasal, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer / Integrative Pet Specialist
Author, Pet Nutrition Specialist and Pet Care/Health Coach
About Cyndi Smasal
Cyndi is the founder and Chief Dog Lover of Pawtastic Pet Solutions.
She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and has been doing in-home dog training since 2016.
Cyndi has a broad set of skills, knowledge and experience spanning two decades. She calls herself an Integrative Pet Specialist. Prior to being a dog trainer, Cyndi authored two books, studied canine nutrition and natural pet care.
For the past 18 years, Cyndi has turned her love of one dog, Norman (the subject of her first book), into a passion for all dogs. She’s helped thousands of pet parents through her books and hundreds have consulted with her about their own dogs.