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Indoor Potty Training Puppies

The First step to having a house trained dog!


Most families are amazed at how easy their Habibi Bear is to house train in comparison to other puppies they have raised, thanks to our potty box training while they are with us. We have spent decades studying hundreds of puppies and teaching them a correct place to go potty.  This is the first step toward house training. Your Habibi Bear will be several steps ahead of most puppies in that they have already learned the concept of eliminating in a designated area. 

What is potty/Litter Box Training?

Overview of Training
Potty box training is not just for cats, and is indeed possible with puppies!  It has been a series of trial and error to understand what method will work best with puppies, and how they think.  Dogs are pack and den animals similar to their distant relatives the wolves.  They prefer to eliminate in a specified area if given the opportunity.  We have developed a system of training our puppies that is patterned after the way wolves teach their young.  By creating a separate 'whelping area' and 'weaning area'  the puppies learn to eliminate away from their bed.   In our home, we use a whelping box to create this area---it has a separate whelping side, and  weaning side.  We introduce them to the potty box in three stages, appropriate to their age and development.  The puppies naturally want to be clean, so our system works very well!   The fact that our mommy dogs also use potty boxes helps too, as she will teach them to go in the box, while keeping the whelping area clean during this initial stage.   As puppies start to understand  eliminating in the potty box, we are able to give them more space to explore, and once they master that area, they finally graduate to the third stage, and have full access to the entire puppy pen (as seen in our videos and pictures) This is when they are now ready to go to their forever homes, and the pen area will be duplicated for a stress-free transition.

Below are the puppy essentials we recommend purchasing to make the easiest, stress-free transition for puppy--- from our home to yours.   When duplicating our puppy pen area, you are able to keep the puppy in a safe environment until it is older and has a stronger immune system.   We feel that the first month in the forever home, a puppy is not quite developmentally ready to begin regimented house training, and puppy still needs to be isolated from unknown dogs for risk of catching parvo or other diseases.  Use this time to bond, allowing puppy to become acclimated to you and your household before serious training begins.  We have given them a wonderful head start and have worked very hard to teach them valuable potty skills!

Potty Box Choices
One of the biggest challenges as a breeder in rearing puppies is dealing with their mess. Yep, it is challenging keeping those fluffy little puppies CLEAN. The old method of raising puppies involves lining the floor with newspaper and constantly picking up poo all day long. You can imagine how often you are bathing babies when they end up stepping and rolling in their messes all the time!

After years of being fed up with the mess, we researched several methods, we follow  the Misty Method, yet have tweaked it to fit our needs and set up.

Potty Box Training. This is the cornerstone of our successful potty training system featured in our Habibi Method program.  All the puppies are potty box trained.  We use a pee pad system, either Brilliant Pad or Little Wolves  as they have been the most successful product for us; so ask us which option the puppy is accustomed to before purchasing something else. Any change will confuse puppy. Many families ask if they have to use a an indoor potty forever. The answer is, "it is completely up to you!" The beauty of this method is that we have taught your puppy there is a specific place to eliminate. This training makes the transition to going outdoors a breeze for our families, as the puppies have already mastered the indoor potty box concept in their puppy safe pen.  Many families have their dogs cross trained, meaning they use an indoor potty box and also go outdoors. Some families live in RVs, High Rise apartments or simply choose to use the litter box exclusively. Which house training method you choose for your home is your choice, and we provide assistance to all of our families with our 7 day schedule and a specific 2 week house training plan (included in your puppy packet when you bring home your puppy), for those that want to teach their dog to go outside exclusively.

Are  Habibi Bears completely housebroken at 8 weeks old?  Heaven's no, but they are leaps and bounds ahead of the average puppy.   Many families report back that their puppy has very few accidents if any, so while we would love to boast they are housebroken, the reality of it is they are still babies, they can still regress.  Cleanliness and routine will make all the difference in how well your puppy is house broken.

Human's Guide to the Dog Galaxy Course
Our New Habibi Method Program covers house training, crate training, and puppy biting as part of the foundation program: Human's Guide to the Dog Galaxy
This course is a must have for anyone bringing a puppy home.  We have written step by step formulas to set you up for success on that transitional phase.  This comes with every puppy enrolled in Pup Start Training, or is available to purchase separately.  
 

Using a Potty box helps acclimate puppies to going potty in a specific spot, ultimately transitioning outside at the correct developmental milestone.

Our potty training system

As a breeder, keeping pups clean is a constant challenge and the older they get, the messier they are. My typical day is filled with continuous cleaning and washing bedding to prevent accidents and keep things spotless. Pups go potty where they smell waste- so even when they poo in the right spot- if they step in it, roll in it, etc,  the bedding gets soiled too. Then they all start going potty on their bedding instead of in the litter box.  I used litter boxes and paper pellets for decades, and the constant sweeping was..... exhausting.  Stepping on a pellet with barefeet, well that was a daily experience.  I was so tired of the mess!  There had to be another cleaner solution.


At Habibi Bears, we are highly focused on meeting puppies needs FIRST.  That means we don't push them too fast, and we follow a holistic puppy-centric approach that is guided by when the puppy meets milestones, we then advance.  We don't advocate for stressful crate training right away, but instead taking a slower approach that is much less stressful, and allows a puppy to master their area in their own time.   How do we do that. Well, we train our puppies to a litter box- Brilliant Pad
or Little Wolves and the pups do great!  When they head to their new homes, you can either use the same system or you can give  "The Bark Potty" a try!  It's pawfect for single dog homes!  We've tested many different systems and used litter boxes with pellets for decades, but in 2023, I found new products that I can stand behind.  Let's go over them:


The brilliant pad

I really love this product, it is SO easy to use. For a home with adult dogs, this would also be ideal. It is very well made, works like a dream, and I had no issues with the app or learning how to operate it.  We use it with the younger puppies and the Little Wolves interchangeably. 

I'm genuinely impressed with this product; it's incredibly user-friendly. It's not only suitable for homes with adult dogs but also highly versatile. The quality is top-notch, and its performance is exceptional. I encountered no difficulties with the accompanying app or in learning how to use it. We seamlessly incorporate it with both our younger puppies and the Little Wolves. The Brilliant Pad comes equipped with a convenient app that monitors your dog's activity, automatically progresses the pads, and offers a subscription service for replacement rolls. The company's dedication and support are truly remarkable, and I'm thoroughly enamored with this product.
Review:

Little Wolves Pad Holder

This is an absolute no-brainer solution. Incredibly user-friendly, it's a breeze for both breeders handling litters of puppies and families. Daily cleanup is a cinch, making it exceptionally straightforward, hygienic, and user-friendly. Our puppies are already accustomed to this setup, ensuring a seamless transition for your new furry family member. No more dealing with messy paper pellets, and your puppies will stay clean, which is a definite WIN! Crafted by a breeder who truly understands the challenges, this product is thoughtfully sized, allowing for easy cleaning, even in your laundry tub if necessary, far superior to scrubbing dog grass. We've extensively tested various alternatives, including wire shelving over trays, and this solution stands out as truly exceptional. It's the perfect fit for 22-inch pads, and a simple wipe-down of the grate is all it takes to keep it in excellent condition.
Order Link


Bark Potty

The company is awesome to work with, and they sent us two Bark Potties to try. Score! It arrived quickly and was packaged beautifully. The potty is disposable cardboard lined inside to prevent leaking. It's filled with natural Bark and the top is covered with a mesh netting to prevent messes and digging. It even has doggy potty bags that dispense on the side so you can easily pick up waste as you would on a walk!  So cool!

OUR EXPERIENCE WITH BARK POTTY
I happened to have 7 week old pups who had never seen or used one- so this was a tough test. They immediately went to it after setting it up in a smaller X-Pen, to help them adjust to the new potty (as pictured). Within seconds, they were peeing on it and we had a couple poo accidents beside the potty. Hey- that's an impressive first try for the little tykes. By the second morning, we had all pups successfully using the Bark Potty. Not a single accident, and the puppies adapted effortlessly.  
I was concerned that starting out this late in the game would include some chewing on the cardboard or ripping up the netting.  They sniffed around and explored, tried to chew some bark  ( as all pups do at this age- no biggie, once they have a taste they stop.  They all do this with the pine pellets as well).
Some clients have reported their puppies ripped the mesh or bark, but with consistent redirection they overcame this and used it reliably.  We have many clients who continue to use the Bark Potty for their adult dogs.  
Final opinion? It's a yes for homes with one or two dogs, and I highly recommend to our clients! 


Potty Training Puppy Apartment

The perfect transition from our home to yours:
We're wholeheartedly embracing this approach because it nurtures young puppies without causing any undue stress, especially given their underdeveloped bowel and bladder control. This method instills in them the notion of a designated area for elimination, progressing through a seamless three-step process where your pup will eventually seek out the Potty Apartment, akin to how a cat behaves. The Puppy Apartment even includes a training DVD for your convenience. Drawing from my personal experience and the reason for my endorsement is quite straightforward: it offers a clear separation between the floor and the bed, eliminating any potential confusion for the puppy. Unlike using potty pads on the floor without proper containment, which often perplexes dogs and leads them to assume that all rugs are fair game as potty spots.
Order Link (Use code HABIBI) to receive a discount on your order 

Potty Training Puppies at Habibi Bears

Puppy Pen: Your Pup's Bedroom


Exercise Pens 
Over the years we have used several types, styles, and it is a personal preference what you purchase.  As with all styles, there are pros and cons.

Depending on if you plan to use the pen for the long term, you will need to consider the height and style, as puppies can use the cross bars as steps to climb out.   Many families have made tops for their pens out of simple plastic lattice from Home Depot and tied it in place.  Others have decided to invest in a taller pen.  Here are a few options

Wire Pens

We love the wire pens and set them up in a square or rectangular shape with the crate attached.  Just make sure there isn't a way for puppy to use the crate as a stepping stoop to hop out.  We like to have that part against a wall for that reason.  This set up is great because you don't loose valuable play space for puppy by attaching the pen to either side of the crate.
Potty Training Puppies at Habibi Bears
Little Wolves potty training  puppies at Habibi Bears

Iris Plastic Pens

(2 options)

(note, this photo shows our our system with Little Wolves) We use these most the time with our pups! Listed in our Amazon Store, (featured on our litter box set up page).  They are the perfect fit for the litter box!  They are available in two sizes, small and large.

Large Iris: (for climbers or standards)This size is larger, and if you purchase a single pen, it will create a square shape, instead of the rectangle we show with a smaller size. It is pretty tall, so reaching in to scoop the litter box is more challenging, but we simply open one panel by sliding out the pin that holds the panels together. In the beginning, this size is perfect for a mini puppy, but for long term, the additional panels will  create a 4 x 8 size, giving your dog more room to run and play. 

Small Iris: If you purchase the smaller size it will make the exact set up we use here.  Perfect 3 x 6 area to accommodate the litter box and crate easily. You will need to order two extra panels (come in a set) to make the pen the correct size of 3 x 6, as the single pen is too small for your puppy to get the exercise required.

Topper for your Pen

Management is key! We want to prevent this from happening, so think ahead, once they learn to climb...you can't unring that bell.  Some puppies do learn to climb out, so making a topper out of lattice is something to consider. 

A simple hinged topper was a suggestion submitted by the Geoffroy Family.  They had the lattice cut into two sections, hinged it to pieces of wood so it can be opened easily for cleaning, and zip tied in place, with the opened side closed with reusable zip ties.  We have found using the kennel pins to work great as well, and we use these for anything and everything in our home!
potty training puppy apartment - potty training puppies

Dog Crates: Your Puppy apartment

Our approach to crate training prioritizes compassion and avoids any aversive techniques that may cause discomfort or deprivation for your puppy. We believe in guiding your young pup through their developmental milestones with care and consideration, using the Potty Training Puppy Apartment (use code: HABIBI for a discount!)  which ensures they have access to a designated potty area and never experience water deprivation to expedite the training process. Paired with our compassionate crate training protocols outlined in our "Human's Guide to the Dog Galaxy course, complete with user-friendly flowcharts designed to align with your puppy's individual pace, you can expect a seamless transition.

We've thoughtfully designed step-by-step charts and a comprehensive process to make the journey as straightforward as possible. Choosing the right crate is a crucial step to ensure your puppy feels secure and comfortable in their den, which is essential for their well-being and rest. 

Upon bringing your puppy home, you'll follow the Potty Training Puppy Apartment DVD protocols, which come included with your puppy apartment, setting your new companion up for success. It's worth noting that many families, including us, have dogs that are cross-trained, meaning they are adept at both outdoor potty trips and using a litter box.

But what size crate do you need?  Follow the charts at Modern Puppy

Benefits of Welcoming an Indoor Potty Trained Puppy


We've simplified the process for you! Beginning from as early as week three of their development, we introduce the concept of a designated potty area to our puppies. During their time with us, we ensure that each puppy hits these crucial milestones.

  • Promotes Cleanliness: Indoor potty training instills the value of cleanliness in your puppy, a fundamental aspect of their training that sets them up for success.
  • Avoid Setbacks: Our experience has taught us the importance of this training. Puppies from breeders who bypassed this critical step often struggle to understand the need for a designated elimination spot, resulting in significant training setbacks. They miss the opportunity to learn during essential puppy development stages.
  • Smooth Outdoor Transition: Puppies naturally gravitate toward using a single spot, making the transition to outdoor training a breeze.
  • Compartmentalized Experience: Products like the Potty Training Puppy Apartment, Brilliant Pad, Bark Potty, and Little Wolves potty box facilitate the training process. By stepping onto these designated areas, puppies easily grasp the concept of a designated potty space. In contrast, using pads on the floor can confuse puppies, leading them to believe that rugs are also acceptable potty spots.
  • Eliminates Mess: Bid farewell to newspapers, litter boxes, messy pellets, or torn pee pads. The Little Wolves system contains the pad beneath a wire screen to prevent tearing, while the Brilliant Pad includes a bitter apple spray to discourage pad destruction while making your life easy with automated pad dispensing and monitoring your puppy via their app. The Bark Potty uses a containment system involving cardboard and plastic mesh, making the experience neat and convenient.
Choosing an indoor potty trained puppy means you can enjoy a cleaner, more streamlined training process, setting your new companion up for success from the very beginning.

My Final thoughts 


Enjoy the ease of disposability with Bark Potty - Monthly SubscriptionSimply toss it and replace it using our convenient delivery system. It's important to note that some puppies may initially show interest in chewing on the box or attempting to pull the bark out. Consistency in redirecting their attention is key, and over time, they tend to lose interest.  This product requires daily picking up of poop, and then dumping it when it is saturated with urine.  Depending on your dog's size, this can be as soon as two weeks or a month.  While this option may not be the ideal solution for a whole litter of puppies, it proves wonderful for individual dogs in their homes. Managing a whole litter together can be more challenging.

Little Wolves – A One-Time Investment
Little Wolves offers a one-time investment where you purchase a pack of pads monthly. Overall, it presents the best value, with no mess to worry about as the poop falls through the grate or can easily be picked up from the top- and you simply toss the pad once or twice a day.  We love the non-tracking that can be associated with traditional pee pads or Bark Potty if you are not present to pick up the poop immediately.  The product is well-made and easy to maintain, making it a preferred choice for many. We use Little Wolves with our puppies and absolutely love it!

Brilliant Pad – Self-Cleaning Convenience
Although Brilliant Pad may have a higher upfront cost, it boasts self-cleaning capabilities, making it an excellent choice for single or two-dog households.  Our adult dogs in the teacup and miniature sizes are using this and it is the most amazing timesaver, keeps our place clean and I love not having to change out pads daily.  You can set the BP to advance your pads after every poop or pee, or after so many poops or pees, or manually advance the pad.  It can be more challenging with a lively litter of puppies who were not introduced at a young age, as they may try to rip the pad. In such cases, we recommend alternating with Little Wolves if the puppies attempt to tear the pads. Staying nearby to supervise and spray with deterrent spray often deters pad damage, but if you need to step out, monitoring the app for notifications can help prevent any mischief.

Potty Training Puppy Apartment – A Gentle and Comprehensive Solution
The Potty Training Puppy Apartment offers a holistic approach to crate training and potty training. We fully endorse this kind and gentle process of training a puppy. This solution is ideal for all our families, especially if you opt for the medium size, which accommodates the use of Little Wolves in the potty pad area without any tearing involved, resulting in a double win for your training needs.

human guide to the dog galaxy course - complete puppy raising program

This PROGRAM is written to assist in the transitional phases of bringing home a new puppy, in a loving kind manner.  We created handouts with flow charts to follow through the potty training process.  Combined with using a potty box until puppy reaches each milestone, you incrementally get to a place where they naturally have no need for the box and their little bladder and bowel control is fully online.  Its a kind method that removes all the stress and pressure to have your puppy trained too young.  We all know how it was with our own babies, it takes time, and let's face it... they are babies.  We love using a potty box combined with management ( aka pens, baby gates and crates) to guide our little puppies in a kind manner.  

 

Note on transitions for new families

We have found that all puppies tend to regress or have setbacks throughout the training process.  Especially the first few days in their new home, or at different developmental stages. If you find your puppy (who was using their potty like a champ) begins to have accidents, there is probably a reason for this.  

  • The  Potty needs to be cleaned: It needs to be kept clean so they have enough room to walk around and potty in a clean area

  • Have you cleaned the floor and bedding well so there is no residual odor from accidents? Puppies go where they smell any feces or urine.  Many times when they have accidents, it's simply because they stepped in their potty and tracked it to the bedding.  I keep lots of old towels and blankets around and switch them out often! We recommend using Nature's Miracle for cleaning odors.

  • Have you changed the set up?  Have you made the area bigger? This is another trigger for regression. They are little babies and tend to really thrive on all things familiar.  They need to master small areas and slowly have more freedom when they have proven they have mastered the small space FIRST.   Make the area smaller for a day, and see if that helps.  IF not, then you decide to either make the set up as it was before, or graduate to outdoor training.
  

Regression Quick Fix

Here is a quick fix to help remind puppy which is the proper place to go.  Puppies are easily confused, so it is a good idea to address this asap.  We recommend limiting the puppy's area for a day.  Close up the pen so puppy only has room for the litter box and the bedding.  This gives your Habibi Bear a high chance of success. Once the puppy is using the Bark Potty again, you can re-open the pen to the full size.

Remember, a puppy thrives on routine.  Keep everything simple and on schedule.  No full access to the house until puppy is completely trained.  USE a PEN to help you teach your new puppy.   If you are not actively holding or playing with your puppy, he needs to be in his puppy safe area, AKA his pen.   Puppy's success will rely completely on how well you are able to maintain consistency.  Training issues are human, because we have not given the puppy good direction.  Be sure to read the Habibi Bear Handbook you receive with your puppy so you can give the correct direction and have positive results!

  

Our Puppies in their Puppy Area

When our puppies are ready to go to their forever homes, they are successfully eliminating in their litter boxes and acclimated to using a crate and x-pen.  For specifics on ordering these items, please visit our Shopping List.  These are pictures of the same set up.  We used the small Iris puppy pen, with two extra panels to give the pups room to play, creating a rectangular shape that is 3 x 6 (this fits our whelping boxes we use to whelp our litters).   In our home, we use whelping boxes to keep newborn pups off the floor, which you won't need for your area.  (The setup is what you will duplicate)

What you need for your puppy area:


Additional Info
Some families report back that their puppy is climbing out of the area after a few weeks.  To eliminate this, you can set up the area in a laundry room, or purchase  a topper, or purchase taller or vertical slat pens that they can't climb.  We find the smaller Iris pen is fine for our home, as the puppies are smaller.  We have listed some new pen ideas in our Amazon Shop.

Let's connect on Instagram @theofficialhabibibear