Puppy house-training checklist

A one-page checklist for spotting the pattern behind puppy potty accidents: timing, supervision, rewards, cleanup, confinement, and household consistency.

Young Weimaraner puppy lying on a wood floor during house training, facing the camera.
A clear house training routine helps puppies learn where to potty while giving owners a calmer way to track accidents, timing, and supervision. Photo by Liana S / Unsplash

Puppy potty accidents are frustrating, but they usually are not a sign that your puppy is stubborn, spiteful, or “not getting it.” Most indoor accidents happen because the routine needs adjusting: potty timing, supervision, indoor freedom, cleanup, confinement, or household consistency.

Use this checklist to reset the plan. It will help you look at when accidents are happening, what your puppy is doing before they happen, how much freedom your puppy has indoors, and whether everyone in the household is following the same routine.

This resource is for new puppy families, serious dog enthusiasts, and dog-training students who want a practical way to troubleshoot house training without turning every accident into a crisis.