Indoor Potty Training Puppies

The First step to having a house trained dog!


Habibi Bear puppies are easier to house train due to our potty box training program. We have decades of experience training them to eliminate in a designated area, giving them a head start in house training.

Potty Box Training for puppies

How it works

Puppies progress through important developmental stages by solving challenges such as learning to navigate grates without slipping their feet through. They are motivated by their instinct to keep their living area clean.
Potty Training Puppies at Habibi Bears



Enrichment Opportunity to support Gross Motor Skills development

Using the puppy's natural inclination to eliminate away from where they sleep, we introduce the puppies in a three-step process to the new Potty Area starting at 3 weeks old. As they learn to potty away from their sleeping area by using Brilliant Pad or Little Wolves for elimination, it keeps them clean! Puppies quickly learn to navigate over the grates, which helps develop their gross motor skills. Additionally, the design of the Brilliant Pad grate (sold separately) ensures easy cleaning, providing a convenient solution for both puppies and their families.
Little Wolves potty training puppies at Habibi Bears

Habibi Method Potty Training System


      • Puppies are potty box trained using a pee pad system like Brilliant Pad & Little Wolves.
      •  To avoid confusion and setbacks,  please ask us which system we are using for your puppy and implement it in their pen at home for a smooth transition.
      • Families can choose to continue using an indoor potty or transition to outdoor elimination.
      • The method aims to facilitate the transition to outdoor elimination, as puppies are trained to use the potty box in their safe pen.
      • Some families cross-train their dogs to use both indoor potty and outdoor elimination, while others opt for a litter box exclusively.
      • Assistance is provided with a 7-day schedule and a specific 2-week house training plan for all families.
      • Even at 8 weeks old, when puppies are still developing and their full mind-body connection isn't fully online, Habibi Bears are known for their minimal accidents and commendable cleanliness when following a routine.

 

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 take 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!   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:

Update: Julie had the opportunity to provide feedback to Brilliant Pad's development department, contributing to the creation of the innovative grate system. We have incorporated the grate (sold separately) into our unit to prevent the puppies from tearing the paper. We also recommend this solution to our clients. 

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  Use Code: HABIBIBEARS 



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!

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 


Little Wolves - Affordable Option
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 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.


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.