Potty Training & Basic Manners: Setting Your Foster Puppy Up for Success
One of the most important things you can teach a foster puppy is how to behave in a home. Potty training and basic manners lay the groundwork for a well-adjusted dog who is ready for adoption. While every puppy learns at their own pace, consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement will make all the difference.
Potty Training: Establishing Good Habits Early
House training is one of the first things adopters look for in a puppy. Since young puppies have small bladders and little control, expect frequent accidents in the beginning. With a solid routine, your foster puppy will quickly learn where they’re supposed to go.
Setting Up a Potty Schedule
Puppies thrive on consistency. A good rule of thumb is to take your foster puppy outside:
First thing in the morning
After eating or drinking
After playtime or naps
Before bedtime
Every 1-2 hours for very young puppies
Praise and reward them immediately after they go outside to reinforce good behavior. If an accident happens inside, clean it up without punishment—scolding a puppy for accidents can create fear rather than understanding.
Crate Training for Potty Training
A crate can be a valuable tool for potty training, as most puppies instinctively avoid soiling their sleeping area. If you use a crate:
Choose one that allows the puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably
Take them outside immediately after letting them out of the crate
Avoid leaving them crated too long—puppies can only hold their bladder for about one hour per month of age
Teaching Basic Manners
Alongside potty training, fostering is a great opportunity to introduce puppies to polite behaviors that will make them more adoptable. Here are a few key manners to focus on.
No Jumping
Excited puppies often jump up for attention. Teaching them to keep all four paws on the ground will make interactions with people more pleasant.
Ignore jumping—turn away and only give attention when they’re calm
Reward them when they sit instead of jumping
Be consistent, as reinforcing jumping even once can confuse them
Gentle Play and No Biting
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, but teaching bite inhibition is essential. If your foster puppy gets too rough:
Redirect them to an appropriate chew toy
Use a high-pitched "ouch" and stop play briefly if they bite too hard
Avoid rough play that encourages mouthing
Leash Introduction
Even if your foster puppy isn’t ready for full leash training, getting them used to wearing a collar or harness and walking on a leash will help them transition to their adoptive home. Start with short, positive sessions indoors before moving outside.
Basic Commands
Teaching simple commands like sit, stay, and come not only improves manners but also makes puppies more appealing to adopters. Keep training sessions short and fun, using treats and praise as rewards.
Patience and Positive Reinforcement
Training takes time, and every puppy learns differently. The key to success is patience, repetition, and positive reinforcement. Avoid punishment-based training methods, as they can create fear and confusion. Instead, focus on rewarding the behaviors you want to see.
Final Thoughts
Potty training and basic manners give foster puppies the skills they need to thrive in a home. By providing structure, positive reinforcement, and patience, you’re setting them up for success in their future adoptive families.
