Your puppy potty training was going great, and then suddenly you’re dealing with puppy accidents in the house again. If you’re wondering what went wrong or feeling discouraged by potty training regression, take a deep breath. This is a normal part of development, and it does not mean training is broken.
In this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt, I’m sharing the importance of understanding why potty training regression happens and seven actionable steps you can take right now to get puppy potty training back on track using potty training positive reinforcement instead of punishment or pressure.
Some of the things I cover in this episode are:
- The most common developmental and environmental causes of potty training regression
- Why stress and routine changes often lead to puppy accidents in the house
- How potty training positive reinforcement supports learning during setbacks
- What to do when puppy potty training feels inconsistent again
- How supervision and structure prevent repeat puppy accidents in the house
Potty training regression does not mean your puppy forgot what they learned or that you failed. It means your puppy’s needs have changed, and the plan needs more support. With clear structure, better supervision, and consistent potty training positive reinforcement, most puppy potty training setbacks resolve faster than you expect. This episode will help you respond calmly, reduce puppy accidents in the house, and move forward with confidence instead of starting over.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Staci Lemke:
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:
[00:00:00] Staci Lemke: Your puppy’s potty training was going great. No accidents for quite a while, so you finally started to relax and then one day out of nowhere, you step in a puddle or a pile and think, what the heck? Before you assume potty training is somehow broken. Let’s clear this up. Dog training in general is never a linear progression and potty training is no exception.
[00:00:23] Staci Lemke: Regression doesn’t mean that your puppy forgot, got stubborn, or is trying to test you. It usually means that something has changed. Welcome to the Well-Mannered Mut podcast. I’m Stacy Lemke, certified professional dog trainer, registered veterinary technician and proud owner of manners for muts dog training.
[00:00:45] Staci Lemke: With over 20 years of experience, I’ve helped countless dog owners just like you, build stronger, happier relationships with their furry friends. From private lessons to online courses, I’m here to help make life with your dog easier and more rewarding. I believe in training that is kind. Fun and scientifically proven positive reinforcement is at the core of everything I do because it’s the most effective way to teach your dog while strengthening your bond.
[00:01:14] Staci Lemke: Whether you’re tackling basic training, solving behavior challenges, or just looking for tips to keep your pup thriving. You are in the right place. So let’s dive into today’s episode and take the first step toward having the well-mannered mutt you’ve always dreamed of.
[00:01:32] Staci Lemke: Welcome back to the Well-Mannered Mutt Podcast. If your puppy was doing great with potty training and then suddenly isn’t, or you’ve ever thought my puppy was fully potty trained and now they’re having accidents again, what happened then? This episode is for you. Today we’re breaking down the most common causes of potty training, regression, and exactly how to fix it without punishment, guilt, or starting completely over.
[00:02:01] Staci Lemke: So why does potty training regression happen between about four and 12 months of age? Puppies go through huge developmental changes that temporarily disrupt potty habits. Growth spurts, losing puppy teeth and getting adult teeth and the early stages of sexual maturity can all affect a puppy’s ability to regulate their body and behavior.
[00:02:25] Staci Lemke: During these phases, puppies may miss their body’s early potty signals. They may get more distracted, or they struggle to pause what they’re doing to seek help. This isn’t forgetting. It’s a temporary dip in capacity during a major developmental leap. Think about it for a moment. Even human children who are fully potty trained can have accidents during growth spurts or stressful phases.
[00:02:50] Staci Lemke: They haven’t forgotten how the toilet works. Their brain and body are just busy growing, and puppies go through the same thing. Stress is another big contributor to potty training regression. Even when it doesn’t look obvious, new environments, unfamiliar people, or pets, loud noises, travel or family changes can all increase stress levels.
[00:03:13] Staci Lemke: When a puppy is stressed or anxious, their nervous system shifts into survival mode. In that state, learned behaviors like holding it or signaling appropriately are harder to access, and accidents become more likely.
[00:03:33] Staci Lemke: Changes in routine is another cause of potty training. Regression potty training is extremely sensitive to routine. And even small changes can have a big impact in consistent feeding times, different potty schedules, sleeping in on weekends or a new person handling the potty breaks can all disrupt timing.
[00:03:51] Staci Lemke: These changes affect digestion and arousal levels, which means a puppy who could hold it yesterday may not be able to today, and that’s normal. Sometimes potty training regression isn’t behavioral at all. Urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal issues, parasites or medication side effects can all lead to sudden changes in potty habits.
[00:04:14] Staci Lemke: Red flags include frequent accidents, straining discomfort, accidents while they’re sleeping, or regression that comes on very suddenly after a period of consistency. When in doubt, a vet check is always the right first step. Inconsistent training is another factor. Potty training regression can also happen when puppies accidentally learn the wrong lesson, even when everybody has the best intentions.
[00:04:39] Staci Lemke: If indoor accidents go unnoticed or aren’t interrupted in time, a puppy may start to learn that sneaking off inside is easier, faster, or more comfortable than asking for help and waiting to go outside. Punishment can make regression worse instead of better. When a puppy is scolded or corrected for having an accident, they don’t learn where to go.
[00:05:00] Staci Lemke: They learn that eliminating in front of humans feels unsafe. As a result, some puppies stop signaling altogether and instead they hide to potty, not because they don’t understand the rules. Because they’re trying to avoid consequences. This creates a confusing cycle where the puppy still needs support, but their communication breaks down.
[00:05:21] Staci Lemke: The goal isn’t stricter discipline. It’s clearer guidance, better supervision, and reinforcing the behaviors that you do want so that your puppy feels safe asking for help. Again, you got a puppy dreaming of fuzzy snuggles and sweet puppy breath. But instead, you and all your possessions are full of teeth marks.
[00:05:43] Staci Lemke: Sound familiar? What if I told you raising a puppy doesn’t have to be like this? Join me in my online course. Help My puppy is biting me to get step-by-step instructions on how to teach your puppy what’s appropriate to bite and chew on and save your hands and arms. Don’t sacrifice another pair of your favorite shoes.
[00:06:03] Staci Lemke: Go to manners for mutts.com back slash puppy. Biting to sign up now. So let’s talk about how to fix potty training regression. Number one, go back to basics. When potty training regression shows up, it’s a sign that your puppy needs more structure, not more pressure, or higher expectations. Going back to basics means temporarily simplifying the plan so that your puppy has fewer chances to get it wrong and more chances to get it right.
[00:06:34] Staci Lemke: This usually means reestablishing a consistent potty schedule, taking your puppy out more often than you think they need to. And going back to generous rewards for outdoor potty breaks. Even if they were previously reliable, those rewards help re-anchor the habit and make the right choice very clear.
[00:06:52] Staci Lemke: And this part is important. Going back to basics doesn’t mean starting over. It’s not a setback. It’s a short term support system, while your puppy’s brain and body catch up to the skills that you’ve already been building. Most puppies move through past regression pretty fast. When we lower the pressure and raise the structure.
[00:07:12] Staci Lemke: Number two, increase supervision. Most potty accidents happen when puppies have too much freedom that is given too quickly. Increasing supervision helps prevent mistakes before they happen. If you are not actively interacting with your puppy, you are not supervising them properly. If you’re finding accidents after the fact, instead of catching them.
[00:07:33] Staci Lemke: You’re also not supervising your puppy properly using crates. Baby gates keep your puppy on a leash in indoor or tethers allows you to notice early signals and step in before an accident occurs. Number three, go back to frequent potty breaks. During potty training regression, it is safest to assume your puppy needs more help than usual, even if they were doing well before their ability to hold it or recognize the early I have to go signals.
[00:08:02] Staci Lemke: Maybe temporarily reduced, especially during developmental changes or stressful periods. This means taking your puppy out more frequently. Be proactive rather than waiting for them to ask to go out. Take them out on a schedule. Potty breaks should reliably happen after waking up eating. Drinking, playing, training sessions, and any other exciting or stimulating activity.
[00:08:26] Staci Lemke: These transitions are when accidents are most likely to happen. Waiting for your puppy to signal often leads to missed opportunities, not because your puppy is being stubborn, but because they may not realize that they need to go until it’s too late. Staying ahead of the need to potty dramatically reduces accidents and helps rebuild consistency faster.
[00:08:47] Staci Lemke: Number four, positively reinforcing those potty trips. When your puppy goes potty outside, praise and reward immediately after they finish. This timing helps your puppy clearly connect the behavior to the reward. And here’s the important part. The reward must come immediately following the potty, not after running back into the kitchen.
[00:09:09] Staci Lemke: If your puppy does a successful potty and you take them back inside to give them their reward. You’ve successfully rewarding them for going back inside, just as important. Never punish accidents after the fact. Punishment doesn’t teach your puppy where to go. It only teaches your puppy to feel unsafe around you.
[00:09:28] Staci Lemke: Number five. Thorough cleaning. If an accident happens indoors, clean it thoroughly with an enzyme based cleaner. Regular cleaners may remove the smell for humans, but dogs can still detect lingering scent. Look for something that is specifically designed for pet waste cleanup. Those leftover odors can draw puppies back to the same spot, increasing the chances of repeat accidents.
[00:09:53] Staci Lemke: Number six, limit freedom. And I covered this a little bit earlier. Freedom should be earned through consistency and maturity. If accidents are happening temporarily reduce your puppy’s access to the house and stick to supervised areas. Once reliability returns, freedom can gradually increase again, and this isn’t being too strict, it’s being supportive.
[00:10:15] Staci Lemke: Number seven, identify patterns instead of guessing, gather data, keep a simple log of when accidents happened, what occurred beforehand, and the time of day. This can help to reveal clear patterns and patterns, make solutions obvious, and take the emotion out of the process. Okay? So I hope that these seven tips will help you feel more confident about potty training regression.
[00:10:40] Staci Lemke: But if you’re listening to this and you feel like you need a clearer plan or a little extra support, then check out my online course. Easy peasy puppy potty training. It walks you through realistic potty schedules, troubleshooting, regressions, and exactly what to do when the process feels shaky. It’s designed to support you through normal puppy ups and downs and not expect perfection from you or your puppy.
[00:11:05] Staci Lemke: I will add a link. To the course in the show notes for you. So, potty training regression doesn’t mean that your puppy forgot everything or that you failed. It means your puppies needs changed, and now the plan needs to catch up with structure, supervision, and reinforcement. Most regression resolves faster than people expect.
[00:11:24] Staci Lemke: Progress isn’t gone, it’s just asking for a little support. Thank you for joining me today and taking the time to help your dog become a more well-mannered mutt. If you’ve got questions about today’s episode or an idea for a topic you’d love to hear about, let’s connect. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram at Manners for Mutts.
[00:11:46] Staci Lemke: Also, be sure to visit manners for mutts.com for links, resources, and more. If this episode helped you and your pup, I’d be thrilled if you left a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps me create even more content to support you and your furry friend. Talk to you next time.
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