Greetings and welcome to my guide on how to train rottweiler puppy for potty!
You might be unsure about how to handle housebreaking if you recently brought a furry friend into your home.
Don’t worry—I’ve got all the advice you need to successfully train your Rottweiler puppy to relieve themselves in the proper location.
So, prepare to bid accidents farewell, and welcome to a tidy and well-mannered dog!
My quick potty training guidelines for Rottweilers
Here are my potty training guidelines for Rottweilers:
| Outside times | Age of Puppy | Holding times |
| 9–10 times | 8 Weeks | 1 Hour or less |
| 6–8 times | 12 Weeks | 2–3 Hours |
| 5–6 times | 16 Weeks | 3–4 Hours |
| 4–5 times | 20 Weeks | 4–5 Hours |
| 3–4 times | 6 Months | 4–5 Hours |
| 3 times | 7 Months | 3–5 Hours |
Outside times = This means the number of times you should take your Rottweiler outside to the potty spot per day.
Age of puppy = This represents the current age range of your Rottweiler puppy during potty training.
Holding time = This means the time range in hours in which your Rottweiler can hold their bowl before going to poop. After this time, your Rottweiler will be more prone to making a mistake.
How to Train Rottweiler Puppy for Potty
I own a potty-trained Rottweiler, which I trained myself, so I will discuss the step-by-step process I used.
That being said, here is the step-by-step process of potty training your Rottweiler puppy:
Choose a specific potty spot in your yard
From my experience potty training my Rottweiler puppy, the first step to take is to decide on which part of your yard or house you want your Rottweiler puppy to use as a potty spot or area.
In my case, I chose my backyard, as this made it easier for me to clean up when I decided to clean it up.
In your own case, you can choose anywhere that will be easier for you to clean up, it could be:
- Your backyard
- A section of your garden
- A spot in your driveway
- Any section of your garage
- You bathroom
Make sure you are comfortable with anywhere you choose, as such a spot will be used for a long time.
You can choose a spot with grasses or a spot with gravel, whichever one you choose it’s fine.
Establish a potty routine time
Establishing a consistent daily potty time routine is one of the most effective steps to take when potty training your Rottweiler puppy.
This will help your Rottweiler puppy know when it’s time to potty, as Rottweilers thrive on routine.
Here’s how it can be done;
Take your Rottweiler puppy to the potty spot after sleeping
I did this, and it worked for me during my Rottweiler puppy potty training, so if you get it right, I believe it will work for you.
After every sleep, I recommend you take your Rottweiler puppy to the potty spot for them to do their business.
This is useful because as your pup wakes up from sleep, there’s this urge to poop, and if you take your pup to the potty spot, they will learn to always rush to the potty spot once they wake up.
Take your Rottweiler puppy to the potty spot before and after a meal
It is important to take your Rottweiler puppy to the potty spot before and after any meal.
This is because naturally, most dogs tend to poop immediately after eating, so you need to use this trait to your advantage.
Take your Rottweiler puppy to the potty spot after playing
Once your Rottweiler puppy gets used to rushing to the potty spot before and after a meal, then is a big win for you because you won’t be worried about them pooping in odd places after eating.
Rottweilers are high-energy dogs as such they love to play a lot, so when they play they tend to use up a lot of energy.
This will definitely lead to them wanting to empty their bowls, so you can use this to your advantage by taking your Rottweiler puppy to the potty spot after playing.
This will help them know where to go to when they want to poop after playing.
In summary, here’s what you should know…
I recommend you take your Rottweiler pup outside every half hour at first, as well as after naps, meals, large drinks, playtime, first thing in the morning, and last thing at night.
Teach your Rottweiler puppy verbal cues
Using verbal cues for your Rottweiler puppy during potty training makes it easier for you and your Rottweiler puppy.
So I recommend you use a verbal cue, such as “Let’s go out” or “Time to go outside,” each time you take your pup outside to the designated potty area.
If you teach your Rottweiler puppy this cue, it will help them know what’s coming next, which is it is time to go potty.
You can use this cue once it’s time, just tell your pup “Let’s go out” or “Time to go outside,” and you will see how quickly they learn to use the potty spot.
Learn to recognize your puppy’s signals that they need to go potty
Learning to recognize your puppy’s signals that they need to go potty is important when potty training your Rottweiler puppy.
When you learn these potty signs, you will be able to avoid potty mistakes with your Rottweiler puppy.
These potty signs include;
- Sniffing around
- Circling
- Running back and forth in the same room
- Unnecessary whining
- Heading towards the door at certain times
- Barking toward the potty area
Once you notice these signs from your Rottweiler puppy, you should quickly act by taking them to the potty spot.
Keep a close eye on your puppy when they’re indoors, especially during the initial stages of potty training.
If you can’t supervise directly, consider using a crate or baby gate to confine them to a small area where accidents are easier to clean up.
Clean your Rottweiler puppy accidents promptly
From my experience with potty training my Rottweiler puppy, potty accidents are inevitable during the potty training process.
When your Rottweiler puppy has an accident indoors, clean it up promptly using an enzymatic cleaner to remove any traces of odor that might attract them back to the same spot.
Never punish your Rottweiler puppy for accidents, as this can cause prolonged potty training or behavior issues.
Punishment can confuse them and make them afraid to eliminate in front of you, hindering the potty training progress.
Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and redirection when they make mistakes.
Use a crate if necessary
The truth is, am not a big fan of using crates during potty training, I only use them to restrict my pup’s movements if am not at home.
I believe that a crate will provide a safe and secure space for your Rottweiler pup when you can’t watch them.
It can also help with potty training by encouraging your pup to hold their bladder and bowels until they are taken outside.
If you are using a crate, make sure you set it up in a comfortable position, and you should also create space inside where your Rottweiler puppy can poop and a section where they can sleep or play.
The potty training process
To potty training your Rottweiler puppy, there are some steps you should take which will make the training easier.
Depending on your potty training schedule, when it is time you take your Rottweiler puppy to the potty spot, here’s what to do.
Get a leash and put it on your Rottweiler puppy, then take them to the chosen spot, and make sure the leash is not tight.
Use the word poop and wait for your Rottweiler puppy to poop or pee, if they do so, make sure you praise and reward them.
When they are done pooping in peeing, walk them back inside, if they don’t poop or pee, take them back inside.
After 30 minutes, take them to the poop or pee spot again until they poop or pee.
During this process, you have to be patient with your pup.
Make sure you take them to the potty spot every half hour at first, as well as after naps, meals, large drinks, playtime, first thing in the morning, and last thing at night.
Reward Good Behavior
Rewarding your Rottweiler puppy helps both you and your pup achieve potty training in a short while.
Don’t get fired up when your potty training is not going as planned, be patient and always reward good behavior and use positive reinforcement during the process.
Positive reinforcement teaches your Rottweiler puppy that they will be rewarded if they uses the potty spot, so as much as you can always reward your Rottweiler puppy during potty training.
Conclusion
In summary, it takes time, persistence, and positive reinforcement to toilet-train a Rottweiler puppy. They can learn to relieve themselves outside with the assistance of routines, rewards for good behavior, and attentive supervision. Your Rottweiler puppy will grow into a well-mannered friend with decent toilet habits with time and practice.
Related: Rottweiler training commands.
Related Questions
How long does it take to potty train a Rottweiler puppy?
Potty training timelines can vary, but on average, it takes about 1–3 months to fully potty train a Rottweiler puppy. Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are key during this process.
What should I do if my Rottweiler puppy has an accident indoors?
If your Rottweiler puppy has an accident indoors, avoid punishment as it can create fear and confusion. Instead, calmly clean up the mess with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent, and focus on reinforcing positive behavior by taking them outside more frequently.
Should I use puppy pads for potty training my Rottweiler?
While puppy pads can be useful in certain situations, they can also confuse your Rottweiler puppy when it comes to potty training. It’s generally recommended to avoid using puppy pads and focus on teaching your puppy to go potty outside from the start.
How can I prevent my Rottweiler puppy from having accidents during the night?
To prevent nighttime accidents, limit your Rottweiler puppy’s access to water a few hours before bedtime. Take them outside right before going to sleep and provide a designated area for them to relieve themselves. Consider crate training, as dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area.
