Raise a happy, healthy puppy
Guides on training, health, food and growth, from the first night home to the first birthday.
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Potty training
How to Potty Train a Puppy: A Complete Guide for Pet Owners
Most puppies take 4 to 6 months to be fully potty trained. Start with a schedule: take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals and naps, and before bed.
By Tithi ·
New puppy? Start here
Step 2
Potty and crate training
A day-by-day routine that teaches your puppy where to go and when to rest.
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Getting a Puppy
Choosing a puppy, getting your home ready and picking a name. Start here if your puppy has not come home yet.
Breeds
Size, temperament and care for popular breeds and mixes.
Training
Potty, crate, leash and bite training.
Health
Vaccines, common illnesses and vet visits.
Food & Nutrition
Portions, schedules and safe foods.
Growth
Week-by-week development and adult size.
Care
Grooming, sleep, exercise and daily routines.
Potty training
Set a schedule, pick one potty spot and expect 4 to 6 months to get there.
All guides
Every guide, newest first.
Your puppy, month by month
Growth guides →8 to 16 weeks: coming home
Vaccines, socialization and house training begin.
4 to 6 months: teething
Adult teeth come in and chewing peaks.
6 to 12 months: adolescence
Small breeds reach adult size. Large breeds keep growing.
Large breeds
All breeds →Golden Retriever
Large, gentle and eager to please. Sheds a lot.
Labrador Retriever
Large, food-motivated and easy to train.
German Shepherd
Large, smart and needs daily work.
Small and medium breeds
All breeds →French Bulldog
Small and calm indoors. Sensitive to heat.
Beagle
Medium, curious and led by its nose.
Dachshund
Small, bold and prone to back problems.
Who writes Know Puppies
Know Puppies is written and edited by Tithi. Each guide is checked against published veterinary and breed sources, such as the AVMA, the AKC and veterinary school guidance. The guides are general information. For anything about your own puppy’s health, ask your vet.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons by Taralynn00 (hero, CC BY-SA 3.0), epSos.de (CC BY 2.0), Ghilt (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jami430 (CC BY-SA 4.0), 23artashes (CC BY 4.0), SheilaDiana (CC BY-SA 4.0), BrokenSphere (CC BY-SA 3.0), Elf (Ellen Levy Finch) (CC BY-SA 3.0), Army Medicine (CC BY 2.0), Zorik07 (CC BY-SA 3.0), Ejleroy (CC BY-SA 4.0), Doriguzzi (CC BY-SA 3.0), finn bjerke (CC BY-SA 3.0), Capersfish (CC0), Jsinghmpls (CC BY-SA 4.0), Stefan Bauer (CC BY-SA 2.5), bkaree1 (CC BY 2.0), Maria Tsveshko (CC BY-SA 4.0), Juanelverdolaga (CC BY-SA 3.0), 3dollarsinmybankaccount (CC BY 4.0). Some images resized.