Puppy care
Training Your Frenchie
Potty training and good manners, step by step.
We start at 3 weeks
Potty Training
Teaching a puppy to pee and poop on cue depends on predicting when they need to go. Frenchies can be stubborn and hard to train, so at MonRoyal Frenchies we begin potty training at 3 weeks old.
Confinement first, then freedom
Keep your puppy closely confined whenever you're home: in a crate, or on a leash tied to your belt or to an eye-hook in the baseboard. Never the reverse.
A stuffed Kong within reach
Put a stuffed Kong in the crate or within reach on the leash, tied to the leash end or the eye-hook so it can't roll away.
It's only temporary
Confinement should never be cruel. Once your puppy is housetrained, they can have the run of the house for life.
Why freedom too early backfires
Unsupervised freedom too soon leads to accidents, then barking and digging, and often more confinement.
When you're away
For more than an hour or two, use a pen with an indoor toilet. It prevents accidents and teaches your puppy to use the right surface.
When you're home
Short crate time prevents accidents and helps you predict when your puppy needs to go. Most puppies pee within 10 to 20 seconds of being released.
Every hour, on the hour
The Potty Routine
- 01
Open the crate and attach the leash
Do it calmly; don't rush, since hurrying increases the urge.
- 02
Walk calmly to the toilet area
Always the same spot.
- 03
Say “Go pee and poop”
Then stand still and wait.
- 04
Praise as soon as they start
Be enthusiastic.
- 05
Reward
About three treats for pee, five for poop, and a bonus treat for a quick response.
- 06
Play and train for 5 to 10 minutes
Then back to the crate with a stuffed Kong for about 50 minutes.
- 07
No luck?
Back to the crate with the Kong, and try again every 30 minutes.
Manners
Door Manners
- 01
Start on a leash
Your dog is on a leash beside you. The leash is a safety tool to keep them from pushing out the door, never a punishment.
- 02
Bring treats
Carry treats in your hand or a hip pouch as you walk to the door.
- 03
Mark the moment
Say “yes” or click the moment your dog stops at the door. Pair the marker with a treat 10 to 20 times so they learn it means a reward.
- 04
Wait for calm
Be patient and wait for your dog to be still before you mark. You can also wait for them to sit on their own.
- 05
Repeat, repeat, repeat
Walk away, circle back and try again. Your dog will respond faster and more eagerly each time.