House training is one of the most important milestones in a puppy’s training, but what happens when your once-reliable pup starts having accidents again? Regression in house training can be frustrating and puzzling for dog owners, especially when it seems like all your hard work has unraveled. However, this is a common challenge, particularly for puppies around six months old, and understanding the possible causes can help you get back on track. From physical health issues to behavioral changes and environmental factors, there are many reasons a young dog might regress. In this blog, we’ll explore why this happens and share practical tips to help your puppy regain their house training skills.
Physical Causes
There are no veterinarians on our staff, and we do not claim to have any special knowledge, but health and behavior can often overlap. Please see your vet if you have questions about your dog’s health. As a dog trainer I can only tell you that there are possible physical causes, I cannot diagnose them or tell you which one applies to your particular dog. But these are some that we have heard of. If you suspect your dog may have a medical condition, please make an appointment with your veterinarian.
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Intestinal Upset
- Teething: Puppies in the teething stage may drink more water to soothe their gums, leading to more frequent urination.
- Other Medical Conditions
Behavioral Causes
- Developmental Phase: Puppies go through developmental stages. During adolescence, they may be testing boundaries (a normal part of learning to be an adult) or forgetting learned behaviors. This is not personal. Hormonal changes can be confusing to our pups.
- Fear or Anxiety: Stressful situations, such as loud noises or changes in the home, can cause accidents.
- Overexcitement: Puppies can lose control during playtime or when greeting people.
Environmental Causes
- Changes: Adjustments in feeding, walking, or supervision schedules can confuse the puppy.
- Too Much Freedom: Giving the puppy too much unsupervised space too soon can lead to accidents.
- Inconsistent Training: If everyone in the household isn’t consistent in reinforcing house training rules, the puppy may regress.
- Missed cues: Your puppy may be trying to tell you he needs to go outside, but in a way you don’t expect.
- Scolding: Scolding after an accident can make the puppy nervous and lead to more accidents, or accidents where you aren’t going to find them (like behind the couch). If your puppy doesn’t feel safe going in front of you, they may find someplace to go where you won’t see them.
How to Address Regression
- Rule Out Medical Issues: Visit a vet to ensure there are no underlying health problems.
- Reinforce Training: Go back to basics, such as taking the puppy out frequently and praising successes.
- Set a Routine: Feed, walk, and potty at consistent times.
- Supervise Closely: Use crates or baby gates to limit freedom until they’re reliably trained again.
- Be Patient: Regression is a normal part of puppy development and can usually be resolved with consistency and compassion.
Regression in house training is really frustrating, but there is usually a solution. The most important thing to start with is to see your vet. Once your dog has a clean bill of health, begin addressing the behavior. It’s not uncommon with any training we have done for us to have to start over again with an adolescent dog. They often act like they have forgotten everything we have taught them. Go back to the beginning and work on it like you did when you first brought your puppy home. It won’t take long, and it will help him to understand that the rules haven’t changed just because his body is changing.