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With 84% of pets joining their families before their first birthday, that’s a whole lot of puppies still figuring out where to ‘go’!
Potty training can be a wild (and often messy) journey, prompting many new pet owners to seek convenient, reliable and eco-friendly solutions that reinforce good toileting habits and support positive, reward-based training approaches.
“Train Your Dog Month (January) reminds us that every dog deserves healthy toilet hygiene,” says Milan Bozic, environmental engineer and Founder of Potty Buddy, premium reusable potty pads designed to save surfaces and your sanity!
“That starts with having the right tools – rewards-based toilet training methods and durable, eco-friendly reusable potty pads – that make training easier for both pets and their parents. Plus, these tools help to keep your home clean, save money and be kinder to the planet while your four-legged friend is still learning the ropes.”
Potty Buddy, a small business founded in Perth in 2019, emerged after Bozic realised how much money is spent and landfill waste created during potty training.
“Our conservative estimate is that, to date, Potty Buddy users have prevented at least 25 million disposable pads – around 700 tonnes of waste – from ending up in landfills,” says Bozic. “With 96% of Australian consumers engaging in sustainable practices, we’re excited to bring Potty Buddy Down Under and introduce cleaner potty habits to Aussie pups!”
Aussie Pups and Potty Time
Puppies are adorable bundles of energy, but when it comes to toileting, they’re still learning the ropes, notes Louise Newman, rewards-based professional dog trainer from Let’s Go Fido, a leading provider of puppy school classes in Sydney.
Newman has a number of professional dog training qualifications and is a committee member of industry-leading dog training organisation Pet Professional Guild of Australia (PPGA).
“A general rule of thumb is that puppies can hold their bladder for about half an hour for every month of age, meaning a two-month-old puppy may need a potty break every hour,” she explains. “Of course, every puppy is unique, and factors activity level and excitement can influence how often they need to go.”
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| Monty shows how easy potty training can be with the Potty Buddy! |
Potty Buddy, a small business founded in Perth in 2019, emerged after Bozic realised how much money is spent and landfill waste created during potty training.
“Our conservative estimate is that, to date, Potty Buddy users have prevented at least 25 million disposable pads – around 700 tonnes of waste – from ending up in landfills,” says Bozic. “With 96% of Australian consumers engaging in sustainable practices, we’re excited to bring Potty Buddy Down Under and introduce cleaner potty habits to Aussie pups!”
Aussie Pups and Potty Time
Puppies are adorable bundles of energy, but when it comes to toileting, they’re still learning the ropes, notes Louise Newman, rewards-based professional dog trainer from Let’s Go Fido, a leading provider of puppy school classes in Sydney.
Newman has a number of professional dog training qualifications and is a committee member of industry-leading dog training organisation Pet Professional Guild of Australia (PPGA).
“A general rule of thumb is that puppies can hold their bladder for about half an hour for every month of age, meaning a two-month-old puppy may need a potty break every hour,” she explains. “Of course, every puppy is unique, and factors activity level and excitement can influence how often they need to go.”
Establishing good toileting habits early is crucial for keeping your home clean and setting your puppy up for long-term success.“People often underestimate how long it can take to fully toilet train their dog, hoping they’ll just grow out of accidents,” says Newman. “But toilet training can take five to six months!
It’s a good idea to seek guidance from your positive dog trainer early on. Visit the PPGA website to find one close to you.”
Top Tips for Puppy Potty Training
Newman shares her top toilet training tips that reinforce good toileting habits and support positive, reward-based training approaches. From building a routine to managing space effectively, here’s what you need to know:
#1. Set Up a Designated Potty Area
#5. Be Calm and Patient
Accidents happen, but how you handle them matters. Newman advises against punishment, which can frighten your puppy and slow down training. Instead, without saying anything, calmly remove your pup and then clean the area with a bio-based cleaner to remove odours.
If they don’t go potty, don’t hurry them as you will distract them. Keep them on a lead while they continue sniffing. “When they pee and poo in a designated space, be enthusiastic!” says Newman. “A genuine cheerful reaction shows them they’ve done something great!”
#6. Transition Gradually
Reusable pads can act as a transitional surface, helping your puppy move from indoors to outdoor toileting. A thick, absorbent design (like in Potty Buddy) ensures comfort and reduces mess, while their versatility means they can also double as crate liners, bedding or car seat protectors.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
“As a professional dog trainer, I often see owners giving puppies full access to the house too soon, which can make it harder for them to understand where to go,” says Newman.
“It’s also important to avoid using harsh tones or scolding after accidents. The frustration you are feeling comes from unrealistic expectations and poor monitoring from us the humans.
“Make sure you thoroughly clean up any messes to prevent lingering scents. And remember, if your puppy is in the middle of going, it’s best to leave them be. Picking them up at that point will only create more mess, disrupt the process and confuse them. This can even lead to them avoiding toileting near you in the future.”
If you find yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a professional trainer or your vet early on.
About Potty Buddy
Potty Buddy is more than just a pad — it’s a tool to simplify the training process and reduce your environmental impact. Designed with both pets and the planet in mind, Potty Buddy™ pads offer:
✔️ Cost-effectiveness: Durable and washable for repeated use
✔️ Eco-friendliness: A sustainable alternative to disposable pads
✔️ Puppy comfort: Plush, slip-resistant, and absorbent materials
✔️ Versatile sizing: Variety of styles and sizes to suit your puppy’s needs
From indoor use to outdoor transition, Potty Buddy is a game-changer for modern pet parents. To discover more, visit https://au.pottybuddy.co/
Top Tips for Puppy Potty Training
Newman shares her top toilet training tips that reinforce good toileting habits and support positive, reward-based training approaches. From building a routine to managing space effectively, here’s what you need to know:
#1. Set Up a Designated Potty Area
Puppies learn faster when they know where to go. Choose a specific spot outdoors or indoors with a consistent surface like grass or a reusable potty pad. For apartment or indoor setups, use a reusable potty pad that provide a durable, non- slip surface that puppies feel comfortable using.
Reusable potty pads are also a practical option for use in crates or playpens when puppies need confinement but still need a designated area for toileting, especially during longer stays.
Reusable potty pads are also a practical option for use in crates or playpens when puppies need confinement but still need a designated area for toileting, especially during longer stays.
“Use a timer or schedule to remind yourself to take your puppy out at regular intervals,” says Newman.
#2. Reduce Space for Early Success
Giving puppies too much freedom too soon can lead to accidents. “Start with a confined area— just a few meters where they can play, rest and potty safely,” Newman suggests.
Create a setup where the potty area is close to their bedding but still distinct, encouraging puppies to move to the designated spot when nature calls.
Giving puppies too much freedom too soon can lead to accidents. “Start with a confined area— just a few meters where they can play, rest and potty safely,” Newman suggests.
Create a setup where the potty area is close to their bedding but still distinct, encouraging puppies to move to the designated spot when nature calls.
#3. Use Positive Reinforcement
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Dog trainer Louise Newman celebrates Monty’s potty success with lots of praise |
Timing is everything! Reward your puppy with a small treat or enthusiastic praise when they take that first step away from their pee or poop and have toileted on the right surface.
“High-value treats reserved specifically for potty training can help reinforce good habits,” says Newman.
#4. Keep a Consistent Schedule
Puppies thrive on routine. Newman recommends taking them to their potty area at key times, such as after waking up, after meals or water, at the end of playtime and every 1 hour for younger puppies.
“Every puppy is unique,” she notes. “Track their patterns to fine-tune your schedule and prevent accidents. If you work full-time, it’s a good idea to take time off if you can or consider organising visits from a dog walker / sitter / trainer.”
Puppies thrive on routine. Newman recommends taking them to their potty area at key times, such as after waking up, after meals or water, at the end of playtime and every 1 hour for younger puppies.
“Every puppy is unique,” she notes. “Track their patterns to fine-tune your schedule and prevent accidents. If you work full-time, it’s a good idea to take time off if you can or consider organising visits from a dog walker / sitter / trainer.”
#5. Be Calm and Patient
Accidents happen, but how you handle them matters. Newman advises against punishment, which can frighten your puppy and slow down training. Instead, without saying anything, calmly remove your pup and then clean the area with a bio-based cleaner to remove odours.
If they don’t go potty, don’t hurry them as you will distract them. Keep them on a lead while they continue sniffing. “When they pee and poo in a designated space, be enthusiastic!” says Newman. “A genuine cheerful reaction shows them they’ve done something great!”
#6. Transition Gradually
Reusable pads can act as a transitional surface, helping your puppy move from indoors to outdoor toileting. A thick, absorbent design (like in Potty Buddy) ensures comfort and reduces mess, while their versatility means they can also double as crate liners, bedding or car seat protectors.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
“As a professional dog trainer, I often see owners giving puppies full access to the house too soon, which can make it harder for them to understand where to go,” says Newman.
“It’s also important to avoid using harsh tones or scolding after accidents. The frustration you are feeling comes from unrealistic expectations and poor monitoring from us the humans.
“Make sure you thoroughly clean up any messes to prevent lingering scents. And remember, if your puppy is in the middle of going, it’s best to leave them be. Picking them up at that point will only create more mess, disrupt the process and confuse them. This can even lead to them avoiding toileting near you in the future.”
If you find yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a professional trainer or your vet early on.
About Potty Buddy
Potty Buddy is more than just a pad — it’s a tool to simplify the training process and reduce your environmental impact. Designed with both pets and the planet in mind, Potty Buddy™ pads offer:
✔️ Eco-friendliness: A sustainable alternative to disposable pads
✔️ Puppy comfort: Plush, slip-resistant, and absorbent materials
✔️ Versatile sizing: Variety of styles and sizes to suit your puppy’s needs
From indoor use to outdoor transition, Potty Buddy is a game-changer for modern pet parents. To discover more, visit https://au.pottybuddy.co/
Enter our Giveaway before 21/01/25 to Win 1 of 5 Potty Buddy™ Reusable Potty Pads!
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