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At Mainely Standards, we believe successful housebreaking begins long before your puppy comes home. By the time your puppy joins your family, we’ve already started building the routines and habits that help set them up for success.
We begin with consistent feeding schedules, early crate training, and structured potty routines. These foundations help puppies develop predictable habits and make the transition to their new home much smoother.
Once your puppy arrives home, consistency becomes your greatest tool. The more predictable the routine, the faster most puppies learn what is expected of them.
We encourage families to:
Maintain consistent feeding schedules.
Take puppies to the same potty location each time.
Introduce a consistent potty command such as “get busy” or “go potty.”
Reward success immediately with praise, treats, or affection.
Use crate training as a management tool and safe space.
Closely supervise young puppies and redirect them outside when needed.
One of the most valuable skills you can teach is going on command. A simple phrase such as “get busy” helps your puppy understand exactly what is expected. As they mature, many families also find it helpful to introduce a second command such as “make it quick” for times when weather, travel, or schedules require a faster potty break.
Rainy days can actually become training opportunities. Puppies are often naturally motivated to finish quickly when the weather isn’t ideal, making it easier to reinforce the behavior you want.
Most importantly, be patient. Housebreaking is a process, not an event. Accidents will happen, and progress is rarely perfectly linear. Focus on consistency, supervision, and positive reinforcement rather than punishment.
With the foundation started at Mainely Standards and continued in your home, most puppies develop reliable housebreaking habits surprisingly quickly. Every success builds confidence, and every day of consistency moves your puppy closer to becoming a trusted member of the family.
Finding the right puppy begins with getting to know one another.
This short form lets us know you’re interested and gives us a way to reach you. There is no obligation, no deposit, and no commitment to move forward.
After submitting, you’ll have the opportunity to tell us more about your family, your lifestyle, and what you’re looking for in a puppy. Those details help us make the best possible match.
We look forward to getting to know you.