Carrying your puppy outside to relieve itself is not recommended for most situations. While it might seem convenient, it can actually interfere with your puppy’s potty training and overall development.
Here’s why…
Why It’s Not Ideal
- Lack of Control Over Bladder
- Puppies need to learn how to hold their bladder and make the connection between their body’s signals and going outside. Carrying them removes the opportunity for them to learn to communicate their needs.
- Missed Opportunities for Potty Training
- Potty training relies heavily on establishing a routine. Carrying your puppy can disrupt that process, as it doesn’t allow them to experience the natural process of sniffing around to find a spot and going potty on their own.
- Reinforces Dependency
- Carrying your puppy outside may make them dependent on you rather than developing the confidence to go outside on their own. Over time, this can lead to more accidents inside the house because they don’t associate the urge to go potty with being outside.
- Missed Behavioral Cues
- Puppies often give subtle signs that they need to potty (e.g., sniffing, circling, whining). If you carry them outside, you might miss these cues and cause unnecessary stress or confusion for your puppy.
When It Could Be Okay
- Young Puppies (Under 8 Weeks) – Very young puppies might need help getting outside because they don’t yet have the coordination to go on their own. This should be temporary.
- High-Rise Apartments – If you live in a high-rise building with no immediate access to a yard, you might need to carry your puppy to a designated potty area. But, even in this case, try to encourage them to walk to the area on their own once they’re older.
Best Approach
- Encourage Walking – Let your puppy walk to the designated potty spot. This helps them build confidence and learn the connection between the outside world and potty time.
- Routine – Establish a consistent potty routine where you take your puppy outside after meals, naps, playtime, and every 2–3 hours, especially when they’re young.
- Positive Reinforcement – Always praise and reward your puppy when they go potty outside. This reinforces the behavior and helps them associate potty time with something positive.
While carrying your puppy outside might seem like a quick fix, it’s better to allow your puppy to walk outside on their own to encourage proper potty training and confidence. Focus on creating a consistent routine and using positive reinforcement to help them learn.
