Potty training regression often feels sudden but it’s just part of the learning curve for growing pups.
By Siddhika Bhat, certified dog trainer and behaviorist, founder of Wagabonding: Dog Training and Beyond
Potty training a puppy is like finally cracking the code to a mysterious puzzle, only to wake up one day and find the pieces scattered all over again! You’ve spent weeks (or even months) teaching your pup where to go, celebrating dry floors like Olympic victories, only to come home to a suspicious puddle in the middle of your living room. Frustrating? Absolutely.
But before you panic and question everything, remember: puppy potty training regression isn’t a betrayal: it’s a bump. Whether it’s routine changes, growth spurts, or just a case of puppy brain fog, your dog isn’t trying to mess with you (literally). With patience, consistency, and a little detective work, you’ll get through this phase… again.
3 Signs of Puppy Potty Training Regression
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common clues that your puppy is backsliding on their bathroom behaviour.
1. Accidents in places that were previously "safe"
The most obvious sign of regression? Your previously house-trained pup starts peeing in places they hadn’t touched in weeks like the crate, couch, or your laundry pile. Sometimes, they’re drawn to spots that smell like them. Other times, it’s where they spend the most time with you. It’s not random. It’s routine, scent, and habit clashing all at once.
2. Ditching their usual schedule
If your dog used to wait by the door or stick to a regular potty break window, but now pees at unpredictable times, it may signal regression. A change in environment, physiology, or schedule might be throwing them off.
3. Ignoring previously learned cues
Was your pup barking, whining, or giving you a look when it was time to go out, but now, nothing? That sudden silence might be a sign they’ve forgotten (or are overwhelmed). It could also mean something deeper is going on.
Is Potty Training Regression Normal?
Yes, and it's surprisingly common. Many pups go through a period where all that hard-won training seems to vanish overnight. It’s especially frequent during growth spurts or after a sudden change in environment or routine.
The good news? With consistency, care, and a pinch of patience, they’ll bounce back. Think of it less as a failure and more as a reminder that learning isn’t linear for them or for us.
Why Is My Fully Trained Puppy Peeing Inside Again?
It’s a question every dog parent asks at some point: "But he was doing so well!"
Potty regression isn’t always forgetfulness. Sometimes it’s:
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Developmental changes
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Medical issues
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Incomplete training
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Environmental stress
Your first step: rule out medical issues. Infections, pain, or even GI upsets can make it hard for dogs to hold it or even associate pain with going in the right place.
Next, check your routine. Did your dog get too much freedom too fast? Has their access to the house expanded beyond what they can manage? Puppies thrive on structure. Changes, no matter how small, can throw them off.
Stress is another sneaky culprit. New pet? Loud noises? Back-to-back guests? All of these can shake your puppy’s confidence.
Rule out medical issues first. Sometimes accidents are your pup’s way of saying something’s wrong.
When It Might Be Medical
Sometimes, it’s not a training issue: it’s a health one. Keep an eye out for:
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Avoiding their usual potty area: Dogs with UTIs may associate pain with a specific location and avoid it.
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Accidents at odd times: Infections can reduce bladder control, especially in puppies.
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Unusual body language: Excessive licking, squirming, whining, or sudden stiffness during potty time can signal discomfort.
If you suspect a medical cause, collect a urine or stool sample and schedule a vet visit. Catching issues early helps avoid unnecessary stress (for both of you).
When Does Potty Training Regression Usually Happen?
There’s no universal timestamp for regression, but common ages include:
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Around 3–4 months
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During adolescence (6–9 months)
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After major life changes (moving, new pet, etc.)
Every pup is different. Some never regress, while others hit multiple speed bumps. What matters most is how you respond, not how fast they relearn.
How to Handle Puppy Potty Training Regression: 7 Tips That Work
Here’s what you can do to gently guide your pup back on track without creating confusion or fear.
1. Manage the environment
Even subtle changes can throw your puppy off. One client’s dog regressed because the owner switched perfumes! Major changes like new roommates or moving house warrant patience and a fresh round of desensitisation. Keep things familiar and reduce overwhelm.
2. Take a step back in training
Too much freedom too soon can confuse your pup. If accidents began after giving access to new parts of the house, scale it back. Go back to what worked and rebuild from there.
3. Stick to a rock-solid schedule
Puppies love routine. Feed, walk, and potty them at consistent times. Use a crate to help build bladder control and provide structure. Patterns = predictability = fewer accidents.
4. Get to the root cause
Don’t treat the symptom: solve the puzzle. Regression always has a reason. Observe your dog like a behaviour detective. What’s changed? When do accidents happen? What else is going on in their world?
5. Skip the punishment
Accidents aren’t acts of rebellion. They’re signs your puppy is struggling. Punishing them only adds fear to confusion. Instead, interrupt gently (a clap or firm "no") and redirect them to the right spot. And if you miss the moment? Quietly clean it up and move on.
6. Supervise like a hawk
The best way to stop accidents? Catch them in the act. Keep your pup within view, leash them indoors if needed, and be ready to lead them to their potty spot.
7. Clean smarter, not just harder
That lingering smell from past accidents is an open invite. Standard cleaning products won’t cut it. Use an enzyme-based cleaner to eliminate the scent completely. Make sure the new scent isn’t overwhelming, or your pup might try to “replace” it.
Spaying or neutering can temporarily disrupt potty habits. Gentle support helps your pup bounce back.
Potty Training Regression After Spaying or Neutering
Yes, it happens. Surgery temporarily disrupts hormones, routine, and even bladder control. Medications and drowsiness from anaesthesia can make accidents more likely, especially in the first few days post-op.
To help them bounce back:
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Reinforce structure
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Give extra potty breaks
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Be patient while they adjust to the physical and hormonal changes
Regression Isn’t Rebellion
Puppy potty training regression is frustrating, but it’s not failure. It’s a hiccup, a pause, a rewind before the next big leap. Puppies, like toddlers, need time, guidance, and consistency to master complex habits.
Stick to the basics. Reinforce the good. And remember: the path to a potty-trained pup isn’t a straight line. It’s a loop-de-loop with plenty of teachable moments along the way.
Stay calm, stay kind, and trust the process. Your pup will get there, and so will you.
Siddhika Bhat, Certified dog trainer and behaviorist and founder of Wagabonding.
For more tips and tricks from Siddhika Bhat, check out these articles:
The Biggest Myths About Puppy Training: And Why They’re Wrong
Get to Know Toronto's Own Siddhika Bhat 𑁋 Porch Potty Dog Trainer Q&A