If you recently added a puppy to your family, you need to house-train them to avoid accidents on carpet. With a few preparations, you can help them understand that relieving themselves indoors is not acceptable. Here are a few tips to help you keep your flooring clean.

How to Prevent Pet Accidents on Carpet

1. Be Consistent

A puppy needs to be taken outside to relieve themselves at least every two hours.

Take them to the same spot every time to create a routine. This might be the backyard or a mat on the porch. Let them out to this spot after they wake up and eat. They should also go before bedtime. 

2. Use a Crate When You Aren’t Home

If you have to be out of the house for a while, place your puppy in a crate. The crate should be big enough for them to stand and turn, but still small. They won’t want to relieve themselves in a small space.

A dog can control their bladder one hour for every month of age. This means a four-month-old puppy can go up to four hours inside the crate. 

3. Correct & Redirect

If you catch your puppy in the middle of using the carpet as their bathroom, you need to correct them immediately. Stop them by making noise or telling them off, then take them outside to their designated spot so they can finish doing their business.

You’ll need to thoroughly clean the carpet to remove all smells and signs of urine. Otherwise, it’s likely that the pup will return to that spot the next time they need to relieve themselves.

For 35 years, residents of the Mat-Su, AK, area, have turned to Carpet World of Alaska for their home flooring needs. The business's incredible flooring selection — including hardwood, vinyl, stone, and tile — means there's something for every homeowner's needs and tastes. Visit the flooring pros' website to browse some of their tile and stone options, or call them directly at (907) 745-3737.