What do I need to board?

We will have you set up a client portal and need your dog's current vaccinations from a vet showing age-appropriate rabies, distemper, parvo, bordetella and a negative fecal done within the year. New dogs or dogs who have not been here in over a year will need to do a consultation and are subject to our foundations in four to learn our marker words, recall outside, calm crating, leash manners and proper play. Daycare play is not available for dogs over 6 months that are not fixed or aggressive dogs.

What is the foundations in four?

Before we take new dogs, we schedule a consult to make sure your dog is going to have a low stress, enjoyable stay. Foundations in four teaches safe boarding routines and sets up owner communication, so your dog settles confidently when boarding and you know exactly what to expect during their stay. Foundations in four is four full days, two days a week, that prepares dogs for our care environment. It does not replace a full training program. For our safety and sanity and the other boarding dog's safety and sanity, dogs who do not respond to their name, will not stop when told, excessively bark or whine, engage in destruction, attempt to climb, dig or tear at fences or doors to escape or fight others, potty inside, jump on people and gates, hump others, do not eat or drink, act aggressively or are possessive of people, dogs or objects are subject to more training before we will take them to board while you are on vacation.

How old does my dog need to be for daycare?

3 months with 2 rounds of parvo vaccines done. Dogs over 6 months must be spayed/neutered according to IA IDALS requirements for group play.

Can daycare make my dog like other dogs?

No. Daycare is not for "fixing" dog- aggressive or dog-avoidant dogs. While we may use it in a training plan to rehabilitate a dog, it should not be seen as the only way to socialize a dog. Aggressive dogs are not accepted for daycare.

Do you train dogs with behavioral issues?

Yes, I have years of experience with various behavior issues including: separation anxiety, destruction, crate anxiety, dog-dog aggression, sibling aggression, potty issues, fearful dogs, reactive dogs, submissive peeing, constant barking, counter surfing, trash eating, biting for grooming, owner-possession, food aggression, body mutilation, OCD issues.

Do you train dogs at my home or yours?

We spend 1-12 weeks with your dog staying here, either with a board and train or daytrain program, this allows us to see your dog in a neutral environment and get it out of old habits. After the initial foundations are set up, we do follow up training with you with group lessons, in home lessons, real life lessons in the park or stores or through video chat.

How much does training cost?

Training costs varies based on length, needs, wants, and current behavioral issues. We use the consult to see where you are with your dog, what your wants and needs are and set up a final plan for you. Starting costs for 12 week dayschool- 1,250, 2 week basic board and train- 1,500, foundations in four- 250. Payment plans include half now, half at drop off.

Potty Training

Cooper Creek Kennels L.L.C
Feb 24
5 min read

Updated: Feb 24

How to Potty Train a Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide from a Dog Trainer

By Josie Sieren— Cooper Creek Kennels | Centerville, Iowa

Category: Puppy Training | Read time: 7 min

Bringing home a new puppy is one of life's greatest joys — and one of its messiest. Here's everything you need to know to get potty training right from day one, straight from the certified trainers at Cooper Creek Kennels.

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The Two Things That Matter Most

After years of working with new puppy owners, two things stand out above everything else: scheduling and supervision. If you get those two things right, everything else falls into place. Feed your puppy on a consistent schedule, never leave food down all day, and keep a close eye on them at all times. If you can't watch them, put them in their crate.

⚠️ Important: If your puppy is older than 6 months and needs to potty more than 2–3 times per hour, a vet visit may be needed to rule out a UTI or other underlying issue.

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The Two Training Methods That Work

There are two proven approaches to potty training a puppy without relying on puppy pads. Both can be highly effective when followed consistently:

🏠 Crate Training

Uses your puppy's natural instinct to keep their den clean. Dogs don't want to soil the space where they sleep — a properly sized crate turns that instinct into a training tool.

🌿 Frequent Outdoor Trips

Take your puppy outside every 20–30 minutes during waking hours, always to the same designated spot. Consistency builds the habit fast.

Puppy pads can feel like a shortcut, but they actually slow things down — you end up teaching two acceptable potty locations instead of one, which creates confusion. Unless you have a genuine reason (brutal winters, a tiny apartment, medical needs), skip the pads entirely.

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Getting Crate Training Right

Many new owners feel guilty about using a crate. Here's what they don't realize: dogs are den animals. They naturally seek out small, enclosed spaces for security and comfort. A crate isn't a punishment — it's a bedroom.

The key is getting the size right. The crate should be just large enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. If it's too big, they'll use one end as a bathroom and sleep on the other. If your puppy is soiling the crate and lying in it, that's worth a vet check.

✅ Pro Tip: Remove all bedding from the crate at first, feed your puppy on the crate floor, and cut off food and water two hours before bedtime. Keep a radio on near the crate at night — it soothes puppies and helps them sleep longer.

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Building the Right Schedule

Young puppies can need to go out every 30 minutes — sometimes more. A good rule of thumb: a puppy can hold their bladder for roughly one hour per month of age.

| Age | Max Hold Time | Trips Per Day |

| 8 weeks (2 months) | ~2 hours | 12–14 trips |

| 12 weeks (3 months) | ~3 hours | 10–12 trips |

| 4 months | ~4 hours | 8–10 trips |

| 6 months | ~6 hours | 6–8 trips |

| 9–12 months | 8–10 hours (max) | 4–6 trips |

Beyond the clock, always take your puppy outside after these specific triggers — no matter how recently they last went out:

- 🌅 First thing in the morning — Before anything else. Morning excitement triggers an immediate need to go.

- 💤 After every nap — Even a short snooze resets bladder pressure.

- 🍽️ After eating or drinking — Within 10–15 minutes of every meal or water break.

- 🎾 After playing or excitement — Running, visitors, and anything stimulating always creates urgency.

- 🏠 After crate time— Go directly outside the moment you open the crate door.

- 🌙 Last thing at night— The later the last trip, the longer they'll make it through the night.

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🐾 Want a Full Flowchart + Daily Diary?

Our free interactive guide includes a "when to go out" decision tree, a clickable checklist, and a daily potty diary to track your puppy's patterns.

Download the Free Guide → Potty Training Guide | Cooper Creek Kennels

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Praise, Reward, and What NOT to Do

When your puppy goes outside, 🎉celebrate immediately 🎉— within 3 seconds of them finishing. Enthusiastic praise and a small treat create a powerful connection between going outside and good things happening. Wait even 10 seconds and that connection starts to break.

When accidents happen indoors — and they will — stay calm. Clean up the mess thoroughly with an enzyme-based cleaner (not just a regular cleaner — dogs can still smell traces that you can't, and they'll return to the spot). Don't punish, don't scold, and absolutely never rub their nose in it. Old-school punishment methods don't teach anything — they just teach the puppy to hide when they need to go, which makes the problem worse.

🚫 Never Do This: Don't punish after the fact. If you didn't catch them in the act, they cannot connect your reaction to what they did. Simply clean it up and move on. Prevention — not punishment — is the key to success.

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Learn Your Puppy's Signals

Every puppy is a little different. Some will give you clear signals; others will give you seconds of warning. Learning your individual puppy's cues is one of the most valuable things you can do in the first few weeks. Common signals to watch for include:

- 👃Sniffing the floor intently — Searching for a familiar-smelling spot. This is your cue — move fast.

- 🔄Circling — Often happens right before squatting. You have maybe 10 seconds.

- ⏸️Suddenly stopping play — Distraction from a game usually means something else has their attention.

- 🚶Heading toward a corner or behind furniture — Puppies prefer privacy. Corner-seeking is a big red flag.

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One Practical Tip That Makes a Big Difference

Keep your puppy on hard surface floors — tile, hardwood, laminate — until they are fully reliable. Carpet absorbs odors and holds invisible scent markers that invite repeat accidents, even after you've cleaned up. Hard floors make cleanup faster and remove that invisible invitation entirely.

Give your puppy freedom gradually. Start small — one room at a time, supervised — and expand their access only as they prove themselves reliable. The goal isn't restriction forever; it's earning trust one room at a time.

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When to Call a Professional

Potty training is achievable for most owners with consistency and patience. But if you're weeks in and still struggling — or if training anxiety is affecting your relationship with your puppy — it's time to try something else.

If you're ready to get started, download our free interactive potty training guide below — it includes everything in this post and more, a daily diary to track your puppy's patterns and a visual flowchart to take the guesswork out of timing.

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