It can be hard enough to find the right way to carry your puppy around the house. But when it comes to carrying them outside, sometimes it can feel like a Herculean task. After all, do you just pick them up? Is there a better way? You wouldn’t want to hurt your pup, but you also want to make sure they get outside on time.
The answer is yes, there is an easier way: puppy-carrying! Don’t worry if this seems overwhelming. We’ve put together this ultimate guide to help you figure out the ins and outs of safely (and comfortably) carrying your puppy out for their potty breaks. Ready to learn more? Let’s get started!
Reasons to Carry Your Puppy Outside
Are you curious about carrying your puppy outside to use the bathroom? You’re not alone! Carrying your pup out to pee is recommended when they are young and in the potty-training stage. Especially when the weather is bad or your pup is too small, it’s easier—and safer—to carry them outside and help them get done what they need to do.
Socialization is also important for puppies. Taking them out for some fresh air and new experiences helps with their development and happiness. This includes all of the sights, smells, sounds, and interactions that come from visiting new places.
Just make sure to wait until they’ve been fully vaccinated before you take them on a walk or expose them to other animals that may carry diseases. This usually happens around 18 weeks of age. When it’s time, your fur baby will be ready to enjoy some much-needed outdoor exploration!
How Long Should I Keep Carrying My Puppy Out?
The answer to this question depends on the age of your puppy. Generally speaking, you can expect a puppy to control their bladder for one hour for every month of age. That means that a 3-month-old pup will be able to hold it for about three hours. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Each pup is different—so if your pup needs more frequent trips outside–that’s totally normal too!
Most puppies can be house trained within 4-6 months and will be ready for training when they are between 12 to 16 weeks old. This means that you should carry them out as often as necessary until they get the hang of it and are able to go at their own initiative. Once they understand the basics, use rewards such as treats and positive reinforcement whenever they do their business outside. With patience and consistency, they should be able to learn quickly and soon you won’t have to worry so much about carrying them outside!
Signs Your Puppy Needs to Go Out
One thing you’ve probably noticed is that puppies tend to have a certain look that tells you they need to go potty—it’s almost like they’re asking you to take them out! Here are some signs to look out for:
Sniffing and Pawing at the Door
If your pup is sniffing and pawing at the door, it’s usually a good sign they want to go outside. This could also be because they know it’s potty time, or they’ve picked up an interesting scent on the other side of the door.
Whining or Barking
This is another common sign that your pup needs to go out and find their toilet. Pay attention to when these vocalizations increase, so you can take them out before it’s too late!
Scratching at the Floor or Carpet
If your pup is scratching at the floor or carpet, then this could be a sign that they need to pee urgently, and need somewhere absorbent for their accident. These signs indicate that your puppy won’t be able to wait until the next time you walk them, so make sure you have a plan in place for when this happens.
How Often Should I Take My Puppy Out?
To start with, how often should you take your puppy out to pee? The actual answer to this question depends on the age and size of your pup. A good rule of thumb to remember is this – puppies up to 6 months old need to go out approximately every 1-2 hours. After 6 months of age, this will depend on their size and individual habits, so you should pay attention to your particular pup’s needs. Ask yourself: when does my puppy usually go?
Small Puppies
If your pup is small (under 25 lbs.), then plan on taking him out at least 3-4 times a day. Smaller puppies have smaller bladders and smaller muscles, meaning they may not be able to hold it much longer than that.
Larger Puppies
Larger puppies (over 25 lbs.) require fewer trips outside since they have more muscle control and more capacity in their bladder. Generally speaking, plan on taking them outside every 3-5 hours.
How often you take your pup outside also has something to do with how well you have been training him or her. If your pup has been consistently going in the same spot outside for weeks now, you may be able to increase the time between trips outside accordingly, as long as there are no accidents in between those trips.
Essential Supplies for Carrying Your Puppy Out
It’s not just your arms you’ll need when taking your pup out for a potty break. To make the process easier, it’s time to stock up on a few essential supplies.
Harness or Carrier
For small puppies, get a comfortable carrier so you can both fit comfortably in one trip without compromising the safety of either of you. Ensure your carrier is durable and made from breathable material, with adjustable harness straps and buckles for added security.
Treats
You’ll want to pack a few special treats to give your furry friend some much-deserved reward for doing his business outdoors instead of on the carpet!
Poop bags
An absolute must! Make sure to bring plenty of biodegradable poop bags so clean up isn’t forgotten in all the excitement!
Leash and collar
Get a leash that is adjustable and comfortable in order to keep your pup safe while going outside. If you’re using a dog harness, make sure it comes with a secure leash attachment point that is easy to reach while holding your pup.
How to Properly Carry Your Puppy Outside
One of the main reasons people choose to carry their puppies out to pee is because it helps them learn to go in the right spot and not in the house. The best way to carry your pup outside is by using both hands. With one hand supporting your pup’s chest and stomach, you can use your other hand to support its bottom and make sure it doesn’t accidentally jump out of your arms.
Here are some other tips for carrying your pup outside:
- Make sure your pup feels secure. You want them to feel safe so they don’t struggle or wriggle too much in your arms.
- Be gentle with your pup, and make sure you’re not squeezing them too tight or dropping them accidentally.
- If you need help, get someone else to help you hold the puppy, or find a large carrier or bag for them instead.
Tips for Carrying Your Puppy Out Successfully
When it’s time to take your puppy out to pee, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing it right. Here are some tips to make carrying your puppy out successful:
- Invest in a good-quality harness and leash so that you have the control needed while taking your puppy outside.
- Choose a convenient spot like an area with a sidewalk or grassy area that makes it easy for your puppy to do their business without getting into any trouble.
- Make sure to always use positive reinforcement when taking your puppy out so that they develop positive associations with the activity and don’t become afraid or anxious about going outside.
- It’s also important to remember that puppies have small bladders so don’t expect them to make it too far from home on their first trips.
- Lastly, have patience! Puppies are learning, so give them plenty of time and guidance as they learn the ropes of potty training in their new environment.
What to Do if Your Puppy Has an Accident While Being Carried
Accidents can happen, so it’s important to know how to handle them if your puppy has an accident while being carried. The first and most important thing is to remain calm. If your puppy senses your unease, it will only make the situation worse.
Here are some tips to help you get through the situation:
- Put your puppy down in a safe area, such as a grassy area or on a potty pad.
- Remove his collar and wipe him down with wet wipes.
- Clean up the accident as soon as possible using disinfectant and a paper towel.
- Give him praise and treats if he cooperates during the cleanup process.
- Keep him close by until he is fully dry, which could take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.
- After he is dry, put him back in his crate or pen.
- Take extra precautions next time you take him outside, such as having him wear a special diaper or pee pad for puppies.
By following these steps, you can ensure that accidents like these won’t happen again.
When Can I Stop Carrying My Puppy Out?
You might be wondering when you can stop carrying your puppy out. After all, they eventually grow up and get bigger, right?
That’s true—but you may also find that you still prefer to carry them even when they reach adulthood. It really depends on your preference, as well as the size and breed of your puppy.
Generally speaking, if your pup is a smaller breed, you can probably start easing off the carrying at around six months—though it’s still better to err on the side of caution and wait until they’re eight months old. For larger breeds, it might be best to wait until they’re a year old before taking them out on their own.
So remember: even if you’d like to give your little one more independence as soon as possible, always prioritize their safety first! Besides, your pup may actually enjoy the snuggles.
When Can I Stop Carrying My Puppy Out? Signs Your Puppy Is Ready
Carrying your puppy out to pee is a nice way to bond and show your pup that you love them—but you can’t carry them around forever! How do you know when the time is right for both of you to stop? Here are some signs that your puppy is ready to walk outside on their own:
Mastery of House-Training
Your puppy should have mastered the basics of house-training before they move on to walking outside on their own. If you find that your pup is regularly making it outside before they have an accident in the house, then this is a great sign that they are ready for some solo trips outdoors.
Ability To Walk On A Leash
Leash-training can be tough, but it’s essential for allowing your pup to venture outdoors at their own pace. If they can walk without getting too distracted by other people and animals, while also staying close enough so you don’t have to worry about them running off, then they are probably ready to go out alone.
Command Recognition
The more commands and tricks your pup knows, the better prepared they will be when roaming around by themselves. If your puppy can reliably respond to commands like “sit” or “stop,” then it shows that both of you are in sync and ready for the adventure ahead!
People Also Like: How Big a 5 Month Old Kitten Should Be and What to Expect
Conclusion
Whether you decide to opt for carrying or not, it’s important to keep in mind the safety of your pup when taking them out. No matter which method you choose, always have a firm grip and make sure your pup isn’t in a spot where they may harm themselves.
Ultimately, it’s up to you and your puppy as to which method works for you both. Puppies learn quickly, so if you start off by carrying them, you’ll likely be able to transition to walking as they become more used to going outside. And if you decide to only carry, that’s perfectly fine too.
Whatever you decide, your pup will thank you for the time you spend taking them out, so always make the most of it!
