Is it Potty Training for your new puppy, or should it be called Potty Management? Are you confused? Let me explain.
I have been working with several clients lately to help their new puppy avoid soiling the house's flooring. Is what they are doing potty training or potty management? There is a difference.
When you get that new puppy, the first thing you usually want to train them to do is relieve themselves in the right place. So how should you do this? First, manage the environment by placing the puppy in a crate or a small area large enough only for the puppy to turn around and lie down. A puppy will not usually soil the area where they sleep.
Now that you have a secure area for your puppy, the next step is to take him to his designated potty area and wait until he relieves himself. You are managing the puppy by taking him to a designated spot and training him to go there.
In addition to managing where the puppy sleeps to avoid potty accidents, you will need to manage the areas outside of his crate. A puppy (just like an infant or toddler) must be watched when they are out of the kennel; you should always tether them to you, managing what they can do and where they can go. A loose puppy is a dangerous puppy. You will also manage how often you take the puppy to their designated potty area while the puppy is learning (being trained) to relieve themselves there.
So getting your puppy to learn to potty only in a designated area, not on your flooring, is both potty management and potty training. I hope this helps