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Module 6: Potty Training While Working Full-Time
You can absolutely potty train a puppy with a 9-to-5 — you just can't leave them crated for 8 hours. Here are the four workable setups.
6 min read Intermediate
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The midday break
Option A: lunchtime drop-in by you, a neighbor, or a dog walker. The cheapest reliable solution.
The X-pen setup
Option B: pen with crate (sleep area) + potty pad in the opposite corner. Slower path to full outdoor reliability but humane for long days.
Daycare
Option C: 2–3 days/week of puppy daycare. Expensive but solves socialization and exercise simultaneously.
The honest tradeoff
Pad-trained puppies take 4–8 extra weeks to become fully outdoor-reliable. Plan accordingly.
Key takeaways
- ★Never crate a young puppy 8+ hours
- ★Pads slow but don't ruin training
- ★Daycare doubles as socialization
Lesson checklist
Action items to put this module into practice.
- Price out 3 local dog walkers
- Set up an X-pen with sleep + potty zones
- Tour 2 puppy daycares
- Schedule a midday break