Freedom is Earned

Potty training is definitely a process. Every puppy learns at their own pace, but consistency and supervision make a huge difference. In the beginning, your puppy should never be given full freedom in your home until they’ve earned it. If your puppy is off-leash, you should have eyes on them and be giving them your full attention.


If you need to do other things:


  • Leash the puppy to you, or

  • Place them in their crate

Leashing keeps them from wandering off to potty , or get into other mischief, and it allows you to catch accidents as they start so you can interrupt and redirect.



 

When Puppies Should Go Outside

Take your puppy out to potty:


  • Immediately after coming out of their crate

  • Immediately after eating

  • After waking from a nap

  • After playing or running around

About every hour at first, then every couple of hours as they improve


 

Building a Routine With Commands

Use a simple cue like: “Outside?” Walk to the door together, then take them to their designated potty spot. Use a consistent command such as: “Go potty.” Let them sniff and take their time.

If they go:

  • Praise enthusiastically

  • Give a small treat

  • Allow supervised playtime

If they don’t go:

  • Bring them inside

  • Place them on your lap or in their crate

  • Try again in about 1 hour

Puppies quickly learn:
 Potty outside = treat + freedom.

Schnauzers are extremely food-motivated, so this works in your favor.


 

Why Crate Time and Lap Time Matter

Puppies need several naps a day because they’re young and growing. Crate time or lap time gives them quiet time to rest, and it also helps them learn to hold their bladder.

If a puppy is leashed to you or running freely all day long, they tend to potty whenever the urge hits. But puppies don’t like to potty where they sleep, which is why resting in the crate or on your lap is an essential part of the potty-training process. It teaches bladder control naturally.

 

Preventing Mistakes

Most owners accidentally give their puppy too much freedom too soon, which confuses them. Close supervision or leashing is essential in the first weeks.

As you get to know your puppy, you’ll notice “potty signs” such as:

  • Sniffing

  • Circling

  • Wandering away

  • Tail straight up before a bowel movement

Catch these early → go right outside.


 

Daily Routine Example

Morning

  • Out to potty first thing

  • Breakfast

  • Potty immediately after

  • If they fully potty and poop → supervised play

  • If not → crate 30–60 minutes and retry

Mid-Morning

  • Potty break

  • Crate or lap time for a nap

  • Wake up → potty

  • Supervised play

Before Lunch

  • Potty

  • Crate time before lunch so they rest and build bladder control

  • Out to potty again

  • Lunch

  • Potty immediately after

Early Afternoon

  • Playtime if they were successful

  • If not → crate and try again soon

  • Potty every 1–2 hours depending on progress

Late Afternoon / Before Dinner

  • Potty

  • Short crate time before dinner to rest and reinforce holding it

  • Dinner no later than 5 PM

  • Potty immediately after

Evening

  • Multiple potty trips before bedtime

  • Make sure they fully empty bladder and bowels before being crated for the night

This helps reduce nighttime accidents and lets them sleep longer before needing to go out.

 

Water Management

Keeping the water bowl outside works extremely well for training. Offer water each time they go outside to potty. This helps you track intake and predict when they will need to go again.


 

Final Thoughts

Potty training takes commitment, but Schnauzers are so smart and eager to please. With consistency, supervision, rest, and a predictable routine, your puppy will make fast progress.


You get out what you put in — start strong now, and you’ll have a wonderful, well-trained companion.