The Age-Based Schedule

A puppy's bladder follows a simple rule: one hour of holding per month of age, up to about eight hours. A two-month-old needs out every two hours; a four-month-old can stretch to four. Treat it as a ceiling, not a promise.

A sample day for a young puppy:

• 6:00 wake and straight outside
• 6:30 breakfast, then out 15 minutes later
• 8:00, 10:00 potty trips
• Noon lunch, then out
• Afternoon trips every 2 hours
• 5:00 dinner, then out
• Bedtime one last trip