The short answer
Start housetraining the day your puppy comes home. Take the puppy to the chosen potty place after waking, eating, play, and before bed, with more frequent opportunities while the puppy is very young. Reward immediately after success. Accidents are information about timing or supervision, not a reason to punish a puppy.
What this means for your home
Watch for sniffing, circling, or suddenly leaving play. Use a correctly sized crate or safe pen for short periods when you cannot supervise, but do not expect a young puppy to hold it too long. Clean accidents thoroughly and adjust the schedule.
Three useful takeaways
- Go out after sleep, meals, and play.
- Reward at the potty spot, not once back indoors.
- Track timing and make the next success easier.
Want the wider picture? Return to care & puppy training or the complete Miniature Schnauzer guide.