A schedule built around what your dog can actually manage, the cleaning step that stops repeat accidents in the same spot, and an honest timeline — because bladder control arrives with age, not effort.
A dog told off for an accident doesn't learn where to go — it learns that eliminating near a person is risky, so it goes behind the sofa instead. Owners then read that as the training failing, and push harder.
Detergents and anything ammonia-based leave scent markers a dog can still detect, which is why accidents cluster in the same spot. An enzymatic cleaner is the difference, and almost nobody is told.
A young puppy can only manage a few hours. If they're alone longer than that, it isn't a training problem and no amount of consistency fixes it — it needs a midday visit or a change to the routine.
Urinary infections, incontinence, kidney and hormonal conditions and pain are all common causes of sudden accidents. Training a medical problem harder just delays the diagnosis.