Potty training a puppy requires patience and vigilance. During the training period, while the puppy is young, keep the dog in an area with a washable floor. Block the area from the rest of the house to avoid damage to rugs and other areas of the home. This training is based on consistent and fun rewards.
It’s ideal if someone is home with the dog during the day time although this is not always practical. Close tethering is used for training. Clip a 6-8 ft leash to your new dog and tie the other end to your waist using your belt or belt loop. Keep a close eye on the dog, give him a bone or toy and praise him while he’s playing. The leash sort of act like an umbilical cord between you and your dog which helps to keep their attention on you while also getting them used to being on a leash.
For those accidents your puppy has – which there are bound to happen – do not punish the dog! While catching him or her starting the squatting position, loudly say “Outside!”. Don’t scare him, just startle him to hopefully interrupt what he’s doing. Once you’ve interrupted him, run with him outside to finish up his business. Finish up with praises and treats. Make him understand that he did good but never punish him for having an accident. It’ll just cause him to hide it from you so when you’re not around, he’ll find a spot to go.
In the beginning, start with taking your puppy out as soon as they awake. Just like humans chances are their bladder is full when they wake up and the first thing they want to do is relieve themselves. It’s very common for the dog to want to relieve itself right after eating a meal so this is an ideal time to take the dog outside. Your puppy should be taken out six to eight times a day if possible. Someone should be with the puppy when taken outside. While the dog is doing it’s business, praise should abound. Not enough to distract him from what he’s doing, but a sweet, praising voice. As with all training, positive reinforcement is one of the key elements.
At night they recommend confining your dog to their kennel. They won’t want to soil and dirty their safe area and will avoid messing the kennel. Dogs have a natural hard wiring to leave their crate, or what they consider their den area, to eliminate.
Until the age of six months or so, your pet will not be able to go a few hours without relieving itself. Learn to pick up on signals from your dog. Some dogs whine, some stare at you, and others may go to the door, and some may scratch at the door in urgency. If you notice any signal that displays a restlessness, take the dog out. Until the puppy gets the hang of the signals that work, you will have to pay attention to the body language of the dog. It’s a similar technique with kids. When they start getting antsy and dancing, you ask them if they have to use the bathroom. Puppies and kids are very similar in this aspect.
When you take your dog out to the yard of park to relieve themselves, try to return to the same spot – preferably with dirt or sand and possibly where other dogs have gone to relieve themselves. This will help the puppy to understand what is expected of them. Do not rush the dog. Each dog is different and some puppies like to do a lot of investigating and sniffing before they actually decide it’s time to relieve themselves. Others will do their business and then spend time inspecting their environment.
It’s advisable to have the puppy within ear shot while you are sleeping. This way, your puppy can let you know when it has to be let out. The beginning stages may require sleep interruptions but they time you invest in this process will pay off in the long run.
As with children, so are puppies – a schedule and routine is the most important key to potty training your new puppy. Eventually your dog will probably regulate it’s own intake of fluids with a schedule he or she is used to. But in the training stages, you have to guide and train with regularity.
A Suggested Schedule for New Puppy Training
Pick a day where you can dedicate all of your time to working on housebreaking the puppy.
Early morning, keep the puppy in a confined area like a generous dog crate or small bathroom with tile floors. Every hour leash up the puppy and happily exclaim “Puppy, Outside!”.
If he does his business once outside he gets a treat (remember to bring treats) and praise galore! Walk him around the yard as a reward.
If he doesn’t do anything after coming outside for 3 minutes, take him back to confinement. The only time you interact with him is when you take him outside.
You have to keep this up all day- right up until bed time. The good news is many new puppies catch on after only 1 day! For others, more time might be needed and possible modification in the training. But one day of your time is worth giving it a try.
How To Potty Train Your Puppy In 7 Days! – Click Here!
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