Define the Parameters, But Start Small:
The first part of puppy potty training is defining the parameters for both you and your pet. Those parameters may need to be small, at first. For example, while your puppy is little, you may want to start them off potty training on newspapers or special scented pads in your house. Gradually, you can move those pads and expand your puppy’s world to include the great outdoors. Then, soon, you can have them doing their business in a specific spot in the yard, rather than in the home.
Another option is that you could crate train your dog. That is, you could put your dog in a crate when you plan to be out for a little while so that they won’t have accidents in the house. If you use that method, however, be careful not to keep your puppy in the crate for too long. After all, like people, puppies can only “hold it in” for a certain amount of time.
Keep Calm and Understand “Puppy Time”:
Among the big mistakes that first time dog owners, especially, make is that they have a quick temper and an unlimited clock. By unlimited clock I mean, for example, that you might leave the house at, say, noon. Your puppy might have an accident soon after. However, you might not discover the accident until you return at, let’s say, 4 in the afternoon. Now 3 to 4 hours has elapsed since the accident.
The instinct of many owners would be to yell at, scold or even hit their dog for such an accident. In fact, some even grab the dog and shove their nose in their urine or feces to try to prove some sort of point. That means very little to a puppy, though, other than “Uh oh, my owner is mean!”
The reality is that “puppy time” works differently. Puppies have a very short attention span. There’s simply no way that they will understand why they are being scolded hours, or even minutes, after the fact. You have to discipline them only when you catch them in the act.
The Act of Discipline:
Even if you do catch your puppy in the act, you have to be very careful about how you discipline them. You don’t want your puppy to be fearful or aggressive towards you or constantly be scared to perform the natural act of relieving themselves, after all. All you want to do is make sure that you train them to do so in a socially acceptable way.
A simple, clear, “NO!” in a serious tone of voice is enough. You don’t need to scream, rant, ramble or especially roughly grab or hit your puppy. What you can do is gently but firmly pick the puppy up and take him outside to the designated area immediately, but only if you see him in the act of having an accident in the house.
Although it’s fine to play with your puppy outside, you shouldn’t play at times that are scheduled for allowing your pet to do his or her business. It’s much better, especially during early potty training, to take the dog outside with the specific mission of relieving themselves. Then, praise the dog well for doing its business and bring it directly back in the house. Playing should be done at a separate time and in a separate area of the yard.
Watching the Signs:
Another thing that helps, when potty training a puppy, is watching the signs that could indicate that they have to go. For example, many dogs might start sniffing around or walking in circles right before they relieve themselves. If you see that behavior, no matter when you’re scheduled to take your dog out, it’s a good idea to make a special trip outside with them immediately. Each dog is different, so you’ll have to learn to recognize your own dog’s signs, such as whining or pacing. Once you do that, you’ll have a much easier time with puppy potty training.
Deodorizing the House:
Puppies are babies. So, they’re going to have an occasional accident. A very important part of potty training is making sure that the accident gets thoroughly cleaned. After all, dogs are highly motivated by scent. If your puppy smells its urine or feces, it will want to go in that spot again. So, it’s important to invest in cleaning supplies that are specifically designed to thoroughly remove pet odors without being toxic to your pet.
Having Patience:
Again, puppies are babies. They are very intelligent and quick to learn, but some accidents will happen, especially if they’re left alone for long periods of time. So, it’s important to have patience and be consistent with the training techniques, if you want to successfully potty train your puppy.
To learn more about Potty Training Puppies you need to read how you can benefit from Dog Training Courses which can help you succeed in Housebreaking a Puppy
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