A little puppy is a lot of responsibility. You need to teach him that your slippers are not chew toys, the mail carrier isn’t evil, and that a bicycle is not something to be chased. You also need to teach him not to go to the bathroom indoors. If you have never bought a puppy before, you may not know where to start. The best way to house train a puppy is to keep in mind potty training basics.
A similar process
For those who have children, they understand the difficulties of potty training. You had to help your son or daughter learn to use a potty instead of a diaper, a slow and sometimes confusing process. When they finally get it, however, there is much rejoicing and you don’t know who is more excited, you or them.
The process of house training a puppy is similar. You need to teach the puppy to go outside, preferably in one location in your yard. By remembering potty training basics and being consistent, training will be as rapid as can be expected.
Critical elements of potty training
The most effective training is divided into the following components:
- Confinement
- Training
- Praise
- Timing
Confinement
Dog crates are great training tools if they are not too large. As puppies do not want to defecate where they sleep, start with a smaller crate or use dividers to limit the size of the crate to what is recommended in the dog crate sizing guide. In addition, keep in mind that puppies will destroy any blankets or other bedding in the crate.
Training
When let out of the crate, take your puppy directly to the designated potty place outside. As puppies need to stay focused, they should be kept on leashes when taken outside during training. This will enable you to keep them from running after distractions and lead them directly to the place they should go potty. When taking them to the place, have a set phrase (or cue word), such as “go potty” you can say repeatedly. In addition, repeat and teach the word “outside” so that they know outside is where they should relieve themselves.
If your puppy shows no signs of going potty, confine him back in the crate try again after 20 minutes or so. They have small, untrained bladders need many chances. There may be times you need to sit them down and stay. You need to be patient and wait for your puppy to figure things out.
Praise
You should reward your dog when he does go to the bathroom outdoors. Bring small treats with you when you take your puppy out and give him one or two when he goes outside. Mix treats with plenty of verbal praise and be enthusiastic. Dogs want to please their owners, and if they see how happy you are, they will want to perform the same action again.
This is also a good time to play with your puppy outdoors or let him engage in some other activities he enjoys.
Timing
In addition to after eating, you should take your puppy out first thing in the morning, last thing at night (stop food and water by 8 p.m) and after any change in activity. Taking your puppy out after each meal is a good idea as well. Try to take your puppy out around the same times every day and create a schedule. Eventually, your dog will adjust and learn to go at these times.
Potty training is best when attempted every hour during the day and several times at night. A length of confinement between going to the bathroom is equivalent to their age in months. For example, a puppy that is two months old can be confined for two hours, a puppy that is three months for four hours and so on up to eight months old.
You should also look for signs that urination or defecation is imminent. These include sniffing, circling, running out of the room and suddenly stopping play. Your puppy may also have a weird look on his face.
Accidents happen
It will take time to train your puppy. The best way to house train a puppy is to understand that accidents will happen. When they do, don’t punish your pet. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly to eliminate the odor or your puppy may go there again. Just be persistent and it will work eventually. If nothing seems to work, your dog may have a medical condition and should be taken to a vet.
With time and patience, your puppy will learn to go outside every time. The best way to house train a puppy is to be patient and consistent. Create a schedule and take him out at times when he is most likely to go. Limit food and drink at night, and don’t punish your pet for the occasional accident. Practicing these tips will not only house train your dog, it will also strengthen your relationship.