Puppy Potty Training – You really can put an end to the mess and frustration

Potty training your puppy is one of the first training activities you will probably do with your puppy, Your puppy will be under the care of its mother for the first weeks of its life. After 3 weeks as it moves away from the whelping box the puppy potty training begins.

If you are in the position of having the mother and puppies in your home then housebreaking a puppy can start very early. However, for most households, the puppy will arrive in your home around 10 weeks of age and may or may not have been fully trained.

Puppy Potty Training – Routine is the key

Routine, patience and repetition are the keys to successfully potty training puppies. Start housetraining a dog as soon as he arrives in your home. Take it outside to the place you have designated or to a box indoors if that is your choice. Stay with the puppy until he has finished then praise with a phrase you will always use – such as ‘be clean’ or ‘clean dog’. It doesn’t matter what you say so long as you always use it when you are puppy potty training.

 

Puppy Potty Training – be patient, accidents happen.

As with all puppy obedience training the key to puppy potty training is patience and not making a drama. If your dog has an ‘accident’ in the house it is important to clear it up in silence. Do not chastise or speak to the puppy – your silence will register strongly. Success however should always be rewarded – lavish praise and sometime a treat.

Your puppy should be taken to the potty area first thing in the morning and repeat this after every meal. Also when puppy awakes from a sleep – particularly when the puppy is very young. Initially stay with the puppy for his puppy potty training, gradually moving away until he goes to the area on his own when let out.

Successful puppy house breaking will lead to a relaxed and happy relationship and will lay the foundation for future training sessions to be enjoyed by both you and your dog.

 

Potty training works for both puppies and adult dogs

It doesnt matter if you are training a puppy, an older dog or a dog you rescued from the shelter, you need to get your dog house trained now !

We hope this guide has provided some timely tips and advice. Remember to take advantage of the links provided to seek professional advice both for cleaning up messes that may have already occurred, but also for overcoming some of the most common stumbling blocks that you may encounter while housebreaking your dog.

 

Some puppy potty training do’s and don’ts…….

• DO try to be extra vigilant during these important first few months. It is very easy to forget about puppy’s toilet needs ! If you cannot be with him, then make sure he is safe or in his crate.
• DO take your puppy or dog to the potty area first thing in the morning and after every meal. Ensure he is also taken when he awakes from a sleep (particularly when the puppy is very young) and after extended play sessions
• DO take your puppy to the same potty area each time

• DO NOT keep changing your puppy’s routine, consistency is the key. Try to feed and exercise your puppy at the same time everyday. This may mean thinking about when you run errands and plan trips.
• DO NOT punish or shout at your puppy when he has a toilet accident ! Simply remove him to the potty area. You need to maintain your assertive role and above all stay calm.

• DO NOT allow your puppy to become conditioned to using ‘wee-wee pads’ alone. A dog will not naturally mess his own living environment or ‘den’ and it is essential he learns to relieve himself outdoors as well

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