Are you a new puppy parent? Do you need a crash course in how to potty train a puppy?
If your answer is a resounding "YES!", I can guarantee you that you're not alone!
Potty training a puppy is often one of the biggest challenges new puppy parents meet.
But it doesn't have to be that way, you can potty train a puppy without tears and trauma if you follow some simple guidelines and are consistent, patient and determined.
It's not magic, or luck, or even that your puppy is smarter (or not!) than the neighbors pooch, it's just a matter of following tried-and-tested methods, and sticking with it!
Ready to get started? Okay, here goes...
The Golden Rules
If you want to potty train a puppy effectively you need to follow the Golden Rules! Puppies learn through repetition and it's very important that little Fido learns the RIGHT stuff, right from Day 1 (or even Hour 1 to be exact).
Potty training begins the minute you bring that precious puppy home, before you even step inside your home.
It's easiest to potty train a puppy if you have a daily routine,a designated 'potty spot' outside, a crate, an understanding of the limited capacity of a puppy bladder/bowels (!) and a good dollop of patience.
Once you've assembled all of the above, you're ready to get started - Your puppy!
Designate a specific 'potty spot' Make sure there's an area of your yard just for Fido, and ALWAYS take him there to do his business. Introduce him to it as soon as you get him home, before you even take him inside the house, and hopefully he'll be ready to relieve himself.
To encourage your puppy to 'go' exactly where you want him to, try Train-Um potty training aid it's designed to attract him to the particular spot you've chosen, and it really does help!
Realize that puppies need to potty a lot! The average 8 week old pup needs to go out approx. every 30 mins during the day. Always take him to his potty spot after every meal, nap and playtime - and anytime he is whining, circling and sniffing, or seems restless or agitated (all classic signs that he needs to 'go'). Check out our useful Potty Training Schedule to get an idea of what sort of routine works best.
Never leave your puppy to run around the house unsupervised When you're beginning to potty train a puppy, NEVER leave your puppy to run around the house unsupervised. Dogs are naturally clean animals and will do their best not to soil in their den.
However, your home is considerably larger than a dog's natural den, and it will take some time for Fido to realize that the whole house is, in fact, his den and needs to be kept clean. Whenever you're not watching him, put the puppy in a separate room (preferably with a clean-able floor!), in a fenced-off area of the kitchen or in his crate.
Pick a 'Trigger Word' and use it consistently When potty training, choose a word or phrase (called a 'trigger word') and repeat it quietly as you encourage Fido to 'do his business'. "Potty time" or "hurry up" work, just choose something you're comfortable with.
Over time your puppy will come to associate this word or phrase with the action of emptying his bowels or bladder and will appear to 'go' on command. This aspect of potty training is something that will prove invaluable when it's 20F below and you don't want to stand outside for the next 45 minutes!
Make sure your puppy knows when he's succeeded Always praise Fido when he 'goes' in the appropriate spot. Your puppy wants to please you and this is how he knows he's been successful.
Don't scold, if he makes a mistake so have you! Never scold your puppy for an potty training 'accident' unless you actually catch him in the act. Fido doesn't know a puddle on the carpet is wrong, and his memory is short. If he's had the opportunity to have an 'accident' you've also failed somewhere. Maybe you didn't supervise enough, or forgot that he needed to go out after lunch or whatever. Your job is to make sure he's set up to succeed!
However, if he does squat right in front of you it's perfectly OK to say "No' or "Bad" in a loud, firm voice. It may even startle him into pausing mid-flow. Scoop him up immediately and take him straight to his potty spot and let him finish his 'business'. Then give him lots of praise. Even if he seems to have emptied his bladder or bowels onto the carpet, still take him outside and repeat the 'trigger word' so that he understands that this is where he's supposed to 'go'.
Housetraining For Dummies
I love the '...For Dummies' series of dog training books, and this one's no exception.
The very words 'house-training' can strike fear into the heart of puppy owners everywhere! well, there's no need to panic if you have this book in your own, personal library.
Written with a humorous touch, this puppy training book is packed with practical tips and information to help you tackle the challenges of housetraining with confidence.
Topics covered include :
Your dog's instincts and learning style
Taking the right approach to housetraining
Equipment you'll need (such as crate, cleaning supplies etc.)
Indoor and outdoor training options
It doesn't matter if you're a newbie, or an experienced puppy parent...if you have a puppy, you need this book!
Find the answers to all your questions by searching our site using the searchbox below!
This will stop him returning to the same spot because he's attracted by the smell (strange little creatures aren't they?).
There are a whole host of dog urine cleaning products on the market today, some effective, some not so much. You can find a full list of the ones that we personally recommend on our Dog Urine Cleaning Products page.
If you live in an apartment without access to a grassy area, or if your puppy is going to be alone for long periods during the day, trying to potty train a puppy may be a little more challenging.
But don't worry with persistence, patience and a crate you can still be successful!
Crate training
is useful for lots of reasons, not just to help potty training a puppy. Although when I got my first puppy, I resisted a crate to begin with because I thought it was cruel, I can honestly say I was totally wrong!
You'll find that Fido's crate will soon become his favorite 'den',a safe place where he'll feel happy and secure. When we want to potty train a puppy (or 9!), we always use a crate it makes life so much easier for everyone (including them!).
Check out our detailed guide to
crate training a puppy
and find out why Fido will actually love his crate.
Can you repeat that please?
Repetition is the key to successfully housebreaking your pup, and when potty training a puppy, you're going to need lots of patience, persistence and consistency.
If you can prevent your little furball from thinking that it's okay to 'do his business' inside, and are consistent (bordering on fanatical) about taking him outside regularly, you've got a good chance of making steady progress.
The good news is that if you do YOUR job properly, Fido will get the general idea very quickly. However, do remember he's only a baby and when you potty train a puppy you can't reasonably expect him to be totally reliable before he's 4 - 6 months old. This figure can vary depending on the size, breed and personality of your dog as well as on how effective a teacher you've been!
However, as long as you 'stick with the program', you will be rewarded with a clean puppy (and house). Remember, little Fido wants to please you, and to potty train a puppy properly all you need to do is show him how to be successful and help him achieve it.
If you think you'll need a little help to potty train a puppy Click Here! to check out an easy to follow guide that will help you train your puppy without tears and trauma. It's guaranteed to work, with any breed and even any age of dog or puppy!
If you know a friend or family member who needs help potty training their pooch, why not help them out by sharing this page with them today?
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