If you’re like most dog owners, you want to potty train your puppy as quickly as possible. Theoretically, potty training should be simple: All you have to do is teach your dog where and when to relieve themselves. However, this might be a little more difficult in practice than you may anticipate. Puppies can be difficult to housebreak, but with a bit of patience and some basic training techniques, you can have your puppy trained in just seven days! This blog post will discuss some top tips for potty training your puppy. Follow these tips, and your pup will be using the bathroom outside like a pro in no time!
Contents
- 1 Start By Establishing A Potty Routine.
- 2 Introduce Your Puppy To The Potty Area Outside.
- 3 Watch For Signs That Your Puppy Needs To Go.
- 4 Reward Your Puppy For Good Behavior.
- 5 Avoid Punishing Your Puppy For Accidents
- 6 Make Arrangements For When You’ll Be Gone.
- 7 Be Consistent And Patient!
- 8 Conclusion:
Start By Establishing A Potty Routine.
The best schedule for puppies is a consistent one. A routine teaches them when to eat, play, and go to the bathroom. Puppies are very adaptable creatures and can learn to follow a consistent schedule if given a chance.
Taking puppies out first thing in the morning and then again every hour or so until just before bed is recommended when you’re just getting started potty training. However, keep in mind that some dogs may need to go more frequently, particularly tiny breeds.
If you don’t want to get up in the middle of the night to clean up a mess, try feeding your dog at the same times each day and restricting access to water a few hours before bedtime. This will help them learn when to expect food and water so that they can hold it in between meals.
Introduce Your Puppy To The Potty Area Outside.
If you haven’t done so already, now would be a good time to introduce your puppy to the potty area outside. It may seem like an obvious step, but many puppies have never been introduced before and need some extra encouragement from their owners. That way, they can become accustomed to it firsthand! It is also good to make sure your dog goes to the same location every time he goes outside to pee during this stage of training. This will assist them in remembering where they are supposed to go when they need to go. When you’re house training a puppy, it’s critical to maintain consistency since dogs can smell their “territory.” If you live in an apartment and don’t have a backyard, consider taking your puppy for a walk or to a designated park each time they need to go potty.
Watch For Signs That Your Puppy Needs To Go.
In addition to taking your puppy outside on a regular schedule, you should also be watching for signs that they need to relieve themselves. These can include:
- Whining
- Scratching at the door
- Squatting
- Circling around or standing next to you
- Sniffing the ground
When you notice any of these warning signs, you’ll need to quickly get your dog outside, so prepare ahead of time. Keep a leash close by, allowing you to quickly usher them outside. Once outside, take them to the designated area and wait several minutes. If they don’t go within that time, bring them back inside and repeat the process in half an hour or so (depending on how long it took before).
Reward Your Puppy For Good Behavior.
When your puppy does go potty outside, make sure you praise them for being a good boy/girl! This will encourage them to do this again next time they need to and create positive reinforcement for their behavior! You can give your dog praise or treats, or both, as a reward for going in the correct spot. It is essential to do this immediately after your puppy goes, so they associate the good feeling with going potty. They’ll soon discover that going to the bathroom when and where you want is in their best interests.
Avoid Punishing Your Puppy For Accidents
One of the worst things you can do when house training a puppy is to punish them for accidents. This will only make them more anxious and likely to have accidents in the future as they won’t understand why they are being scolded. Instead, if you catch your dog in the act of going inside, clap loudly or say “NO!” to interrupt them, then take them outside immediately. Clean up any messes calmly and without yelling so, your puppy doesn’t get frightened or confused.
Make Arrangements For When You’ll Be Gone.
If you know you’ll be gone for an extended period, make arrangements for someone to come over and take your puppy outside on a regular schedule. This way, they won’t have any accidents in the house and will continue to learn where they are supposed to go potty. You can also crate train your puppy so that they have a designated space to stay in when you’re not home. Placing newspapers or pee pads inside the crate will help minimize messes.
Be Consistent And Patient!
As we mentioned before, consistency is key when potty training a pup. Dogs thrive on routine, so try to be as patient as possible and stick to the schedule you’ve set. It may take a little while for your dog to get the hang of things, but with time and patience, you’ll have a well-trained potty-goer on your hands! It’s critical to note that your puppy is still a baby with a lot to learn. So, perseverance is essential. Potty training might be challenging at times, but you’ll make it through it.
Conclusion:
If you follow these steps, your puppy will be house trained in no time! Keep up the good work, and remember that every dog is different, so don’t get discouraged if it takes more than one try. Your pup wants to please you, but they’re still learning how to do that. Patience and training are both worth investing in because your puppy deserves nothing less from their family! All dogs should have a happy home where they feel loved and cared for – this includes teaching them what’s expected of them as part of being a member of the family.
