Potty training a new puppy is an integral part of dog training. At around six to eight weeks of age, if the puppy has not been trained on a potty place toy or course exercise routine is the best time to begin.
There are several ways to start the training. Some breeders recommend using a picnic-type set up with one or two toys and a set of treats as the way to start. Other breeders use one large toy and five small toys to create more chaos and effort on the owner’s part.
Either way, you need to make it clear that your puppy must go out if he needs to potty! If the owner needs help cleaning up the mess, then either a short course exercise or an easy one is all that is needed.
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Keep the process short and simple
Most vet schools and veterinary clinics offer two–week courses on how to potty train a puppy. These courses typically focus on training the puppy off of a potty mat, using a variety of housetraining and toileting situations.
It is recommended that these courses be taught in all weather conditions, as some dogs do not learn how to train themselves off of a bed or crate alone. If your dog is not indoorly trained, then this is an essential part of the process.
The course can be hard and fast at first. We suggest being very gentle and keeping your confidence high by repeating the process every day until you get it right.
Use yummy treats to encourage good behavior
If your puppy has a hard time going to the potty, you can make a habit of giving him a treat when he finishes his business.
Many dogs like to use the potty so this makes sense. If he gets a treat when he goes, then he will be more inclined to do it on his own.
If he doesn’t, try substituting some type of treats with smaller amounts of food- his metabolism may need that extra hungry feel-off-ithood.
Try using one or two tasty treats per day to help potty train your dog. If your puppy has already learned how to go on the bed or in a crate, no need to worry about changing things up other than weather conditions.
Just make sure you keep tabs on your dog for any signs of bladder or bowel problems.
Don’t use yucky spray or soap
Both of these substances are very common substances used for cleaning, and both are also part of potty training. While soap is usually considered a “cleaner” than spray, spray is considered a cleaner than no-rinse product.
Many things are labeled no-rinse, but they are not always actually treated with a detergent. If the thing you are trying to potty train has a dirty bottom, you may need to use something on it that is specifically intended for that purpose.
Detergents tend to work better as scents become more familiar. If your house does not smell like lemon juice, then maybe something stronger like orange or grapefruit should be used!
Neither of these substances are good for your dog, so do not use them! Both enzymes and baking soda can be used to help clean the bottom of the dog when attempting potty training.
Praise your puppy when they do something right
When your puppy does something good, like getting a lick or a fun toy, give them a little treat.
If your puppy misbehaves, punish by withholding a treat. If you want to be more specific, try one of the treats indicated for training purposes.
Never punish your dog by taking away a reward. This is called rewarding bad behavior with worse behavior. It’s much better to give rewards for good behavior, and to avoid giving rewards at all when the behavior being rewarded is not wanted.
If you have ever diet sodas or watermelon, these seem like pretty harsh substances. If you have a puppy, it can be hard to know when enough is enough and they are ready for some kind of reward.
Stay consistent with routines
It is important to give your puppy lots of freedom. However, you can make things more organized for your dog.
A routine helps the dog learn a new task. A task like going potty outside or inside. Aingo knows how to walk a puppy so he stays at his training home every day.
One way to keep a schedule is to set up a training home with one kind of meeting (potty training in the middle) and then two meetings per week (training). The meetings should be at the same time and place every week to keep the schedule consistent.
If your dog doesn’t get enough exercise, then you have to keep an eye on what type of exercise they are getting. More walking, less sitting! It can make a difference in how much energy your dog uses.
Watch for signs that your puppy needs to go potty
It is critical to watch for signs that your puppy needs to go potty. Most often this happens when your puppy is a few weeks to several months old.
While playing in the yard, at the potty, or just curious, take a few steps and look under any rugs or furniture. If you see some liquid or evidence of poop, your puppy may be able
To avoid needing to go potty at a young age, your dog may be hounded by the whole family every time he needs to clean himself. However, with the right environment and training, dogs can learnto own the place quickly.
Keep them on a schedule
Most dogs enjoy their daily exercises. However, if your puppy is not enjoying the schedule, then it is time to change up the routine.
Sometimes, dogs get pulled away from their exercise to allow them for more play time. The game play you were using to train them can be replaced with something new.
If your dog is not old enough for housetraining, then the least you could do is keep a schedule. You can buy special kits that are designed for dogs at a reasonable age. Or you can keep a notebook and calendar to track when the behavior needs to change and when it will happen on its own.
Take them to the potty area at predetermined times
This may seem elementary, but most new dogs need a potty break every half hour or hour. This can be as short as a pat on the back or as long as a trip to the bathroom.
Some dogs need a break more often than that, and taking them to the potty area at designated times is how they get their breaks. When you are using a collar and toy mix works great, you will get his breaks with the help of the collar.
Try taking him out at 6:00 pm and return him at 8:00 pm to get your good night’s sleep. The next day take him for a walk on a leash to make sure he gets his needed bathroom break. Then return him for bedtime walks at 10:30 pm and 12:30 am to make sure he gets his rest.
Once your dog is up for elimination each time, try changing its environment in order to help it learn how to go potty. Make it walk in the house or outside if it is late in the day.