PuppyPottyTrianing

~Below are some Articles about Potty Training your New Puppy~

Please note that this information does not replace professional veterinary care. It is solely for educational purposes. Your pet's medical condition should be evaluated by a veterinarian before any medical decisions are implemented. If there is a potentially life-threatening emergency involving your pet, take your pet to a veterinarian or veterinary facility immediately.

Puppy Potty Training

There are as many ideas on the best way to house train a puppy as there are breeds of dogs. But there is one common school of thought....consistency is key.

Dogs are naturally clean animals. According to Dennis Fetko, Ph.D., an animal behaviorist in San Diego, 'if you follow this instinct for cleanliness when your new puppy comes home, your pup can be house-trained within 48 hours.' Training your puppy in 48 hours takes some high-intensity training with your puppy, and you might not be able to spend this much time with her. But if you use the same philosophy, working more slowly you can get the same result.

The best defense is a good offense, so start taking the preventative approach with your puppy right from the beginning by taking her outside (or to where you intend for her to relieve herself inside, if you live in an apartment) several times during the day.

The key times that a puppy must relieve herself are first thing in the morning, after each meal, and after waking up from a nap. If you establish a routine with your puppy and keep an eye on her, you'll soon know exactly when she needs to go.

In the house, keep your new puppy in your sight at all times. This will minimize the number of accidents she has and keep her from developing preferences for going in areas that are off-limits. And be sure to clean up any mess as soon as she makes it, so she'll learn it's much nicer to be clean than to be dirty.

If you catch your puppy in the act, try making a lot of noise (clapping your hands, shaking keys, stomping your feet). This should make her stop what she's doing to listen, and you can quickly pick her up and take her to the proper location, then praise her lavishly when she's finished.

Never yell at her or hit her...this will only teach her not to go when you can see her, so she'll find more creative places to relieve herself when you're not looking!

Remember...be consistent, firm--but gentle--, and soon your new puppy will be housetrained.

House Training DO's and DON'T's

DO accompany your puppy outside.

DO lavish your puppy with praise and/or rewards when it "gets it right."

DO anticipate when your puppy will need to relieve itself and take it to an appropriate place.

DO show your puppy where it should have gone whenever you catch it in the act of having an accident.

DO clean all accidents thoroughly to remove stains and odors.

DON'T scold your puppy for accidents unless you catch it "in the act."

DON'T push your puppy's face into the soiled area.

Housetraining Your Puppy

If you have just bought (or are considering buying) a new puppy, then one of your concerns will most likely be housebreaking your new pet. Puppies, like babies have limited control of their bodily functions, so a simple training plan will need to be implemented from day one. The following guide will give you a quick start to housetraining your pet.

An important point to note about dogs is that by nature they are relatively clean animals, and they do not do their business around their sleeping or eating areas. In training your puppy, the key is to identify which are acceptable areas for your puppy to eliminate, and which are not.

One of the most common methods recommended for puppy housetraining is knows as 'crate training'. Crate training involves setting up a cage or cordoned off area that will act as a living area (crate) for your puppy in which they can sleep, eat and play. The purpose of the crate is not to incarcerate your pup, but to create a distinct living area that your pup will be familiar with. Your pup should be taken outside to its designated bathroom at least every 2 hours. While dogs do not eliminate in their living areas, if you leave your puppy in the crate for too long, it will have no other choice. Young puppies may need to eliminate every 2 - 3 hours, so you will need to be attentive to your pup.

When you do take your pup outside for its business, be sure to use the same toilet area each time and you may also want to go outside via the same route. By following the same routine, it will become a habit for your pup to eliminate in the same place and much less likely for it to eliminate somewhere that is not so familiar. Over time you will become more familiar with your pup's timing, and if you are always feeding your pup on a regular schedule, then it will also do its business on a regular schedule.

When you feel your puppy has adjusted to its toilet area and living area, you can slowly begin letting your pup into other parts of the house. However, do always leave open access to the toilet area, because if your pup can't get there it will find another suitable spot which may be in the house. The occasional accident will occur, but its all part of the process.

Housetraining your puppy does require a little work and patience but the benefits are well worthwhile.Housetraining Your Puppy

If you have just bought (or are considering buying) a new puppy, then one of your concerns will most likely be housetraining your new pet. Puppies, like babies have limited control of their bodily functions, so a simple training plan will need to be implemented from day one. The following guide will give you a quick start to housetraining your pet.

Housetraining your puppy does require a little work and patience but the benefits are well worthwhile.

Keys to Housetraining Your New Puppy.

Training your puppy to go to the bathroom outdoors may seem like a daunting task, but with some time and patience, you shouldn't’ have any trouble. The most important aspect of training is consistency.

Crate training makes the housetraining job much easier. Confining your puppy to a crate while you are not around will not only protect him from hazards in the house, but will also help him learn to hold his urine and bowel movements. You must be reasonable about your expectations for your puppy, however. A young puppy can’t stay in a crate for 10 hours a day while everyone is away at work. Very young puppies need to go outside every 2 to 3 hours. Plan accordingly.

You can start training your puppy from day one. Positive reinforcement is the key to the training process. Most puppies are motivated by food, so using some small treats or even some pieces of puppy food works really well. Take your puppy outside, set him where you would like him to go to the bathroom, and when he goes, act like it is the greatest thing you have ever seen. Praise him and give him a treat. Every time he goes to the bathroom outside, do this.

Anytime a puppy eats something, he will need to go outside. Don’t let your puppy nibble on a bowl of food all day long, you will find the housetraining process extremely discouraging. Feed meals (2-4 per day) so that you can take your puppy out after every meal.

Most puppies are easy to housetrain, but have a small lapse in training around 12-14 weeks. If your puppy is doing really well and suddenly has a few accidents for a day or two, don’t worry. Things should get back to normal right away. If the problem persists, there could be a medical problem. Puppies can develop bladder infections. If your puppy is extremely difficult to train or was trained previously and is now having accidents, talk with your veterinarian.

This page was last updated: May 8, 2008

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Rock Hill Dog Ranch, Victoria F. Lewis.