Dog Owner's Guide

Tips For Potty Training a Puppy

Potty training your puppy is not really something that you can expect to do until you little guy has hit about the six-month mark. Any younger than this, and it is not really reasonable to expect them to be able to control their bladders like an older dog would.

Puppy potty training is one of those times that you will be able to give your puppy a treat that he really deserves and loves. Now most people will want their puppy to learn to use the potty outside rather quickly. However some mistakes can be made that will not help your puppy be potty trained quickly. Some of them are you are hurrying your dog, you are not paying attention to your dogs behavior when he tells you he has to go potty, or you just do not take your puppy to the proper spot for him in your hard.

Prepare a feeding schedule and stick to it as much as possible. This is important as your puppies bathroom habits are directly influenced by the food and liquids that they consume. Puppies will normally go to the bathroom within 10-15 minutes of eating or drinking. A routine is essential. I would suggest taking up your puppies food and water (H20) bowls 2 hours before bedtime and always taking your puppy out to the designated potty spot immediately following meal times and before bed.

Repetition: Most puppies have to lean how to do things. I truly believe to expect a puppy before it is a couple months old to learn to go outside to eliminate is almost in possible. They learn by repetition. That is why the puppy pads can be effective. Because you are showing him/her where to go. Over time they get it and will start to eliminate on the pad.

Commands: Try to use the same word all the time to mean go out side or where ever you want the puppy to go and eliminate. Use a word that comes naturally for you. I use the phrase “go potty”. Experts say it is really best to use one word. I usually say it with excitement so that the puppy understands the difference in my voice.

When puppy does well and goes potty where he is supposed to give him a treat to let him know puppy has done good. Praising puppy for going to potty outside is very important the more you praise your puppy the easier it will get.

Walk away from your dog if it has an accident in the house. Show it no affection and don’t speak to it. It will then learn that what it did wasn’t pleasing to you. Since dogs seek to please their owners, your dog will quickly stop.

These as some of the basic tips for potty training a puppy, but if you really want to be successful, you should consider an in-depth course where you can train your dog at home. Thinking of training as a bonding exercise between you and your dog will help take some of the stress out of what can be a trying time.