Posts Tagged ‘potty training puppy’
When Should You Start Potty Training Your Puppy?
Potty training your puppy immediately after you bring them home, is the best way to ensure success. Typically, between the age of 3 to 3 1/2 weeks is the right time to begin working on puppy potty training due to the increase in mobility, and they begin to use the bathroom on their own without stimulation from the mother, but it’s not usually something a breeder will work on so it will be up to you.
If you are lucky enough to get a puppy from a breeder who did begin potty training with your puppy, than finishing the job will be a much simpler endeavor. Puppies learn to dislike their own bodily fluids when they begin to be potty trained when they are extremely young. Consequently, they will feel the same way, and won’t use the bathroom where they live or sleep.
Unfortunately, potty training doesn’t usually happen for most pups at this early stage in their life. Most puppies will find their new homes somewhere around 6 or 8 weeks after birth. Up until the time of purchase, if the breeder hasn’t worked with the puppy, they have had free reign to potty wherever they so choose, including their sleeping and living space, which will often make training much more difficult for the new owner. A puppy that has had at least some amount of training will be a much easier pup to work with.
It’s important to begin potty training your new puppy the minute they get to their new home. Begin teaching the puppy where they should relieve themselves immediately, but avoid using scare tactics, as this could make the puppy more difficult to manage. There are a couple of reasons why you should do this.
For one, it teaches your puppy from the beginning that there are designated places for them to relieve themselves, and other places are off limits. These behaviors you want to instill in them will need to be a repetitive process in order for them to learn. The second reason is that allowing them to potty wherever they choose will only lead to the puppy thinking that their behavior is acceptable, and they will continue to follow this pattern. This leniency will create several long term problems for you and your canine friend.
Teaching a puppy where not to go right from the start is without a doubt the best tactic for potty training, stopping any bad behavior right off the rip will help enforce the correct places for them to do their business. To avoid confusion, use the same approach throughout the potty training process. Consistency is extremely important in order for your puppy potty training to be successful. After you have chosen a potty training method, continue using that same method throughout the training process.
If you are starting from scratch in potty training your puppy, or if you find that you are having to work on undoing some inappropriate behaviors, your puppy’s potty training may take quite a while. So, you will certainly help your cause by beginning to work with them immediately after getting them. By doing this, you should have a much less difficult time with potty training your puppy, and hopefully complete this task in a shorter amount of time.
Patience And Persistence Are Needed For Potty Training Puppies
Persistence pays off when it comes to potty training puppies. It also helps to be patient with newborn pups. Soon your puppy will be the ideal dog. Puppies don't like to disappoint their owner and they will work hard to please. From the start it is best to get a puppy used to going outdoors in a designated area. You should keep your commands simple. Use of the word "potty" will suffice. When they hear this enough times they will likely learn to go on command. Lavish praise and give a little treat when the desired job is accomplished. You will be amazed at how much a dog will do for a snack.
Planning a puppy's potty time after meals and when they wake up helps puppies get into a pattern. Potty training a puppy can still be accomplished even if you're at work all day, with nobody at home. Crating the puppies help them to have a place all their own. This also gives your puppy a sense of security, especially when it is filled with toys and a little treat. While the master is at work, you should cover the floor in a designated potty area. Close off the day care location from unwelcome areas. Place floor covering away from the crate so the smell does not disturb them.
Accidents will no doubt happen but they do not have to be the focus. It is best to clean up and move on. If caught in the act just say "no" firmly without yelling and put them in the proper potty area. This will send a message that the puppy is being put on notice and they are not likely to consistently repeat the behavior. Whenever it looks like they will not be getting the master's attention they are better off placed in the day time care area. This way they will not get in trouble.
Puppies have a lot of energy between naps and will need to get plenty of exercise. When taking walks, include puppies as soon as possible. If they are short legged then potty training puppies may also include carrying them part of the way. At that time, let them out at good potty areas. Some people push little pups in a baby carriage since their legs may not be ready for long distances. Whatever method you are going to use, be sure to incorporate walks and play daily. When they have their own toys and their own space they will enjoy their mini palace on into adult life. Persistence and patience are key to raising healthy, trained puppies.
Bob Walker, the author of this article, is the proud owner of a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier which is named Una (rhymes with Tuna) which means 'Little Lamb' in Gaelic. Bob also has a blog with puppy potty training articles and videos that can be found on the World Wide Web by typing in - potty training puppies info - and adding .com