Potty training puppy

cheryl wheeler

Advice on potty training your dog
You've just brought home this adorable little puppy and in appreciation he has left you a present, a smelly little pile of poop. What do you do now? Day one with puppy is time to start training. You want to start right away before bad behavior becomes a habit.

To start with, confine your pet with either a child's safety gate, in one room or in a doggy crate. The less room the better, dogs don't usually defecate or urinate in their own beds, to much space and he/she will go in one area and sleep in another. Freedom is earned with good behavior, peeing and pooping outside.

The next step take determination, patience and endurance on your part. Start by putting your pet on a leash and taking him out every two hours. He will need to go out during the night also. But make sure you stay strictly business at night time, unless you want to have play time in the middle of the night, every night. By the time he is four months old he should be able to hold himself through the night. Choose a place near the house where you would like him to go. Take him there, on the leash, let him sniff around about five minutes or so. Use words to encourage him to go. Use the same word or phrase every time. If he gets distracted, and puppies are easily distracted, a gentle tug on the leash and repeating the word or phase you have chosen to use to mean peeing or pooping should do the trick. Otherwise just stand there and wait. If he doesn't go don't worry, just go back inside and try again in 15 or 20 minute intervals till he does. When he does go, praise him with words during the act and loving or a treat after. Don't just send him outside by himself. You must be there in person to praise during and immediately after the act.

You will have to do this every two hours and within twenty to thirty minutes of eating or drinking, time this to know exactly when is right for your pet. Get the puppy on a regular schedule of breakfast and dinner at the same time every day. Puppies will also need to go every time there is a change in activity, like from playing to sleeping or chewing or eating. Get to know your puppies signals, a facial expression, sniffing around for a place to go or suddenly stopping whatever he is doing. Anticipate his need.

There are specific times, like first thing in the morning, that you know he will need to go. These times will be the easiest to catch and reinforce good behavior.

Always reward good behavior. Avoid reinforcing bad behavior, don't rub his nose in it or holler and scream. The worst punishment to your adoring little pet is to ignore him. Simply crate him and ignore him. Never let him see you clean up his messes and always use a pet odor removal product.

If you are still having trouble, ask yourself, are you taking him out enough? Is there any physical reason, ie. parasites or urinary tract infection? Are you expecting to much to soon? Do you consistently praise for good behavior and ignore bad behavior?

About the Author

Cheryl Wheeler is mother of six, publisher and author. You can check out her website at http://www.simply-amusing.com

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