HOW DO I POTTY TRAIN MY DOG?

Most dog owners complain about their dog messing around everywhere with excretes (faeces and Urine) which makes them say words like, “don’t dare bring that dog into the house”, “I’m tired of cleaning up faeces every morning”.

To relieve you of the stress of 24hours non-stop excretes cleaning, it is advisable to potty train your dog which is always easier when your dog is still at the puppy stage.

House training your puppy is about consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement. The goal is to instill good habits and build a loving bond with your pet.

It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year. There are some factors you must consider also during potty training;

1.  Size of your dog - For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips to excrete.
2.  Your puppy's previous living conditions. You may find that you need to help your puppy break old habits in order to establish more desirable ones.

Don’t worry if there are setbacks during the course of training, as long as you continue a management program that includes taking puppy out at the first sign he needs to go and offering him rewards, he would learn.

When should I start Potty Training my Puppy?

Experts recommend that you begin house training your puppy when he is between 12weeks and 16weeks old. At that point, he has enough control of his bladder and bowel movements to learn to hold it.

If your puppy is older than 12 weeks when you bring him home and he’s been eliminating in a cage (and possibly eating his waste), house training may take longer. You will have to reshape the dog’s behavior with encouragement and rewards.

Steps for Housetraining Your Puppy

Experts recommend confining the puppy to a defined space, whether that means in a crate, in a room, or on a leash. As your puppy learns that he needs to go outside to do his business, you can gradually give him more freedom to roam about the house.

When you start to house train, follow these steps:

1.  Designate an area or spot you want your dog to always excrete
2.  Keep the puppy on a regular feeding schedule and take away his food between meals if the time scheduled has elapse.
3.  Take puppy out to eliminate first thing in the morning and then once every 30 minutes to an hour at the designated spot.
4.  Always take him outside after meals or when he wakes from a nap. Make sure he goes out last thing at night and before he’s left alone.
5.  Take puppy to that designated spot each time to do his business. His scent will prompt him to go.
6.  Stay with dog until he/she finishes the business.
7.  After your puppy eliminates, praise him or give him a treat. A walk around the neighborhood is a nice reward too.

 

 
Signs that your puppy needs to eliminate

• Whining
•  Circling
•  Sniffing
•  Barking
•  If your puppy is unconfined, barking or scratching at the door, these are all signs he needs to go. Take him out right away.

 

Do's and Don’ts in Potty Training Your Puppy

·      Punishing your puppy for having an accident is a definite no-no. It teaches your puppy to fear you.

·      If you catch your puppy in the act, clap loudly so he knows he’s done something unacceptable, then take him outside by calling him or taking him gently by the collar. When he’s finished, praise him or give him a small treat.

·      If you found the evidence but didn’t see the act, don’t react angrily by yelling or rubbing his nose in it. Puppies aren’t intellectually capable of connecting your anger with their accident.

·      Clean up accidents with an enzymatic cleanser rather than an ammonia-based cleaner to minimize odors that might attract the puppy back to the same spot.