Whilst the process of puppy house training can be a handful, it won’t always be that way. Be patient and consistent, and your efforts will pay off, particularly in setting a regular time frame in the first weeks of your puppy’s arrival. When done right, you and your new puppy will have a powerful bonding experience, which will also help establish yourself as an able pack leader.
Assign the Right Area
Determine the area where your puppy will eliminate. It should be a place where he feels safe. It could be an indoor or outdoor toilet area. Always stay with him during toilet time until he is completely house-trained.
Training a puppy to use an indoor toilet area is called paper training. You could make use of old newspapers or alternatively purchasing puppy potty pads. There are also purposely-made potty training boxes for puppies.
On the other hand, outdoor house-training requires frequent trips outside. It will be helpful to choose an area not too far from the back door to reduce the possibility of accidents on the way to the designated area.
Follow a Regular Toilet Schedule
Puppies have smaller bladders and efficient digestive tracks. This means that they would need to go to the toilet more frequently. Take him to the designated area about 20–30 minutes after drinking or eating.
Take your puppy to the designated area to relieve himself first thing in the morning, before bedtime, and after naps. Always be consistent throughout the process so your puppy can get used to the routine and learn the habit quickly. Setting your alarm clock early so you wake up before your puppy does will help; it will minimise the occurrence of morning accidents.
Give Rewards During Puppy House Training
Give appropriate rewards after your little pup has relieved himself to let him know that he has done a great job. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture as he will likely be happy with a little treat, some praise, or playtime. Make sure to give rewards right after the deed so that the puppy will learn to associate the positive action with the positive effect.
Condition Your Puppy with a Cue Word
Teach your puppy a cue word. You can encourage toilet time on command by introducing a specific word whilst your little puppy is still relieving himself.
What to Do in Case of Accidents
No matter how good your efforts are whilst house-training your puppy, there are likely going to have setbacks. When it happens, remember to keep your cool. Never use punishment; if you do, it will create a negative association with the practice and he may no longer be comfortable going to the toilet area in your presence. After the accident, immediately remove the waste and ensure that the unpleasant odour is removed.
It is important to stay calm and assertive when house-training your pup. As your furry friend grows older and gets used to his routine, relieving himself at the right area will become a natural thing to do. He will also learn to hold the urge to relieve himself longer.
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