Veterinarians and pet stores are often bombarded with desperate pleas from new dog owners who need tips for potty training a puppy but in reality it is usually the owner that needs to be trained! You see, potty training a puppy is really a game of patience and persistence and that is something that a lot of dog owners don't have.
If you really want your puppy to be housebroken, you need to resign yourself to the fact that it's going to take some effort on your part.
You have to take the responsibility to train the dog, not the other way around.
You know your puppy wants to please you, but if you are giving him mixed signals, how can you expect him to know what to do? Luckily, you can easily housebreak or potty train your dog if you just remember the five simple steps listed below.
Sticking to a routine and schedule is key as well as understanding your puppy's needs and working with them - not against them.
5 Tips For Potty Training A Puppy 1.
Work With Nature.
When potty training your dog you want to go with nature and that means getting to know your dog's habits and keeping a close eye on him so you know when he is thinking about doing his "business".
When you notice that it is time for him to "go", you can head off any accidents by simply taking him outside and telling them to do his business.
When he complies, of course, you want to lavish them with praise and maybe even give them a treat so he knows that doing this business outside is a good thing to do.
2.
Bring Your Pup Outside Right Away.
As I stated in step one, you want to bring your dog outside right away as soon as you notice that he is thinking about going.
If you see him squatting or sniffing around, distract him and pick them up and get him outside right away.
I don't care if you're in the middle of cooking dinner or watching your favorite TV program it's vital that you interrupt him from going in the house and get them outside right away.
3.
Always Use Positive Reinforcement.
One of the most important tips for potty training a puppy is to always reward your dog when he does his "business" outside but never punish him when you happen across an accident inside.
If you do see him about to eliminate inside then you can get his attention with a voice command and bring him outside, but after he has gone inside, dragging him over and rubbing his face and it will do you no good.
You see, the dog doesn't realize why you are punishing him after the fact and it will only cause confusion.
4.
Remember, Puppies Have Small Bladders.
Don't expect your puppy to be able to hold it for 10 hours while you're at work.
Puppies have small bladders and you need to take this into account in your training.
While it's ideal to be on hand every time your puppy has to go so you can burn him outside, if you do have to work, you will have to consider an alternate method - paper or pad training.
5.
Clean Up Accidents Thoroughly.
When your puppy has an accident in the house, and he will, you need to clean it up right away so that the smell isn't there anymore.
The smell can attract them to want to eliminate in this area and getting rid of it will help your house training efforts.
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.