Inviting a puppy into your life is a big decision with countless rewards. Not only are they just about the cutest thing you’ve ever laid your eyes on, but they’re also filled with limitless affection for you. However, owning a puppy isn’t without its challenges. Without a doubt, potty training is one of the biggest you will encounter. It takes practice and patience, and perhaps a few mishaps along the way.
However, for all the hard work you put in, you’ll be rewarded with a well-trained puppy who knows exactly where to do his or her business! If you’re ready to take the plunge, be sure to read our 4 expert puppy potty training tips.
Start EarlyThe earlier you start your puppy potty training, the easier it will be. That being said, you will need to wait until they have matured enough to have sufficient control of their bladder and bowel movements. It’s for this reason that experts generally recommend starting potty training when a puppy is three to four months old.
An added benefit of potty training your puppy early is that they will take to other types of training easily. For example, when you are ready to train them to do tricks using a dog training collar, they’ll be able to pick them up faster.
There are a number of reasons you may prefer to choose this method of potty training. One of the major reasons could be because you don’t have an outdoor area or the one you have is very small.
This method is straightforward, but it will take some patience. First, pick an area of the house you would like your puppy to do their business. Then, cover your chosen area in pee pads. Otherwise known as potty pads, these are sheets that are designed to absorb your puppy’s messes. There are many benefits to using them, such as the fact that they’re easy to clean up, convenient, and comfortable for your dog to use.
You should place your puppy’s bed nearby so they begin to associate the area as their own. When the pee pads become soiled, replace them.
Outside of the houseIf you have a backyard and your puppy isn’t currently receiving their core vaccines, it will save you time, hassle, and resources to skip indoor training. There are a couple of ways to go about training your puppy to relieve themselves outside of the house.
Perhaps the most popular method is to place your puppy outside at times it is likely to need to relieve itself. That is, after they’ve just woken up, within half an hour of eating or drinking, or when they’re very excited or have been active. To pinpoint when the best times to take your puppy out of the house, you can keep notes on when they tend to go to the toilet.
Always Use Positive ReinforcementIf your puppy accidentally pees in the wrong place, it can be tempting to get frustrated. However, you should refrain from scolding your puppy, taking away their toys as punishment, or other negative reinforcement techniques. Negative reinforcement, particularly at such a young age, will cause your puppy stress and may, in fact, make them act out in defiance.
The best way to potty train a puppy is to use positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement teaches your puppy to follow the desired behavior by rewarding them when they do so. As Cesar’s Way explains, positive reinforcement isn’t simply a case of constantly praising them every time they do something right. There are many do’s and don’ts you need to keep in mind along the way.