Some people call it potty training. Others call it housebreaking. No matter what you call it, housetraining a puppy is something most new dog owners dread. Everyone you talk to will probably give you different advice, which can leave you pretty confused.
Don't despair. I've got six tips that you can use to make the house training process a lot easier on you and your new puppy.
Tip #1: Have a Consistent Feeding Schedule
Free feeding as become popular among dog owners. This is where the dog food is left out so your dog can eat whenever he wants to. This might be fine for older, housebroken dogs, but when you are house training a new dog it's best to feed him at the same times each day.
Most dogs need to go potty after eating. By having a set schedule, you can control when your dog eats and know when he will need to go potty. You'll have fewer accidents if you follow this important tip.
Tip #2: Help Your Puppy Succeed By Following A Potty Schedule
Following a feeding schedule will help you get started with this. You should take your new puppy out after every meal, and also a few more times each day. If possible, try to make these extra potty trips at the same time each day.
Having a schedule helps you remember to take him out during the day. And this routine gives your new puppy a sense of security. Without a schedule, puppies tend to become anxious. Anxiety will cause digestive problems in your puppy, and that will make house training harder on both of you.
Tip #3: Pick a "Potty" Command To Use - Then Use It Every Time He Goes Potty
Pick a command word that you are comfortable using -- no matter where you are or who you're with. Here are a few common commands: "potty" "go potty" "go peepee" and "tinkle."
Now that you've chosen a command, you should use it every time you want your dog to go potty. When he's learning the command, you should use it only when you are standing where you want him to go potty. Once your puppy is trained, you can open the door, say "go potty" or whatever command you use, and he'll run right over to his spot and go potty - all on his own.
Tip #4: When Your Dog Has An Accident, Don't Scold Or Yell At Him
Almost every puppy has an accident while house training - some more than others. When this happens, always remain calm. Don't scold him - and whatever you do, never rub his nose in it. This is not just outdated advice it's also completely ineffective.
Making your dog feel that going potty is bad isn't going to help. Your dog can't help himself - when he's got to go, he's got to go! What you need to teach him instead, is that good things happen when he goes potty in the right place, which leads us to the next tip
Tip #5: Always Praise and Reward Your Puppy When He's Successful
Just as you would reward your puppy for sitting when you say "sit" - you should always reward him when he goes potty outside in the right place.
It's a good habit to combine sincere praise with some kind of reward. Rewards can be showing him love and affection, giving him a tasty treat, or spending a few minutes playing with him. Whatever you choose, it's vital that your puppy is rewarded immediately so he remembers that going potty means getting a reward.
Begin the verbal praise while he's actually going potty. If you're using dog treats, be sure to keep them handy - in your pocket or purse. For play, you can simply toss a ball if you are in the back yard - or bounce a tennis ball and let him catch it if you're on a walk.
The most important thing is that he gets his reward immediately. By giving him praise and a reward, your puppy will soon connect going potty for you with good things.
Tip #6: Use Crate Training To Reduce Accidents
Crate training is a topic all on it's own, but here is why you'd be smart to consider it when house breaking your puppy
Crate training lets you put your puppy in his crate when you aren't able to watch him. Since dogs don't like to soil their "dens" your puppy will naturally wait until you let him out to go potty.
There are two important things to remember: First, never leave him in his crate for too long. Second, always take him out to go potty as soon as you let him out of his crate. Most of the time, your puppy will already have to go potty. With your help, he'll be going go potty exactly where you want him to go!
Your new puppy is going to love you unconditionally. In return, you should do your best to train him properly so he's always a joy to be around. Potty training a puppy is a very important step in raising a dog that's happy, healthy, and easy to love.
Don't despair. I've got six tips that you can use to make the house training process a lot easier on you and your new puppy.
Tip #1: Have a Consistent Feeding Schedule
Free feeding as become popular among dog owners. This is where the dog food is left out so your dog can eat whenever he wants to. This might be fine for older, housebroken dogs, but when you are house training a new dog it's best to feed him at the same times each day.
Most dogs need to go potty after eating. By having a set schedule, you can control when your dog eats and know when he will need to go potty. You'll have fewer accidents if you follow this important tip.
Tip #2: Help Your Puppy Succeed By Following A Potty Schedule
Following a feeding schedule will help you get started with this. You should take your new puppy out after every meal, and also a few more times each day. If possible, try to make these extra potty trips at the same time each day.
Having a schedule helps you remember to take him out during the day. And this routine gives your new puppy a sense of security. Without a schedule, puppies tend to become anxious. Anxiety will cause digestive problems in your puppy, and that will make house training harder on both of you.
Tip #3: Pick a "Potty" Command To Use - Then Use It Every Time He Goes Potty
Pick a command word that you are comfortable using -- no matter where you are or who you're with. Here are a few common commands: "potty" "go potty" "go peepee" and "tinkle."
Now that you've chosen a command, you should use it every time you want your dog to go potty. When he's learning the command, you should use it only when you are standing where you want him to go potty. Once your puppy is trained, you can open the door, say "go potty" or whatever command you use, and he'll run right over to his spot and go potty - all on his own.
Tip #4: When Your Dog Has An Accident, Don't Scold Or Yell At Him
Almost every puppy has an accident while house training - some more than others. When this happens, always remain calm. Don't scold him - and whatever you do, never rub his nose in it. This is not just outdated advice it's also completely ineffective.
Making your dog feel that going potty is bad isn't going to help. Your dog can't help himself - when he's got to go, he's got to go! What you need to teach him instead, is that good things happen when he goes potty in the right place, which leads us to the next tip
Tip #5: Always Praise and Reward Your Puppy When He's Successful
Just as you would reward your puppy for sitting when you say "sit" - you should always reward him when he goes potty outside in the right place.
It's a good habit to combine sincere praise with some kind of reward. Rewards can be showing him love and affection, giving him a tasty treat, or spending a few minutes playing with him. Whatever you choose, it's vital that your puppy is rewarded immediately so he remembers that going potty means getting a reward.
Begin the verbal praise while he's actually going potty. If you're using dog treats, be sure to keep them handy - in your pocket or purse. For play, you can simply toss a ball if you are in the back yard - or bounce a tennis ball and let him catch it if you're on a walk.
The most important thing is that he gets his reward immediately. By giving him praise and a reward, your puppy will soon connect going potty for you with good things.
Tip #6: Use Crate Training To Reduce Accidents
Crate training is a topic all on it's own, but here is why you'd be smart to consider it when house breaking your puppy
Crate training lets you put your puppy in his crate when you aren't able to watch him. Since dogs don't like to soil their "dens" your puppy will naturally wait until you let him out to go potty.
There are two important things to remember: First, never leave him in his crate for too long. Second, always take him out to go potty as soon as you let him out of his crate. Most of the time, your puppy will already have to go potty. With your help, he'll be going go potty exactly where you want him to go!
Your new puppy is going to love you unconditionally. In return, you should do your best to train him properly so he's always a joy to be around. Potty training a puppy is a very important step in raising a dog that's happy, healthy, and easy to love.
About the Author:
For more tips on house training a puppy, crate training a puppy, and so much more, visit www.TheSmartDogOwner.com This comprehensive, easy-to-follow training program shows you just how easy it is to raise a dog that's happy, healthy, and a joy to be around!
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