Tuesday, July 7, 2009

So You'll Never Have To Scoop Up Another Poop Again - Puppy Potty Training Tips For You

By Geraldine Dimarco

Puppies are on people's favorite things list, as well they should be. After the initial excitement of the newcomer gradually mellows, it's time to take on the not as adorable but very essential task of puppy potty training.

Potty training is the beginning of an awesome adventure you can have with your new dog (that's how I convince myself). Sure it can be a little unappealing at times but it's a chore much needed for the rest of his life. Here are several puppy training tips to get you started on the right track.

Recognize your puppy's limitations. They will not be able to control their bodily functions quite as well yet so do not serve them their meals right before their sleeping time. In the beginning, you will have to wake up in the night to bring your puppy out to relieve himself. You'll be a little cranky and impatient but do not rush the dog if he's not yet ready. At this point, it is important to instill in him good habits that he will carry his whole life.

Have a schedule for their meal times daily and do not vary from it as much as possible. His body needs to be accustomed to a certain pattern of eating and eliminating. Take him outdoors to discharge early in the morning and late at night. After meals, bring him to his designated potty place to do his business. Keep repeating a phrase the puppy will associate with toilet activities like 'go potty' until he does.

Right after successfully eliminating, lavish the little pup with praises. Make sure he knows how well he did in going to the toilet on that spot. Reward them with a little treat and a few minutes of play before going back to his pen. Repeat process after an hour in case the puppy decides it wants to go at it a second time. At this point, setting good habits is the most important aspect of puppy potty training.

After setting a pattern of toilet practices he is learning to follow, you can now teach him how to ask to go outside. No, not audibly with words but with a bell. Tie a rope by the door with a bell dangling at the end of it. Give the bell a light push and say 'go potty' loudly for the puppy to hear on your way out for your special walks. After two weeks of doing this consistently, say 'go potty' by the door but don't do anything. If all goes well the dog will nudge the bell himself and when he does, be sure to praise him well. If he doesn't understand fully yet, gently guide him to move the bell and say 'go potty'.

Repeat this process every single time the puppy uses his toilet privileges. Your dog will catch on and understand this as his signal to want to go out. Before long, he will know enough to tap the bell or door by himself whenever he needs to unload.

That's it. When done patiently and without fail, these puppy training tips should have gotten the potty training box checked off in your to-do list easily. Now that's that, you're on to the next leg of your puppy adventure!

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