Potty Training A Puppy: Essential Dog Tips
If you have ever brought a puppy home from the shelter or a breeder, you know how important it is to get that tiny ball of fur toilet trained as quickly as possible. But potty training a puppy usually requires patience, consistency and – of course, time. The great news is that the more time you are prepared to commit to the process at the start, the less time your puppy may take to learn his lessons well. Keep that in mind before you bring your puppy home, prepare well for the process, and you and your puppy will be on the path to a long, happy life together.
The Advantages of Crate Training
Many pet owners have become quite partial to crate training as a way of housebreaking a puppy, and with good reason. A crate can perform a multitude of functions with your puppy. For starters, it will offer a secure place for your dog to rest and sleep. And, confining your puppy to his crate while you are gone ensures that your home will still be in one piece when your return. Lastly, using a crate for house training your puppy will teach your dog to hold his urge to eliminate until he is in a suitable location to do so. Most dogs will not eliminate in their crate because they know not to go to the toilet in the same space that they sleep in.
Before placing your puppy in his crate for a period of time, always make sure that he has time outside to potty. When you let your puppy out of his crate, you should consistently take him outdoors straight away. A crate can be a valuable training tool when you are away from home, or if you are involved in an activity for a period of time that will prevent you from watching your puppy sufficiently.
Keep in mind that puppies should not be left in a crate all day, although they can sleep in one throughout the night. If you work all day, do your best to come home for lunch to give your pet a break, or have someone else come by your home to do so.
Paper Training
Paper training does not mean using a rolled newspaper to hit your pet when he potties in the house. That is actually the most ineffective means of house training a puppy that there is. Paper training actually refers to indoor puppy potty training, where you teach your dog to go to the toilet on papers or training pads that you put on the floor for him. This method of potty training for puppies is usually best done when you can confine your puppy to a single room in the house, like the utility room. Whenever you see your pet start to nose around the floor like he is looking for a spot, take your pup to the paper potty. When he gets this process down, move the papers closer to the door. With time your pet will learn to go to the door when he needs to go to the bathroom.
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Potty training your puppy may be challenging, but it is far from impossible. With a bit of consistency and patience, your puppy potty training will succeed much sooner than you might think.
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