I know - I know.
The "Big" Lady Breeder you got your puppy from seems to know everything under the sun. She and her entourage from the club know it all. " My puppies are born potty trained" you might hear, and you can stand there and listen to that if you want to, but that's not us.
WWL suggests you look at several qualified resources and also speak to your vet. Unless you follow some fundamental rules, your puppy may still be having accidents in your home well into his 4th month of life.
Regardless of what song the fat ladies are singing.
ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE
Know that not all puppies are going to potty train at the same rate. Smaller breeds have tinier bladders with a higher metabolism and, therefore, will need to eliminate more often.
Some breeds are known for their stubborn streak and can be harder to housetrain. Be sure to research any breed before bringing a dog home.
The puppy’s background story may also determine his willingness to potty train. Other breeders whose pups have been left to their own devices or not been kept in a clean environment may have bad habits that need to be untrained.
Lastly, veterinarians recommend beginning the potty training process when your puppy is between 12 and 16 weeks of age. This is because your pup should have enough control over his bladder and bowels to be able to hold it.
CREATE A SCHEDULE
Getting your puppy on a daily schedule will help him potty train more quickly. This includes feeding him at the same time each day, walking him, and keeping to a regular bedtime.
Part of your schedule should include taking the puppy outside first thing in the morning and then every 30 minutes to an hour afterward. Your puppy will also have to eliminate after he awakens from a nap, after each meal, and playtime.
Take your puppy to the same spot each time he goes outdoors to potty since his scent will prompt him to go.
PRAISE AND REWARD
After your puppy has gone potty in the designated area, be sure to give them lots of praise and a small treat. Remember, canines are generally eager to please, so let them know they have done the right thing every time.
STICK TO A GOOD DIET
WWL Feeds FROMM FOOD so please understand that feeding your puppy a high-quality diet will not only enhance his overall health and well-being, but his stools will become firmer and more regular too.
Poor dog food is often loaded with cheap fillers, such as corn, wheat, and soy. These provide no nutritional value for your growing fur baby. Keep to meat as the number one ingredient, and avoid by-products for a healthy, happy puppy. If you have questions about food quality simply visit dogfoodadvisor.com they have reviews and ingredients lists to help you decide.
CRATE TRAIN
See our previous blog on this subject.
KNOW THE PUPPIES SIGNALS
A puppy will often show signs of having to pee or poop, which include:
Barking
Whining
Sniffing
Circling
Scratching at the door
When you see any of these signs, take your puppy outside right away to prevent an accident from occurring.
PATIENCE PLEASE
Puppies are only babies and are still learning what you want from them regarding potty training.
Always keep this in mind and be patient. Setbacks can be frustrating but be assured they are normal, so keep on training. If your puppy continues to eliminate in your home or his crate, consider consulting with a veterinarian to rule out any medical issues.
NO ANGER PLEASE
Yelling, hitting, or rubbing your dog's nose in his waste will not curb his behavior. It will, however, create fear and mistrust in your fur baby. Positive reinforcement using praise and treats will always win the day.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE PUPPY AT ALL TIMES
New puppies tend to just squat-and-go whenever the urge strikes them, for this reason, do not allow the puppy free range of your home. Catching your puppy before he eliminates and taking him outside to his spot is key to reinforcing the potty training habit.
PAPER TRAIN - NO! I don't care what the big lady said.
Paper training a puppy was for the days of old when we didn't have any other options. The problem with paper training is, for one, it’ stinks. The urine can (and most likely will) soak through to your flooring.
Second, your puppy can become very confused as to where he should go, especially when he’s not at home.
Good luck, any questions you can always call.
Pick a Feather!
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