Potty Training for Dogs
Basic Potty Training for Dogs
House training a dog can be almost as stressful as potty training a toddler. It can actually be even more stressful, there is no reasoning with a dog. If you want to train your puppy, there are a few things that you can do to make it seem a bit less stressful. The first thing you have to do is go out and buy some small little reward treats at your local pet store. You will need these for positive reinforcement.
Establish Routines
Just like a child falls into a routine with daily activities, so does a dog. The first thing you are going to have to do is to establish a routine during the day. A puppy can usually hold its bladder one hour for every month it is old. So, if your puppy is five months old than you cannot expect him or her to hold his bladder for more than five hours.
Take Frequent Potty Breaks
You are going to have to take your puppy outside frequently to go to the bathroom. They are going to have to get used to going to the bathroom outside. The more you are outside the more they will get used to going to the bathroom outside of your home. You may want to keep this in mind when you are deciding the best time to get a new puppy. Someone is going to need to be around during the training phase.
Pick a Special Spot
It will be helpful to you and to your neighbors if you pick a special potty spot outside. Try to pick one place to take your dogs to the bathroom rather than always going for long walks. You should also try to use words such as “potty” or “bathroom” when you go out so they can associate the words with the action. You can play with them outside or go for longer walks when they have already gone to the bathroom.
Try Rewards for Doing the Right Thing
Make sure you reward your puppy when they do a good job. Keep some small treats in your pocket and when they go to the bathroom outside, reward them. Positive reinforcement is the best way to go. It is important to remember that your puppy is probably going to make some mistakes as it learns. Coming to terms with this from the beginning is a good idea. You should also remember that screaming at a puppy who has had an accident while you were away is not effective. Their minds are just not wired to associate what they did hours ago to your outrage as you stand in front of them. Try to catch them when they do the RIGHT thing and then give them praise. Just like a person, they’ll respond a lot better.
Category: dog training, Puppy Help