Disclosure: Our recommendations are based on our testing, research and analysis. We may earn a commission on products purchased using links on this page.
Patience and consistency are required when potty training a pup. Here are some tips to help you.
By Guest Blogger, Courtney John
Imagine coming home from your 8-hour job only to find out that your dog had an “incident” in the middle of your house. Your first reaction would be getting irritated because of the additional work when you want nothing more than to pass out in your bed. Sometimes this situation leads to channeling your anger at your dog, which is not fair.
House training is a tedious and time-consuming task. It would be best to have patience and consistency because potty training is not a walk in the park. You should keep in mind that for this type of training to succeed, you have to work on it simultaneously and need to work hard, not only for you but also for your pet.
When is The Best Time to Start?
The experts recommended to start house training your puppy when it’s between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. Within this time, it already has control over its bladder and bowel movement to learn to hold it.
One problem with starting potty training too late is that some common strategies for training them may not be available such as using a crate. Another possibility is that the puppies will start eating their waste.
Factors Affecting Potty Training Duration
Puppies usually take four (4) to six (6) months to be fully trained, but others may take up as long as one (1) year. It is due to different factors, such as:
1. Breed
The smaller the puppy, the harder it is to train. It is not due to their smaller brain size but actually because of their bladder. The smaller the breed of puppies, the smaller bladders and have a higher metabolism. This would mean that they require to have more trips outside compared to a bigger breed of dogs.
2. Consistency
Some puppies are potty geniuses, while others aren’t very gifted in that department. But one thing that doesn’t change is the consistency and commitment in sticking to the schedule. This will help the puppy’s body remember the particular schedule planned and know what to expect.
3. Age
The younger the puppy is, the lesser experience it has about everything and is most likely never trained. As such, teaching younger puppy house training requires more patience and dedication.
Older dogs do not automatically make them easier to train. Some of them are, considering that they previously lived with someone else, but dogs that had been stray for too long could still pose a challenge.
Don’ts
There is numerous internet information, such as methods on house training or petlifeworld.com tips on potty training that pet owners can use as references. But, sometimes, it’s inevitable to forget the unacceptable behaviors during these crucial times.
Here are the following guidelines to help you remember.
Don’t Talk
Talking to your puppy when they are doing their business outside takes away their focus on the task at hand.
Talking and playing with the pups will get them distracted. The less distracted they are, the faster they finish. They need to concentrate on their task at hand so they could be accustomed to the training faster.
Don’t Yell
There are instances when you will catch your pups in the middle of the act. During this, the best thing to do is distract them but don’t yell at them.
Clapping is one of the best methods for getting your puppy’s attention. Clap loudly, then immediately take your pups to their designated spot outside.
Don’t Allow Them to Dump Everywhere
Untrained puppies tend to do their business wherever they are and whenever their urges catch up to them.
Granting them limited access to space in the house allows you to get to them before they can make an accident happen. By doing so, you can immediately take them to their spot outside and reinforce their house training habit.
Don’t Use Paper
Having a fresh patch in your house helps orient the puppies that doing their business is associated with the outside. Upon using a piece of paper defeats this purpose. The main problem with using a paper is that they smell. Even when you throw it away, pups’ enhanced smelling capabilities could tell them where they took a dump last time and would keep peeing in that spot.
Don’t Stop too Early
Potty training does not happen over the night. You need to set up the goal in months. You have to strictly stick to the schedule to instill the habits. You may want to have a cheat day once in a while to relax, but when it comes to ingraining a specific routine to a puppy – consistency is the key.
Don’t Neglect
No puppy in the world had a bladder of steel. As a puppy’s parent, you have to know the signs that indicate that it wants to go outside. This includes barking, circling, sniffing, whining, and scratching at the door. Be observant, and when any of this happens, take your puppy outside right away.
Don’t Punish
Punishment should NEVER be a part of your strategy when house training your puppy. Your rage should not come between you or your puppy when they have an accident. Don’t yell, swat their rears, and never rub their waste on their face because doing this will only make your pet scared, and you could potentially injure it.
There are three (3) reasons why accidents happen: (1) your puppy does not know that it has to go outside to do its business, (2) can’t hold it any longer, and (3) it has underlying medical problems involved. That is why when the training fails, consult a vet to check up on your pets.
Takeaway
House training is not guaranteed to go smoothly. Accidents can happen, but it is your duty as the owner to ensure that these accidents don’t occur again. Overall, this training aims to develop good habits and build a stronger foundation between you and your puppy.
Author’s Bio
Courtney John is a freelance writer for animal and pet care for over a decade now. She is also a volunteer dedicated to animal rescue and welfare, working for different organizations all over town. She lives with her two adopted cats and rescue dog.
Did you enjoy this post? Get more great canine information by signing up for Spike’s Dog Blog by Acme Canine
Down to earth, common sense, proven DOG advice
Welcome to Spike’s Dog Blog by Acme Canine. Throughout the site, you will find a variety of helpful dog training articles, insightful dog behavior tips, and truthful product reviews from nationally-recognized canine trainers and professionals.