The Best Way to Potty Train a Puppy
The very first task, for the health and safety of your family, the puppy and your home will be to potty train your puppy.
If you have not invested in a crate, or carrier, then now is the time to consider doing so.
If not, then find a safe, quiet area where the puppy can be confined for short periods and at night, If it is simply a confined area, it is helpful to feed him in this area as well.
Puppies will instinctively search out a place to eliminate that is away from where they eat and sleep.
Until he is potty trained a puppy must never be allowed to roam free around the house without supervision.
Even large breed puppies are small, and they can make messes in places that you may not find for months (the ones that leave you wondering where the smell is coming from).
The best way to potty train a puppy is to minimize accidents.
Watch or confine the puppy at all times, be in a position to stop accidents before they happen.
You should never under any circumstances correct your puppy for a mistake unless you catch him "in the act" anything else is confusing, to him and cruel (and please forget rubbing his nose in it that does not help, he just feels as if he is being attacked with no idea why).
When you can't directly watch him, confine him to his area.
Each time your puppy has an accident in the house it will make the job of potty training him that much more difficult.
Clean any accidents well.
You don't want the smell to entice him back to that spot.
If you do catch him in the act, a firm "NO" to get his attention, pick him up and take him to the spot you have chosen for him.
Most people choose a spot outside, but apartment dwellers and those in areas with a cold or rainy climate may choose to use an indoor potty patch, or even disposable pads.
Make a potty training schedule; dogs learn routines quickly, even as puppies.
A potty training schedule includes the most likely times, first thing in the morning, after each meal, and before bed at night.
Whether he is confined or free, (and being watched) the puppy needs to be taken to his potty area every three hours.
If he eliminates, heap him with praise and petting, let him or her know that he/she is a good dog.
Praise and maybe a treat or tidbit goes much further than punishment.
When you are watching him, be alert for signs that he is looking for a place to go, sniffing and so forth.
You have to do intensive supervision at first, but the rewards are well worth it.
If you have not invested in a crate, or carrier, then now is the time to consider doing so.
If not, then find a safe, quiet area where the puppy can be confined for short periods and at night, If it is simply a confined area, it is helpful to feed him in this area as well.
Puppies will instinctively search out a place to eliminate that is away from where they eat and sleep.
Until he is potty trained a puppy must never be allowed to roam free around the house without supervision.
Even large breed puppies are small, and they can make messes in places that you may not find for months (the ones that leave you wondering where the smell is coming from).
The best way to potty train a puppy is to minimize accidents.
Watch or confine the puppy at all times, be in a position to stop accidents before they happen.
You should never under any circumstances correct your puppy for a mistake unless you catch him "in the act" anything else is confusing, to him and cruel (and please forget rubbing his nose in it that does not help, he just feels as if he is being attacked with no idea why).
When you can't directly watch him, confine him to his area.
Each time your puppy has an accident in the house it will make the job of potty training him that much more difficult.
Clean any accidents well.
You don't want the smell to entice him back to that spot.
If you do catch him in the act, a firm "NO" to get his attention, pick him up and take him to the spot you have chosen for him.
Most people choose a spot outside, but apartment dwellers and those in areas with a cold or rainy climate may choose to use an indoor potty patch, or even disposable pads.
Make a potty training schedule; dogs learn routines quickly, even as puppies.
A potty training schedule includes the most likely times, first thing in the morning, after each meal, and before bed at night.
Whether he is confined or free, (and being watched) the puppy needs to be taken to his potty area every three hours.
If he eliminates, heap him with praise and petting, let him or her know that he/she is a good dog.
Praise and maybe a treat or tidbit goes much further than punishment.
When you are watching him, be alert for signs that he is looking for a place to go, sniffing and so forth.
You have to do intensive supervision at first, but the rewards are well worth it.
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