I’m frequently quizzed about the most effective way of making a puppy potty training zone. Should it be situated outdoors or indoors? It’s not as silly as it may appear.

I can already hear people exclaiming “Puppy potty training indoors?” Lots of people live in apartments but still need a place for their pups to relieve themselves. If you think about it, practically every cat owner possesses a cat litter tray in their home. Now I know that creating a doggy potty area inside your home is not perfect but some peoples’ situations mean that this is the only method available. It’s obvious that the area should be well ventilated.

A bathroom might be the best solution because it’ll most likely have a hard washable floor too. You can purchase dog litter (similar to the cat stuff but you need more of it!). A few people utilize regular newspaper but there could be an unpleasant side effect here. The most suitable stuff is unprinted newsprint paper which has similar absorbent qualities without the side effects. Why should you not use normal newspaper? Basically, the puppy tends to connect potty time with newspaper (any newspaper) and unfortunately could see every paper as a possible toilet (even though it has just come through the front door). This can be truly embarrassing in someone else’s house.

Just as soon as you get an area sorted out it is easy to start showing your pup the significance of it.

The best way is to get them to link going to that area with going to the toilet. This can be done by taking them to it whenever they show warnings of needing to go. Look for circling or sniffing the ground, abruptly stopping playing and walking away, spinning around in circle with their backs arched and (clear indicator) sniffing the scene of a past accident. You may feel you’ve cleaned it away however the pup will still be able to smell it and will try to go in the same place.

You then carry them up to the doggy loo and allow them do what they do. Afterwards you praise them. Repeat this whenever and they will quickly learn that this is what you desire. They will not query why, they’ll just connect going in the right place with praise (and maybe treats). This needs to be carried out a quiet manner because you do not want to get them too excited. Whenever they get too excited, they will become tense then can’t go. This obviously, defeats the point of the exercise. You must therefore, retain a calm appearance to help your dog relax enough to relieve itself.

How long does puppy potty training take?

The time intervals will vary tremendously depending on the puppy’s age. For example, when they are aged up to say fourteen weeks, you may be looking at perhaps eight to ten breaks per day. This will likely drop down to maybe half of that by the time the puppy is aged about thirty weeks.

When they are young, they are not physically developed enough to hold themselves in for too long. For this reason they should be taken outdoors perhaps every two hours or so. You need to closely observe the period after eating or drinking because they are usually common “toilet times”. Really though, they can only hold themselves for an hour or so for every month of age. Basically they will not really last through the night.

It sounds unusual but many puppy owners keep a written record of when the puppy “goes”. This gives them a greater idea of the dog’s natural bodily rhythms. The main items to note are eating, sleeping and going to the toilet. Pet owners find it easier to see the relationship between the events, which certainly makes sense. It may well in addition, highlight some medical problems when the puppy starts to break with these standard times.

Your next period is when your puppy senses the urge to go and realises if they come to tell you (or perhaps go straight to the potty area) they get praise. Maybe they will bark, maybe they will whine or perhaps scratch at the door. In time they’ll probably head straight for their potty. You’re suddenly making big progress. Keep the praise going, even if there are some accidents.

More Puppy potty training tips

If you happen to shout at or scold the pup they will think that you’re cross about them going to the toilet, instead of going in the wrong place. A simple detail but a world of difference. In closing, there are three stages. One, establish the zone. Two, get the puppy to associate visiting the zone with going to the toilet. Three, get them to associate wanting to go to the toilet with going to the area to carry it out. Well there are some puppy potty training tips for you to think about.

My friend reckons that using puppy potty training pads makes dog toilet training easier. I’m not convinced myself but we’ll see what happens. Either way I think it will be fun and we’ll have some real laughs along the way.

*** Just a quick update (I must learn how to use Twitter!) … Let’s just say this one is going to run and run (if you’ll pardon the expression!

I read a shocking article the other day. Apparently a large proportion of dogs in rehoming centres have been rejected due to poor puppy potty training. Now, I don’t mean rejected by the dog rescue centres. I mean by owners who either did not bother to train them properly or could not train them properly.

There’s not much you can do about the first lot (except shoot them!) but maybe there is hope for the second group if they are taught properly. There are plenty of good books and courses available if the owners are willing to learn and share the responsibility. take a look at the course in the right hand column. Just remember the dog will respond quickly if it is shown what to do (whoops, that did not come out as intended but you get the idea).

I saw this recently. I don’t know who wrote it but it made me think about some poor dogs out there who have been abused but deserve more. We just need to devote more time to their training.

“Sometimes you will meet a dog who has been abused at during their life. These dogs can be difficult to deal with because even the normal things we do can cause them anxiety and fear. You can, in most cases however, teach an abused dog to trust with a few simple changes in approach plus a lot of patience.

Puppy Potty Training – The gentle approach.

When you are near them don’t stand tall. Instead bend down to appear less threatening. When you talk to them, keep your voice low and cheerful. Always remain calm. A loud or frustrated tone will cause anxiety. Don’t go charging in towards them. Remember, they may have been hit or kicked by someone who came at them quickly. If they come to you when called, give them the praise they deserve. You may be able to change some dogs’ attitudes quite quickly.

When you do get to pet this dog, avoid their head. Hold your hand palm up as you approach them and gently rub under his chin or on his chest. Rubbing either spot tends to calm a dog. If they step backward, let them. In time, they will stay longer.

When a dog is nervous or scared, they will often wet the floor involuntarily. If this should happen, it is important not to allow your frustration to show. It is not a deliberate attempt at disobeying and will likely disappear as they gain trust in you.

Keep any sessions short, with just a few minutes of actual touch each time. You can gradually increase the time as his trust grows. Often, just sitting quietly and waiting for him to approach you will make him feel comfortable. If your initial attempts fail, try this.

A once-abused dog can be as trusting and loving as any other. All it takes is patience on the part of those in his life. A crouching position, low voice and appropriate touch will win him over eventually (and speed up the puppy potty training).

House training a puppy (potty training) does not have to be difficult as you can make it an extension of basic training.

To train your puppy in this manner, make toilet training occur on command. Use the same word each time you want your puppy to relieve himself. This will become just another command such as “sit” or “stay” and your dog will respond accordingly. Give praise when your command is obeyed so your puppy knows that is desired behavior. Seriously, puppy potty training will suddenly become easy.

House training a puppy – what about accidents?

If an accident does occur, don’t yell or discipline the dog. A firm but quiet “no” will do the trick. During puppy potty training, you will need to pay attention to your dog’s cues.

When he starts looking around for somewhere to relieve himself, take immediate action. Also, be sure to take him out before playing together or right after a nap as that is commonly when a dog needs to urinate or defecate. If possible, don’t give water before bedtime to avoid nighttime accidents. Just be sure you let your dog out right before bed and immediately in the morning. No dog can go without relief for extended periods of time. By using these simple tips, your puppy will be quickly trained and you can just enjoy spending time together. House training your puppy will really rewarding.

I saw this the other day and it made it all sound so simple.

“Puppy potty training is the essential first step in raising a great dog. Basic house training must occur as soon as your puppy comes home. In order to be successful you must be consistent with your dog. Training a dog is a commitment you must undertake as, once a dog has established bad habits, it can take six weeks or longer, to retrain him properly. Do it right the first time to avoid this. Before bringing your new family member home, have everything ready. This includes a collar and leash as well as an area dedicated to house training.

Puppy potty training – have a workable schedule

A schedule that is easy to maintain is very important in puppy potty training. Your dog will follow your cues. Don’t expect him to know what to do as that is your job at first. Take into consideration your puppy’s schedule as that will affect your schedule also. He will need to be taken out as soon as he wakes up. He will alert you that it is time to relieve himself by looking for a place to do his business. Pay attention and take him out immediately. Reward him for successes with praise and love. If an accident does occur, harsh discipline is not necessary. A firm “no” is all that is needed followed by a trip outside. By following these simple steps, your dog will be quickly trained and the family member you imagined”.

When it comes to puppy potty training, I could not have put it better myself.

 
Here’s some puppy potty training tips. Have you got a puppy that needs potty training? Well I got one and I made a huge mistake straight away. As a result my carpet cleaner (who, luckily is a friend) was been busy

I made the huge assumption that my dog would naturally be potty trained. Looking back, I cannot believe that I expected them to be housetrained. I had this daft idea that he would know he could not pee on the carpet!  It turns out that puppy potty training problems rank right up there in the world of dog training. Anyway, I decided that I desperately needed some puppy potty training tips. That’s when the fun stated. You see there are so many experts out there (who all want to be paid large amounts of money) who all have different “techniques”.

These methods of potty training puppies varied from the brutal “punishment” to the new age mystic zen approach (honestly). If I ever get time I’ll make a list of some of the barmy methods around. Anyway, somewhere in the middle there were more practical approaches.

These include… Start it as early as possible (not 3.00 am. I mean as early in your pups life as possible).

Puppy Potty Training Tips – The Misty Method.

One method suggested was the Misty method of puppy potty training (what on earth is that I here you ask?).The Misty Method is one that begins with the breeder, teaching puppies the difference between an eating area, potty area, and sleeping area. By enforcing this at such an early age, they will always define the three spaces as separate, allowing you, once you pick up your new puppy from the breeder, to show them the three defined spaces in your home.

At about 3 weeks, its time to take the confined space the puppies are living in, and break it down into three areas, eating, sleeping, and potty. By separating, they start to realize their food is always in the eating area, allowing them to eat with out jumping in their poop. Their sleeping area is where you place the cozy towel or blanket they like to snuggle up on. They begin to realize they play and sleep away from the other two areas. The potty area you want to put on the far end away from the sleeping area.

This allows the puppies to realize potty is separate from all other areas of their life. Although the Misty Method is most used by breeders of mastiffs, it can be used by any breeders as the concept works with all puppies. The great part about having a breeder that uses this method of separating their three sections, is the easy transition the new owners have once they bring the puppies home.  The thinking is that if  puppies  are raised in a cage with no separation of areas, they are raised to believe they can go potty anywhere with in their living quarters they want.  This gives the new owner bad habits to break, and a longer puppy potty training cycle. 

Housebreaking a puppy – what time length is involved?

A puppy with proper habits instilled early on can take only 2 weeks to train once being introduced to your home environment where a puppy with bad habits can take up to 6 weeks to break and retrain. With a few simple steps, patience, and plenty of love, you can have your puppy potty training a success in no time.  It makes sense when buying a puppy from a breeder, to ask them how they are raised and which puppy potty training methods, if any they used so you know what to expect when bringing home your new family member. In my case I never gave the toilet training of puppies a thought (hence the frequent carpet cleaning)! I hope these puppy potty training tips have been useful.