HOUSE TRAINING
This is usually the first question a new puppy owner has. They often have no idea how to go about this fact of life. Your puppy will most certainly have to go to the bathroom sooner or later.
Planning your method of training is the most important thing you can do. You should spend some time thinking, reading and planning your course of action to accomplish your goal of a house trained puppy.
Before you start we suggest that you identify the place where you want your puppy to visit when the need occurs. This is very important as weather conditions change throughout the year. Rain, snow, ice, hot and cold weather will have an impact on your ability to supervise your puppy and even perhaps alter your willingness to follow through in your supervision of the activity.
Since everyone lives in different types of housing and climates, one answer as to the location is impossible for us to determine. The location you select should be accessible both day and night in all weather conditions and afford security for your puppy's safety as well as for yourself.
Before you get your puppy you will need to have the following:
1. Designated place for your puppy to go.
2. Time out crate
3. Treats
4. Carpet cleaner & Bleach based cleaner
5. Night time crate or designated sleeping area
6. Food and water bowl
7. Keyword command such as "Outside", "Potty Time", "Do your business", etc.
There are basically two types of house training destinations:
1. Potty box similar to a cat little box.
2. Outside locations.
Regardless of the destination, once you establish the location always take him/her to the same location when it is potty time, otherwise he will think it is play time. Make sure there recognizable is a difference.
The rules of nature will help you once you have been successful in having your puppy potty in the desired location. Initially do not clean up the potty leave it in the "Potty Zone" this will insure he will have the scent in the "Potty Zone" the next time he has to go, dogs look for the smell of previous occasions, once they determine that this is "the place", they will use it.
The rules of nature will also work against you if you are not on top of your cleaning duties. Should your puppy relieve himself in your home on the floor or carpet you must us a good cleaning agent to remove the smell, otherwise it will remain and tempt him to go there again in the same place. On floors, where a strong cleaning agent can be used us soap with bleach to kill the scent. On carpet use a good cleaner that says it will remove doggie odors. Clean the area promptly and make sure you do a good job.
Reward or Consequences for good show bad show. We have found the best method to train a puppy to do anything, is through a positive reward system. With house training there needs to be one special treat your puppy absolutely loves, this special treat should only be given when your puppy successfully accomplishes the desired results, and only then "Be Consistent do not waver, although those beautiful pleading puppy eyes tell you they want the special treat, use it only for the desired activity. Be tough of mind, you will be happy you did.
Consequences, for bad behavior is never hitting, or harming your puppy in anyway, after all you are smarter than he and the only reason he has made a boo boo is because, someone has not instilled upon him as to what to do and where to do it.
We suggest a timeout crate for bad behavior, a for instance of when to use the time out crate is when you take him out to perform and he does nothing. Take him back into the house and put in the timeout crate for ten minutes and then take him outside again. Once the puppy has accomplished his mission reward him, do not use the time out crate for general keeping he will soon think he has done something wrong and not understand what you want him to do.
First of all you must understand the digestive tract workings of a puppy, Never before has the saying "What goes in comes out!" been so true. A puppy will need to go potty in about ten to fifteen minutes following eating solid food. Planning of meals is important when you are in the throws of potty training. Scheduled feeding must be appropriate for your puppy based on the breed and his age. Do not restrict his food for fear of your puppy going in sugar shock from being hungry. With very young puppies less than 12 weeks of age, you will need to make sure he has feeding at least three times a day, as he gets older the number of feedings per day can decrease. Once he has been potty trained and has access to go where he is supposed to go, food may be provide in a free feeding environment if you choose. But for now you must have a schedule.
Your Schedule for potty training will look something like this:
1. Each morning when you wake up, you should take your puppy outside, announce to him what you are wanting him to do... Use the Potty Command you have chosen, We use "Outside Outside!" as our favorite, you may have a word or phrase you like better, no matter which command you choose make sure everyone in the family uses the same command when it is outside potty time.
Take your puppy to the designated potty zone and wait for him to complete his job. Once he has, praise him and reward him with treats and petting. For a while do not clean up the yard in the potty zone, that is unless your potty zone is a public green area, always pickup in public areas.
First thing in the morning he may not have to go number 2, he may only have to empty his bladder. The more familiar you become with your puppy you will become aware of his unique digestive cycles.
If your puppy does not do his business, take him back into the house and put him in the timeout crate for about ten minutes and then take him out again. * This failure process must be used each time he does not do as expected. It is the consequences for not taking care of business.
2. Take him back inside and feed him, remember he will have to go again in about ten or fifteen minutes following his meal. "Be ready" In about ten minutes take him out again follow the steps above in #1 until he has accomplished his job as expected.
3. The most difficult aspect of house training is urination control, puppies are quick to go when they simply have to pee. Not much of a warning but they will sniff around looking for a place to go. When potty training you need to have a keen and watchful eye to determine the indicators your puppy has the urge to go. When you notice you puppy looking quickly escort the puppy outside using your Potty command. Normally short potty visits every hour or so will satisfy the puppies needs to go and re-enforce the potty command.
Puppies, sleep a lot and the first thing they will do when they wake from a puppy nap is pee. Be mindful of this and you will soon have your puppy heading for the door to his potty zone as soon as he wakes up. But until the habit has been established when he wakes up you must head him to the potty zone. And remember use the potty command when you do so.
* Side note on the "Potty Command", make it a happy command in your voice, you puppy will respond to a happy sounding command far better than a harsh tone in your voice.
4. Usually with a puppy he will need to be fed at least three times a day. Morning noon and night time before bedtime. As with all feedings you will take him outside following his meal for a walk to the potty zone.
5. Bedtime, We suggest that you use a crate for your puppy to sleep in each night. Make it comfortable and near your own bed so the puppy can see you and will not feel alone. He will sleep much better and so will you if he knows that you are not far away. A puppy can hold his bowel movements for about 8 eight hours if need be, puppies have a hard time with that so if you get up during the night a little walk to the potty zone maybe a good idea. The night time crate for sleeping is to be used until the puppy grows and demonstrates that he can be trusted during the night not to go in the house, many times the pup will become accustomed to sleeping in his condo crate and not want to sleep elsewhere, but all puppies and owners are different...the two of you will just have to come up with the best long term sleeping arrangements that are best suited for both of you.
6. Water. Your puppy will consume lots of water. This is very important failure to provide fresh and ample supplies of water can and will make you puppy sick, even damage his kidneys if he suffers extended periods of no water. In addition his water bowl must be cleaned daily and refreshed with clean water throughout the day. Many digestive tract illnesses are associated with dirty water. Make sure he has good clean water available at all times.
Summary: The key to success is consistency, reward, praise, and be smarter than the puppy.
