Puppy Training Potty Tips
The first rule of training a new puppy is repetition and consistency.
Taking your new puppy to a specific spot in the back yard, repetitively, will
train your new puppy to go exactly where you want the puppy to eliminate. Always take him out the same door and go directly to that same spot. Know that a small puppy has a smaller bladder, meaning that it will fill much sooner than a larger breed as a puppy. At first, you will need to be available to take the pup out every 2-3 hours. Don’t wait until he piddles on the floor, and don’t punish or yell at
the puppy if he has an accident as we here at The Perfect Puppy use the method of positive reinforcement. Simply pick him up and take him to the designated potty spot, then reward him with praise and reward.
How to Help a New Puppy Sleep
Getting your new puppy to sleep at night can be challenging. Your
puppy is away from his mother and littermates for the first time, and he needs
to get used to his new surroundings. One way to make your puppy comfortable
is to give him a secure space of his own. Many people find that a dog crate
works best for this purpose. You may want to wrap a hot water bottle in soft
blankets and place it in the crate to mimic his mother's warmth. When he
cries, you may have to reassure him the first few times. Eventually, he’ll
settle down, and you will both be able to sleep again.
Preparing your Puppy's new Home
Preparing your home for a puppy is important, not only for your pet's
safety but also to protect your home. First, you should have a set plan for
where in the house the puppy is and isn't allowed to be, such as in the
bedrooms or on the furniture. Provide plenty of strong chew toys for the
puppy, as well as newspapers or store-bought urine pads. If you have other
pets, make sure you know how to introduce them to the new addition safely.
Many pet stores offer the necessary supplies, as well as obedience training
classes for new puppies.
Feeding your New Puppy
In order to know how to feed a new puppy, you should ask a breeder or
your veterinarian what kind of food is best for the puppy's breed. Different
breeds have different nutritional requirements, although at a glance these
differences are subtle and usually depend on the size of the breed. The most
important thing to remember when feeding a puppy is that puppies are still
growing. They should be fed three meals a day at regular intervals and have
access to plenty of fresh water. Refer to the dog food packaging for serving
sizes. Once a puppy is about six months old, reduce the feedings to twice a
day.
Congratulations, you’re getting a new dog! Your first job as a new pet parent is to prep your home and your family for the furry bundle of joy who’s about to come barreling into your life. After all, you do want to get this relationship off on the right paw! Here are 9 tips to help you prepare.
1. Stock Up On SuppliesYour new pal won’t need much—the Burberry overcoat and crystal tiara are optional—but essentials include food and water bowls, safe chew toys, grooming tools, a collar and leash, an identification tag and a crate with bedding (towels will do if you don’t want to spend money on a fancy crate pad). When it comes to food, try to buy the same brand he’s already eating. If you want to change foods, make the switch gradually, mixing old food with new, over a period of a few weeks.
2. Divvy Up ResponsibilitiesTo avoid conflict when Princess has to go out at 7:00 A.M., powwow with members of your household about who is going to be responsible for what. Who will walk the dog at various times of times of day? Who will feed the dog? Who will take the dog to the vet? And if it’s you who winds up walking her in the middle of a rainy night, slap on a smile and remember—pet parenting is a privilege, not a chore!
3. Establish House RulesBefore poochie comes home, decide things such as: Is she allowed on the furniture? Will we ever give her “people” food? What behaviors are encouraged, and which are forbidden? Consistency is the key to training dogs, so make sure everyone will stick to enforcing the new system.
4. Be Consistent in TrainingDogs can get confused when one human says “down” and another says “off” when, for example, they jump on visitors. Then there’s “down” versus “lie down,” and “paw” versus “shake”—surely you see how this is perplexing to another species! Do Fido a favor and be consistent with the terms you plan to associate with various commands. Better yet, write out a vocabulary list of the words that everyone will use!
5. Dog-proof Your Pup’s EnvironmentTuck electrical cords out of the way, install safety latches in lower kitchen cabinets, etc. Make sure items that are dangerous to ingest—like children’s toys and chemicals—are off floor level. Some people find it helps to get down on the floor for a dog’s-eye view of every room to see what might tempt a curious canine.
6. Learn Some Handy Housetraining TipsIf your new pooch is not yet housetrained, determine where his indoor “potty spot” will be. Figure out your plan to housetrain him, and coordinate with the entire household.
7. Consider a CrateCrates often give dogs a sense of security by offering them a place that is all their own. Providing your new pooch with her own safe and secure spot will help her adjust more quickly.
8. Make a Vet AppointmentIf you don’t already have one, find a good veterinarian—and bring your new canine to a caring veterinarian for a wellness exam within one week after adoption. Make this first appointment even before you bring home your new pup.
9. Combat Sibling RivalryThis one’s for folks who already have a dog in the home. Before you introduce the new hound into the pack, pick up anything your resident dog might guard, such as food bowls, bones, toys and beds. Even if your dog has never exhibited possessive tendencies, it is best to exercise caution. This may be an intense experience for your resident canine, so do be patient with her.
You may not realize it, but you’ve been training your puppy from the first minute you got her! For instance, each time you say her name and she moves from where she is to where you are, she is learning the command “Come.“ You just have to add the word “Come” routinely so she makes the association.
Here are nine great tips to help you successfully teach your puppy the basics:
Simply set aside about 10 to 20 minutes daily to work with your puppy.
1. Have one person in the family conduct the training. Even if everyone in the family is using the same verbal commands, their timing will be slightly different, which could confuse the dog. It should be someone who is patient. Have other family members work with the dog later, after her learning is well under way. Just be sure everyone in the family is using the same commands. If the puppy seems confused or backslides when more than one person works with her, return to having only one family member conduct the training.
2. Use positive reinforcement. Reward the dog as she learns, and never punish the dog or become unpleasant when she doesn’t catch on right away. If the dog associates obedience with something pleasant, she is more likely to obey. If she associates obedience with scolding, she won’t learn as well. Training is not the time to issue the word “No.” “No” should be used only to correct inappropriate behavior. A puppy that doesn’t catch on right away to training is not misbehaving. She just hasn’t yet learned what you want her to do. Use treats to encourage your puppy. Don’t use them every single time, however; otherwise you’ll find yourself with a dog that only obeys when you have a treat in hand!
3. Teach one command at a time. Move on to an additional command only after the dog has caught on well to the first.
4.Keep your voice cheerful. Some dogs respond best to a very playful, coaxing voice, whereas others respond better to a slightly stern–but still pleasant–voice. Again, experiment to see which tone of voice gets you the best response.
5. Keep your sense of humor. Puppies are distracted easily and can try your patience. Focus on your puppy’s accomplishments, no matter how small they are, and enjoy your time with her. She won’t be a puppy for long, after all.
6. Train in various places. All the commands can be practiced in the house, in the yard, or with the dog on leash at a neighborhood park. If you vary the places you train your dog, more likely she’ll learn to obey wherever you are. Training her in different places will also help socialize your puppy.
7. Train your puppy as you play. For instance, if you are playing fetch with a ball, ask your puppy to “Sit” before throwing the ball. Say “Come” as she returns with the ball. This reinforces your formal sessions, and since playtime is fun, it will help the dog learn to associate obedience with something pleasant.
8. Integrate training into daily life. As soon as your dog learns a command, begin using it routinely, not just during training sessions, and continue to reward the dog appropriately. Say “Heel” as you go from the kitchen to the living room, for example, and reward her when she obeys. Integrating commands into daily life as soon as possible will help ensure that your dog learns to listen in all types of situations, not just during your training sessions.
9. Do not expect a dog of any age to obey every command every single time. Dogs are living creatures, not robots. They have good days and not-so-good days, just as people do. Sometimes they concentrate better than others. This is why keeping your dog on a leash anytime she is not in a fenced-in yard or in the house is imperative. Most dogs can, however, learn to obey commands most of the time if you are persistent with training.
Adapted from The Puppy Owner’s Manual, by Diana Delmar (Storey Books, 2001)
For more training tips visit: Puppies for Sale Long Island
Introduce your Puppy To The World - Slowly. The owner needs to expose a new puppy to as many sounds, sights, smells, people, animals and locations as possible, beginning as soon as the puppy arrives in his new home. This includes taking the dog to the vet, to the pet store, to the school yard (when children are playing), in the car, in an elevator, on a busy street, outside when the garbage truck and buses go by, near bicycles and skateboards, and around people of all ages, sex and ethnic backgrounds. The more new and positive things a puppy sees and experiences in these critical weeks, the better.
Make sure that each of the following events is pleasant and non-threatening. If your puppy's first experience with something is painful and frightening, you will be defeating your purpose. In fact, you will be creating a phobia that may often last a lifetime. It's better to go too slow and assure your puppy is not frightened or injured than to rush and force your pup to meet new things and people too soon.
Puppy Training Potty Tips
The first rule of potty training a new puppy is repetition. Taking your new puppy to a specific spot in the back yard, over and over, will cement the toileting location in his mind. Always take him out the same door. Know that a small puppy has a smaller bladder, that fills faster, than a larger dog. So, at first you will need to be available to take him out every hour. Don’t wait until he piddles on the floor. And, don’t punish or yell at the puppy if he has an accident. Simply pick him up and take him to the designated potty spot. Then, reward him with happy words when he succeeds. For more information, contact a professional puppy sales company.
How to Help a New Puppy Sleep
Getting your new puppy to sleep at night can be challenging. Your puppy is away from his mother and littermates for the first time, and he needs to get used to his new surroundings. One way to make your puppy comfortable is to give him a secure space of his own. Many people find that a dog crate works best for this purpose. You may want to wrap a hot water bottle in soft blankets and place it in the crate to mimic his mother's warmth. When he cries, you may have to reassure him the first few times. Eventually, he’ll settle down, and you will both be able to sleep again.
Preparing your Puppy's new Home
Preparing your home for a puppy is important, not only for your pet's safety but also to protect your home. First, you should have a set plan for where in the house the puppy is and isn't allowed to be, such as in the bedrooms or on the furniture. Provide plenty of strong chew toys for the puppy, as well as newspapers or store-bought urine pads. If you have other pets, make sure you know how to introduce them to the new addition safely. Many pet stores offer the necessary supplies, as well as obedience training classes for new puppies.
Feeding your New Puppy
In order to know how to feed a new puppy, you should ask a breeder or your veterinarian what kind of food is best for the puppy's breed. Different breeds have different nutritional requirements, although at a glance these differences are subtle and usually depend on the size of the breed. The most important thing to remember when feeding a puppy is that puppies are still growing. They should be fed three meals a day at regular intervals and have access to plenty of fresh water. Refer to the dog food packaging for serving sizes. Once a puppy is about six months old, reduce the feedings to twice a day.
Puppy House Training - Step by Step Process
This method is for when you are at home with your puppy, follow it as closely as you possibly can.
Equipment you'll need:
I prefer to use a good quality crate. Ensure that it is comfortable, safe and the right dimensions for your puppy. You can read a detailed crate training article I wrote here - puppy crate training -or- You can also set up a small pen area with a comfortable dog bed, fresh water and a couple of chew toys (like a food stuffed kong toy). Do not put a doggy toilet in this pen area.
- Choose the spot outside where you would like your puppy to go to the toilet (eliminate).
- Keep your puppy in his/her crate, pen area or even tethered to a chair where you are working. Your puppy cannot have free run of the house at this early stage, he must be confined. Every 60 minutes take your puppy straight to the designated toilet area outside. Carry your puppy or walk out on leash.
- When you reach the toilet area walk back and forth or circle around and around. At the same time say and repeat a cue word you would like to attach to the act of your dog eliminating. I use "hurry up" but just pick out a cue word or short phrase and stick with it. In your dogs mind you are building an association between the cue "hurry up!" and him emptying out. This is the first obedience training command you will teach your young pup.
- If your pup does eliminate continue to repeat your cue word and the instant your dog finishes doing his business enthusiastically praise and reward him with a small tasty treat. Make it clear that you are very happy with him and that he is the best little puppy on the block! If after 3-4 minutes of circling around your puppy shows no signs of needing to eliminate take him back inside (put in crate or pen) and try again in about twenty minutes.
- Immediately after a successful toilet trip outside you can allow your puppy some free play time (under supervision) in the house. Just spend some time enjoying the company of your puppy, then place him back in his crate or pen area.
- Continue with this 60 minute puppy house training schedule, you'll be rewarded for sticking to it. Remember that you are trying to prevent any mistakes and at the same time establish good habits in your little puppy.
- "What about overnight?" I hear you ask. Yes well, firstly do not feed your puppy close to bedtime and take away his water before you go to bed (don't forget to put it back first thing in the morning). You'll need to set your alarm clock to go off once and possibly twice throughout the night. This is an important step, just take your puppy out to the toilet area as usual and then hop back into bed. When your puppy is young it is physically impossible for him to hold on all night, but before long you will both be sleeping peacefully right through the night.
In addition to your 60 minute schedule it is important to take your puppy outside after each meal time (most puppies go to the potty within 15 minutes of eating). That's the puppy house training process, follow it consistently and I'm sure you'll experience pleasing results. When you are not home you will need to set up an area with comfortable bedding, water, toys and a toilet. Place the indoor doggy toilet at the opposite side to the bedding in your puppy's living area. When you arrive home remove the toilet area inside and follow the potty training method detailed above. Teaching Your Puppy To "ask" To Go Outside. If you aren't able to install a doggy door it is handy if you teach your dog the right way to let you know he wants to go outside. Do this by hanging a Poochie-Bell on a piece of string attached to the door handle (at the level of your puppy's nose).
- Follow the puppy house training schedule as detailed above but now add the following: Each time you get to the door to go outside give the bell a bit of a shake and say "go potty". Do this every time you take your puppy outside to the toilet for a week or two.
- After a week or so when you arrive at the door say "go potty" but don't touch the bell. You want your puppy to give it a nudge, if he does, give lots of enthusiastic praise and quickly open the door. If your puppy doesn't nudge the bell after standing at the door for 10 seconds, shake the bell yourself while saying "go potty".
- Keep trying this procedure every time you go outside until your dog "gets it". With most dogs it doesn't take long at all.
- Eventually your dog will make his way to the door and tap the bell every time he needs to go outside to the toilet.
Puppy Training Basic Points:
- Owning a puppy is a big commitment for all family members, especially in the first few days and weeks.
- Puppy potty training is not a race, the key is to prevent mistakes and establish good habits early - dogs are creatures of habit.
- From your dogs point of view there is no right or wrong place to go to the toilet, they feel like going and just do it. It is our job to clearly communicate and reinforce where it is acceptable to eliminate and also where it is not acceptable.
- Opening your back door every couple of hours to let your puppy out will not house train your puppy.
- A puppy's natural instinct is to keep their bedding/sleeping area clean - the potty training method outlined below utilizes this knowledge to our advantage.
- No matter how attentive and diligent you are in the house training process there is bound to be the odd slip up. Don't worry about it just ensure that you clean mistakes up thoroughly, including the use of an odor neutralizer to take away any lingering smell.
- My puppy house training strategy involves close supervision and confinement to start with but only so we can allow our puppies greater freedom and much sooner.
- Understand your puppy's capabilities and be realistic, keep in mind you are dealing with a very young animal. Young puppies can only hold on for so long before they need to go, they don't have much control early on. As a general rule a puppy can hold on an hour for every month of his/her age, plus another hour. This means that a 2 month old puppy can be expected to hold on for three hours and at 3 months old this same pup could be expected to hold on for four hours at a time.
- Develop a food and water schedule. Each day feed at the same time (never close to bed time) and take away your dogs water bowl before you go to bed (don't forget to put it back first thing in the morning!). You'll develop a routine this way and "what goes in on schedule comes out on schedule", if you know what I mean...
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