How To House Train Your Puppy
How To House Train Your Puppy - The Right Way…
A puppy can bring excitement to any household, but it will quickly become apparent that learning how to house train your puppy isn't just a good idea – it's essential. You'll find lots of articles dealing with this topic all over the web, but here is a proven method you can start using now.
Now, let's quickly look at this from your puppy's point of view; if they want to go, they'll go. There is no right or wrong place for them. As owners, it is our job to effectively communicate with our puppy, and reinforce where it is acceptable from them to relieve themselves, and where it isn't.
Every dog is different and there is bound to be the odd slip up from time to time, so it is important to be patient and realistic. Develop a proper food and water schedule. Feed them at the same time every day (but not before bed time), and take away their water before you go to bed. Developing a routine this way will help ensure that what goes in on schedule, comes out on schedule.
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Start by choosing an area outside where you believe it's acceptable for your dog to relieve themselves. At this time, your puppy shouldn't have free run of the house, and should be confined to one area. Every hour or so, take your puppy to the designated toilet area. Now, walk back and forth or around in circles.
At this time, you'll want to say and repeat a cue word that you want to attach to the act of your dog relieving itself. This could be something simple like "hurry up" or something similar. Once you've chosen your cue word or phrase, you need to stick with it! By doing this, you're building up the association between the act and your cue in your puppy's mind.
If it is time for your dog to relieve itself, continue repeating your cue until he/she finishes their business. Once they've finished, praise them and perhaps give them a small treat. Make it very clear you're happy with them. If they don't eliminate their waste, take them back inside and try again in 20 minutes or so.
After a successful toilet trip, let your puppy play for a few minutes under supervision inside the house before taking it back to its confined area of crate. Repeat this every 60 minutes or so. Overnight, set your alarm to go off once or twice during the night and go through the method above. Consistent reinforcement will help form good habits and before long there won't be anymore mess.
