Potty training is a skill that takes time to learn and perfect. To make the process less stressful for both you and your puppy, use these expert tips to help get started:
First and foremost, be consistent in your approach. Whether you’re potty training your dog or you have a friend with a pup to train, it’s crucial to set up a schedule and stick to it. This way, you know when your pup needs to go outside for a potty break.
Start by taking your puppy out about every 45 minutes during waking hours. As your dog gets more experienced, the breaks can be longer. Using the one-hour-per-month guide will help you decide when to increase the breaks.
Then, put your puppy back in his crate or a confined area once you return inside the house. Give him another five to ten minutes before bringing him back outside to try again. Repeat the whole process until your dog has successfully gone to his potty spot all the time!
Second, watch your dog carefully and be aware of any signs that he needs to pee or poop. These signals include sniffing, pacing, whining, and turning in circles. Keep an eye on your dog when he’s in the house so that you can catch any accidents immediately.
When your puppy goes to the potty, reward him with praise and a treat or his favorite toy. This will ensure that he associates going to the bathroom outside with good things.
Finally, mark any accidents with a quiet hand clap or the words “oh-oh” so that you can interrupt your dog in the act before it can escape. This will teach them that going to the bathroom in front of you is not a good thing, and they’ll be much more likely to choose to hide and wait until you can interrupt their behavior.
As a final tip, keep your potty pad relatively small so that your puppy doesn’t overdo it when going outside. Some puppies are more able to handle this than others, so it’s important to adjust their potty pads as necessary.
In conclusion, How to Potty Train Puppies can be challenging, but with the right knowledge, patience, and consistency, you can have your pup potty-trained in no time. Start by setting up a regular potty schedule, create distractions to discourage accidents, and reward good behavior. With patience, practice, and consistency, you can successfully potty train your puppy. Don’t forget to stay positive throughout the process and offer plenty of praise when they do something good.