Puppy Potty Training
Your First Gift to Your Dog

Puppy Potty Training must start immediately when you take your bundle of love home.  Training a puppy begins with Potty Training, but don't expect miracles. The suggestions below do work, as long as you are consitent in the training process.

Puppies won't develop sphincter control until 12 weeks of age, but with the correct behavior and training from you, all small dog breeds can be well on their way to being fully potty trained within a matter of weeks.

Crate confinement is an effective method for training a puppy. This is the easiest and quickest way to potty train a new puppy. The basic principle of crate training is that you are taking advantage of your dog's natural instincts as he will not want to eliminate where he eats and sleeps. Not only is the crate a training tool, it also provides a safe haven for your dog and can become his own favorite sleeping place and den. The crate must not be used as punishment, as your puppy will associate it with something bad and unpleasant.

Should your puppy begin crying or scratching at the crate door, wait until he has stopped before letting him out, or he will get into the habit of complaining and barking to be be released. The crate must only be used for short periods to start, not more than 30 minutes, then gradually increasing by 10 minutes to a maximum of 3 to 4 hours.

Vigilence is key, keeping an eye on your dog's behavior;  scratching, sniffing walking in circles are all signs your dog needs to go to the toilet.  Never shout at your dog, unless you catch him in the act.  Even a minute later is too late to punish him. Your puppy's bladder is tiny and you can expect him to need an opportunity to relieve himself regularly, immediately after every meal, and every hour in between, including at least 4 times during the night, while puppy potty training while he is learning how to control his bladder.   

The Umbilical Cord is another excellent tool for Puppy Potty Training.   This method is ideal for someone who spends a lot of time at home.  Attach a long leash to your puppy's collar and connect it to you.  Wherever you go, your puppy goes.  This method creates a strong bond, and is the perfect way to keep an eye on your puppy's signs that he wishes to relieve himself.  You will soon get used to how often and when he needs to go.  Naturally while potty traing puppy you have to give him a fixed schedule of meal times and play times to get him into a routine.  Regular trips outside, with lots of love and praise when he gets it right.

To assist your puppy to getting into a daily routine, schedule regular potty times, thereby avoiding "accidents".  When you take your dog outside, heaps lots of praise on him when he has relieved himself.  Give him praise and use the same word again and again.  A word like 'toilet" or "go potty" repeatedly when they are eliminating will help them associate the action with the word in no time at all all you would have to do is say the word that you have chosen, and your dog will respond to this every time he is taken outside.

If you are out for several hours during the day, do not put your puppy in the garage or an empty basement as they will be unhappy and lonely. Rather confine them to a part of the house (especially while puppy potty training) where they will still be interacting with the family. Put down newspaper or commercial wee pads in a part of the bathroom or kitchen where it is easier to clean the floor.  Your dog will not want to soil his sleeping area.  Employ the same tactics as for when they are being trained outside, give them lots of praise when your puppy has used the newspaper area. Gradually reduce the amount of floor area covered by newspaper.  Soon they will be confined to just a square of newspaper which will be used for accidents and can be easily cleaned up.

Other Puppy articles:

Puppy Socializing - Debutante Ball

Kittens and Puppies - Eeeny Meeny Min Mo

Training A Puppy - His Life in Your Hands

Return from Puppy Potty Training to New Puppy

Check out our list of small dogs for those that can be trained to use a litter box like a cat. This is particularly useful for those living in an apartment or for the elderly who are unable to take their dog outside every few hours.

Be patient while Puppy Potty Training
You and Your Dog Will Reap the Rewards.

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