Most new dog owners don’t look forward to the task of house training a puppy. It can be pretty confusing when you hear different advice from almost everyone you talk to.
Don’t despair. I’ve got six tips that you can use to make the house training process a lot easier on you and your new puppy.
Tip #1: Have a Consistent Feeding Schedule
Some dog owners like the idea of free feeding their dogs. This means they leave a bowl of food out all day, letting their dog eat whenever he’s hungry. While free feeding is convenient for you as a dog owner, it can create a problem when you’re housebreaking a new dog. It’s much easier to potty train a dog if you follow a schedule and feed him at the same time each day.
Here’s why Dogs are like people. They usually have to go potty after they finish eating. Using a set feeding schedule lets you control when your dog eats – and when he’ll need to go outside to go potty. You’ll be able to take him outside right after eating – and your puppy will have a lot fewer mistakes.
Tip #2: Follow A Consistent Potty Schedule
Although you’ll be taking your puppy outside right after eating, you will also need to take him outside as often as possible during the day. If your schedule means you can only take him out 3 or 4 times a day, be sure you do it at the same times each day.
By following a potty break schedule, you’ll remember to get your new puppy outside during the day. Puppies thrive on schedules because they give them a real sense of security. When they don’t know what to expect from day to day, puppies become anxious. This anxiety can easily lead to digestive problems – and that makes the whole house training process much harder.
Tip #3: Choose A “Potty Time” Command
Pick a command word that you are comfortable using — no matter where you are or who you’re with. Here are a few common commands: “potty” “go potty” “go peepee” and “tinkle.”
Once you decide on a command to use, you should say it every time you want your puppy to go potty. At first, don’t ever say it until you are in the exact spot you want him to go. As he gets older, you’ll be able to open the door and say “go potty” – or whatever command you are using- and he’ll run over to the right place and go potty all by himself.
Tip #4: Don’t Scold Your Puppy If He Has An Accident
You have to be realistic. Every new puppy will have accidents – some more than others. When it happens, it’s important to remain calm. You shouldn’t yell at him and under no circumstance should you rub his nose in it. This is an “old-school” technique that we now know does NOT work. It just confuses your puppy.
The truth is, making him feel bad about his mistake isn’t going to make training faster or easier. Your dog can’t help himself. If he’s had an accident, it’s probably because you didn’t stick to a schedule or weren’t paying attention to him. The best way to achieve success is to teach him that when he goes potty in the right place, good things happen. That brings us to Tip #5
Tip #5: Always Praise and Reward Your Puppy When He’s Successful
It’s just as important to reward your puppy when he goes potty correctly as it is when he does a “sit” any other command.
It’s a good habit to combine sincere praise with some kind of reward. Rewards can be showing him love and affection, giving him a tasty treat, or spending a few minutes playing with him. Whatever you choose, it’s vital that your puppy is rewarded immediately so he remembers that going potty means getting a reward.
Begin the verbal praise while he’s actually going potty. If you’re using dog treats, be sure to keep them handy – in your pocket or purse. For play, you can simply toss a ball if you are in the back yard – or bounce a tennis ball and let him catch it if you’re on a walk.
Just remember, you must reward your puppy immediately. Getting praise and a treat will make your puppy happy. He’ll quickly connect going potty on command with happiness and joy.
Tip #6: Crate Training Your Puppy Means Less Accidents
Crate training is a topic all on it’s own, but here is why you’d be smart to consider it when house breaking your puppy
First of all, crate training lets you put your dog in his crate or kennel whenever you can’t watch him yourself. Second, dogs are den animals and it’s against their nature to soil their dens. This means your puppy will naturally wait to go potty after he’s been let out of his crate.
There are two important things to remember: First, never leave him in his crate for too long. Second, always take him out to go potty as soon as you let him out of his crate. Most of the time, your puppy will already have to go potty. With your help, he’ll be going go potty exactly where you want him to go!
Your new puppy is going to love you unconditionally. In return, you should do your best to train him properly so he’s always a joy to be around. Potty training a puppy is a very important step in raising a dog that’s happy, healthy, and easy to love.