Puppy Potty Training: A Simple, Effective Method
It's hard to think of anything more exciting than getting a new puppy. Still, even in the face of all that excitement, you've probably got questions about how to care for her. One of the most important questions is, "How do I potty train my new puppy?"
Start of by realizing that there are many similarities between potty training a puppy and potty training a toddler. Teaching them can be hard work. And you can, in both cases, expect to find some messes. But your properly potty trained puppy will bring you much happiness. It's absolutely worth the effort.
Although potty training your puppy requires effort, the actual methods are pretty straight-forward and easily accomplished. Dog trainers and owners in the know use some proven "secrets" to ensure that they get the behaviors they want as swiftly and efficiently as possible.
- To start, you'll need a crate or kennel. Natural instincts will prevent your puppy from eliminating wastes where her bed is.
- Don't put anything -- towels, paper, etc. -- into the bottom of the crate.
- When you are away from home, you should keep your puppy in the crate for her own protection.
- You can expect your puppy to go potty within about half an hour of eating. As you observe your puppy over the course of weeks, you'll become very familiar with her bathroom schedule.
- Sometimes -- particularly if you're spending time in the same room as your puppy -- you'll observe her preparing to go to the bathroom. When this happens, take her outside right away. As swiftly as possible, you want the puppy to associate grass with going to the bathroom.
- If your puppy makes a mess, don't hit her or spank her. She isn't yet doing anything bad -- she just doesn't know what constitutes "good" behavior.
- You really don't want to be training your puppy to go potty on puppy pads or newspapers within your home -- you want to be training him that grass is the appropriate venue for bathroom breaks.
- This process could take as long as four to six months. Sometimes, with a smart puppy and a loving, attentive owner, the times will be reduced. In either event, you'll get the results you want and those results will be worth the effort.
Potty training your puppy can be somewhat stressful. Remind yourself -- assuming it's true -- that you love your puppy very much and that your training efforts now will lead to an enjoyable relationship with your dog for many years to come.
