One of the first questions new dog owners ask Pet Store owners is "How do you potty train the puppy?" A valid question if you ask me as pet hygiene is as important as your own hygiene. A dirty and smelly house can become a haven for bacteria which can potentially threaten the health of your dog and family.
It is easier to train a puppy the ropes of potty training compared to adult dogs. Puppies are still malleable and they don't have a routine yet so it is easier to establish one so that it can be ingrained in the puppy's habits. Puppies like to do 4 basic things: eat, sleep, play and poop.
The first thing to remember is timing. When puppies eat, they will want to poop after 15-20 minutes. What goes IN has to come OUT so the crucial part is waiting for them to pass the food out. So establish a routine. After your pup has eaten, wait for around 15 minutes and take him outside or to his papered room and wait for him to do his stuff. You can do this after he has breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can also reinforce this before he goes to bed or after he wakes up. Stay outside after he has pooped or after a long time and nothing has happened. When he does deliver, praise him enthusiastically or reward him with a pet behind the ears. Remember to be enthusiastic so that he will remember that pooping in the designated area is a good thing.
Another potty training tip to consider is to only feed your puppy if you are available to take him outside. In areas where seasons change or it becomes too hot, going outside may not be an option right away. It is understandable that you would not want to dehydrate or starve your pet so use common sense whenever you consider feeding your dog. This way, fewer accidents will happen and your dog will get the point sooner.
When accidents do happen or when your dog urinates or poops in areas not designated as his bathroom then clean up the mess immediately. Do this chore quietly and in a no nonsense manner. Do not reprimand your puppy as he will not understand this. Your silence however should be enough for him to understand that it was not a good thing he did.
Some dog owners use phrases such as "do your business" or "get to it" to encourage their pups to get along. Some find this very effective so during the first few times your dog goes tell him to "do your business" or other similar phrase. Later on, the dog will understand what you want. Of puppies do not defecate or urinate on command but they will know what you mean and it encourages them.
Puppy potty training is slow but rewarding. Dogs can be very affectionate pets and are always a joy to play with. They are good company and good protectors too. Having them potty trained is just a start to some of the things they need to learn.
