HOUSETRAINING

Housetraining can be easy as long as you follow a few simple rules and know the signs of when the puppy

The first thing to do is choose a spot where you want your puppy to eliminate, and then always take your puppy there. To know when the puppy needs to go potty watch him carefully. A puppy will usually go to a certain area sniffing and turning in circles. When you see this, quickly take him out to the spot you have chosen. Give lots of praise when the puppy uses the area to eliminate. It may take him a few minutes to remember what he was thinking of before you whisked him off to his area. If you in are still using paper in the house for him to eliminate, put the paper in front of he door that you will be using to take him out. He will quickly learn that when he goes to the door, you will know to take him outside to do his business. Be patient, it can take a few months for a puppy to be completely house trained. One thing to remember is that dogs prefer to soil in an area that is absorbent like carpet. Limiting these areas will help with the training.

The second thing is to know the when a puppy will usually have to go potty. He will have to go after a nap, after eating and after a play period. Schedule mealtimes, playtimes and naps and keep to those schedules as much as possible. Feed the last meal around 6:00 pm and remove water at least 2 hours before bedtime. If you have to leave the puppy for any length of time, give him a large confined area to stay in and put paper down at one end. Make sure he has toys and water.

The most important thing is to be consistent. If you can’t supervise the puppy, put him in his crate or confined play area. Give him a treat when you put him in these two areas so he thinks this is a good thing.

If your puppy has an accident in the house, don’t punish the puppy unless you actually catch him in the act. Just clean up the area and remove the scent. If he is consistently soiling in the same area, close off that area. If you do catch the puppy in the act, a mild scolding is all that is necessary, pick up the puppy and take him to the spot you have chosen.

Some puppies will pee when excited or nervous. Don’t scold them when they do this, as it will only make it worse. Usually they will outgrow this stage.

Remember, lots of praise when the puppy has gone where you want him to go, and be consistent.