1300 489 873Beginning the process of toilet training as soon as you bring your new puppy home is the best way to set them up for success. It can be tempting to wait until they are a bit older, but puppies learn best when they are between 8 and 16 weeks old. At this age, they are still in the “imprinting” stage, which means that they are quickly forming habits and associations. If you wait too long to start potty training, your puppy may develop bad habits that will be difficult to break.
One of the most important things you can do when toilet training your puppy is to designate a specific area for them to go. This will help them to understand that there is a specific place for them to relieve themselves, and will make it easier for you to clean up after them. You can choose any spot in your yard, just make sure that it is away from any areas where you or your family members spend time. Once you have chosen a spot, take your puppy to it often. With time and patience, you will be able to successfully potty train your puppy.
It is crucial to be consistent with commands and rewards in order to effectively train your dog. All family members should use the same commands when communicating with the dog, such as “go potty” or “outside.” If a dog is consistently rewarded for going potty outside, they will learn that this is the desired behavior. This could include treats, verbal praise, or petting. On the other hand, if a dog has an accident inside, it is important to not punish them. This will only make them afraid of going potty in front of you and make the training process more difficult.
Puppies are like small children in many ways, including their needs for guidance and training when it comes to appropriate bathroom behavior. Just as you would praise a small child for using the toilet properly, you should also take the time to praise your puppy when they relieve themselves in the right spot. This positive reinforcement will help them to understand that this is the desired behavior, and over time they will learn to do it without needing to be prompted. In addition, be sure to provide plenty of opportunities for your puppy to go to the bathroom in the right spot, such as taking them outside frequently and during or after meals.
Remember that puppies have small bladders and can’t hold their urine for very long. That’s why it’s important to take them outside regularly, especially after they’ve eaten or had a nap. At first, you’ll need to take them out every hour or two. Eventually, you’ll be able to extend the intervals between bathroom breaks as they learn to control their bladder. It’s also helpful to establish a regular routine so that your puppy knows when it’s time to go outside. For example, you might take them out first thing in the morning, before and after meals, and before bedtime.
When toilet training your puppy it is important to clean up any messes immediately. If you leave a mess, your puppy will smell it and think that it is okay to go there again. This will only confuse them and make potty training take longer. Always clean up accidents with a cleaner that has enzymes in it. This will break down the urine so your puppy won’t be able to smell it. If you can, put the cleaner on the spot before your puppy has a chance to get to it. That way, they won’t even know there was an accident.
Training a puppy to ‘go’ outside can be a frustrating process, but it is important to remain patient. It may take several weeks or even months for your puppy to learn how to use the toilet properly, but persistence will pay off in the end. The key is to be consistent with your training methods and to reward your puppy for good behaviour. With time and patience, you will eventually be able to teach your puppy to use the toilet like a pro.
