Potty Training Your Puppy

Helpful Tips:

First you will need to keep your pet in either one small room or
in a dog crate. I prefer a dog crate because this becomes their
den or bed. The size of crate does matter, dogs do not usually
urinate or defecate in their own beds, too much space and she will
go potty in one area and sleep in another. Leaving your puppy in her
crate too long can teach them to potty in their beds. This is very
hard to break, and can cause many problems.  Being consistent to
go potty outside is the key.

The next steps take patience, determination, and endurance
on your part. Start by putting your pet on a leash and taking
her out every two hours. She will need to go out during the night
so make sure you stay strictly business at nighttime, unless
you want to have playtime in the middle of the night, every
night.

By the time she is four months old she should be able to
hold herself through the night. Choose a place near the house
where you would like her to go. Take her there, on the leash, let
her sniff around about five minutes or so. Use simple words to encourage
her to go. Use the same word or phrase every time. If she gets
distracted, and puppies are easily distracted, a gentle tug on
the leash and repeating the word or phase you have chosen to use
to mean peeing or pooping should do the trick. Otherwise just
stand there and wait. If she doesn’t go don’t worry, just go back
inside and try again in 15 or 20 minute intervals till she does.
When she does go, praise her with words during the act, give her
attention or a treat after. Don’t just send her outside by herself. You
must be there in person to praise during and immediately after
the act.

You will have to do this every two hours and within twenty to
thirty minutes of eating or drinking. Time this to know exactly
when it is right for your pet. Get your puppy on a regular schedule
of breakfast and dinner at the same time every day. Puppies will
also need to go every time there is a change in activity, like
from sleeping to playing or chewing or eating. Get to know your
puppy’s signals, walking in circles, lowering her head,
sniffing around for a place to go or suddenly stopping whatever she
is doing. Anticipate her need.

There are specific times, like first thing in the morning that
you know she will need to go. These times will be the easiest to
catch and reinforce good behavior.

Always reward good behavior. Avoid reinforcing bad behavior,
don’t rub her nose in it or holler and scream. The worst
punishment to your sweet little pet is to ignore her.
Do this and it should help in training your little pup.

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