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House Training Tips for Your Puppy
Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting and joyful experience. However, training them to use the bathroom outdoors can be a daunting task for many new pet owners. House training your puppy takes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. With these tips and tricks, you’ll have your furry friend on their way to becoming a well-mannered housemate in no time.
Establish a Routine
Creating a set routine not only benefits your puppy but also makes it easier for you to anticipate their needs. For younger puppies, take them outside every hour or two as they have smaller bladders and will need more frequent potty breaks. As they get older, you can gradually extend the time between potty breaks.
Tip: Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after naps, playtime, meals/drinks, before bedtime so that they understand when it’s time to go potty.
Praise and Reward
Puppies respond well to positive reinforcement. When they successfully do their business outdoors, be sure to praise them with words like ‘good boy/girl’ or give them treats as rewards.
Note: Punishing or scolding your pup for accidents indoors will only confuse or scare them; stick with positive reinforcement instead.
Crate Training
A crate can act as an excellent tool during the house-training process. Dogs typically don’t like toileting where they sleep; therefore if used correctly, the crate can aid in teaching bladder control by limiting where they are allowed to go potty indoors.
Tips:
- The crate should be large enough for comfortable sleeping but small enough to discourage toileting.
- Never use the crate for punishment or extended periods; it should be a safe and secure place for your puppy.
- Gradually increase the time your puppy spends in the crate, starting with short intervals and then building up to longer durations as they become more comfortable.
Clean Up Accidents Thoroughly
Inevitably, accidents will happen during the house training process. It’s essential to thoroughly clean up any messes using a pet-specific cleaner. Dogs have an acute sense of smell, and if any traces of urine or poop are left behind, they may continue to go potty in that spot.
Tips:
- Blot up as much of the accident as possible with paper towels before cleaning.
- Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners; they may make your pup think it’s okay to pee there again since urine has an ammonia-like scent.
Be Patient and Consistent
Housetraining can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months; every dog learns at their own pace. Be patient with your furry friend and keep consistent with your routine and praise/rewards. Eventually, it will click for them, and they’ll understand where they need to go potty without any accidents indoors!
If you follow these tips consistently, you will have a well-behaved and housetrained puppy in no time! Remember to stay calm and positive throughout the process; soon enough, all those potty breaks will become second nature for your pup! Happy training!
