One of the biggest challenges for dog owners is potty training their new puppy. Below are five easy tips to make your puppy potty training efforts a success.
Have realistic expectations
When beginning the undertaking of potty training your puppy, have realistic expectations for both the dog's age and size. Between 8 and 12 weeks is a good age to begin potty training your puppy; however, most dogs will not have full bladder control until around 5 months of age. Also, keep in mind that smaller dogs will have smaller bladders. They cannot be expected to hold their elimination as long as an older dog would.
Be Consistent
Effective dog training is really about the pet owner's consistency. This also holds true when potty training a puppy. If your efforts in potty training to stick, make sure that you set up a consistent schedule to take your dog to his potty area. Take him out right when he gets up, 15 to 30 minutes after he eats, and before he goes to bed for the night.
Watch for Cues
Your puppy will very likely give you cues that he needs to go outside. He may scratch at the door or walk back and forth from you to the door. Every dog's cue is different. One option to make it easier for you to pick up on his signal is to train him to ring a bell that is hung on or by the exit door.
Crate Dog When Unattended
Crate training can also be utilized when potty training your puppy. Puppies will not eliminate where they sleep. The more successes your dog has the faster he will become consistent in his housebreaking. If you are with your dog you can catch the cues that he needs to go outside. Obviously, you cannot be with your dog every single moment. For those times, put your dog in his crate.
Praise for Performance
Be sure to reward your dog for each success. Have a treat in hand when taking your dog outside. As soon as he eliminates, praise and treat him. Many dog experts recommend taking the dog outside on a leash and only release him when his is finished with his potty break. Once he learns that a treat and play time comes after potty time, he will be more motivated to finish his business quickly.
With consistency and patience, every puppy can be trained not to have an accident in the house. There will be an investment in time during the potty training process; however, it is one that will be well worth the effort.
