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| Puppies
learn new skills at different rates. It will take time for your
puppy to develop a firm understanding of where it's acceptable
to potty and where it is not. It will take time for your pup to
consistently understand that all of the house is the den, an area
not to be soiled. Puppies need to relieve themselves frequently,
sometimes as often as once an hour. There will be many accidents,
especially at first. Never lose your temper at the puppy, and always
use simple, consistent one- or two-word commands. If you do not,
your pup could become frightened and confused about what you expect. |
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Puppy
Potty Training First Steps?
The first step in puppy potty training requires that you learn the clues
that indicate your puppy needs to potty. These clues are: restlessness,
sniffing the floor, or returning to a previously soiled spot. Your pup
will need to potty about 5-20 minutes after eating, sleeping or playing.
When you take your puppy outside to potty, to to the same spot each time
and don't play. You want your puppy to focus on one thing only during
puppy potty training -- going in the right area. As soon as your puppy
potties, praise enthusiastically. Give your puppy a small food treat
to reinforce the positive behavior. While your puppy is going potty,
praise very softly so you don't interrupt the behavior. Be enthusiastic
after your puppy is done.
While
you're puppy potty training, you must keep the puppy close
to you always so that the puppy does not have the opportunity
to fail. This means starting the puppy out in a small area
of the house and following the puppy nonstop. Alternatively,
attach one end of a leash to the puppy and the other end to
you, so that the puppy is no farther away from you than the
end of the leash.
When
you are not able to watch the puppy, put the puppy into a kennel.
Or, if you have a fenced yard and the weather is good, you
can put the puppy outside. However putting the puppy outside
when you aren't watching means you lose the opportunity to
reward. The kennel is a preferable training tool. A young pup
7-9 weeks old should be in a kennel for no more than two hours
at a time. A puppy cannot control itself for longer than that.
We've
done some research on kennels. There are many great one's available.
However, you might want to look at one of the multi-size, sturdy
folding crates. One great feature is that they can be folded
to about four inches wide. They are also light weight but durable.
The corners are slightly rounded which helps prevent leakage.
A small one might work nicely for your pup.
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Accidents
During Puppy Potty Training
If you catch your puppy in the act of going potty in the house, you can
do one of two things. The most common advice was to correct with a firm
no and immediately take the puppy to the proper toilet area. This may
not effectively discourage the puppy from going indoors. What often happens
instead is that puppies learn to make sure you aren't watching when they
go indoors, so they go behind the couch, in a closet, etc.
Newer
understanding of dog behavior says that instead of punishing
on the spot, you do everything you can to prevent indoor accidents.
If they happen, ignore them. You don't want to give the dog
any attention for this mistake. Simply put the puppy in its
kennel, or outside, when she's finished, say nothing and clean
up the mess thoroughly using an enzymatic cleaner. Then redouble
your efforts to get the puppy out before there is an accident.
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Rubbing
Nose?
Don't ever hit a puppy for accidents. You'll frighten or confuse the puppy
if you do so. Never punish a puppy after the fact. Remember, a puppy thinks
it is being punished for whatever it is doing at the time of your correction.
The same thinking applies to rubbing a puppy's nose in his or her mistakes
-- don't do it. The pup is not capable of making the reasoning leap that
this is an area previously soiled, and that's why you are punishing. Dogs
are oriented to the present.
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What
Happens During Training When Your Puppy Does Not Potty?
If you take your puppy outside and nothing happens, return the puppy
to the kennel for 5-15 minutes. Then take the puppy outside again for
a few minutes. Repeat this cycle until the puppy goes. As soon as that
happens, the puppy can stay outside the kennel. This kind of routine
helps the puppy focus on going when you want the puppy to go.
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The
Leash, Outside and Puppy Potty Training
As your puppy starts to get the routine, beging training to also go potty
while on the leash, in areas other than your yard, and on varied surfaces.
When you travel, your puppy will have the confidence and experience to
go wherever you need the puppy to go. You and your dog will make lots of
mistakes during this time. Your puppy will do fine as long as you strive
to be as consistent as possible. Your
occasional training errors and frustrations will not permanently scar your
dog. Dogs are quite resiliant. And so are you! |
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