House training is one of the most important parts of getting a well-behaved dog and a trustworthy family member. Potty training issues and other similar issues are the number one reason dogs are turned over to shelters. Proper toilet training can literally save your dog's life.
Potty training a puppy doesn't have to be difficult, but it's important to take the process seriously, plan ahead, and take it slow. Some dogs are easier to train than others, so it's important to work with your dog. Rushing can be counterproductive and force you to start all over again.
When it comes to potty training a new puppy, it's important to know what to expect. Unless the owner is able to supervise the puppy around the clock, it is difficult to complete the potty training process until the dog is at least six months old. It is important to know this in advance in order to be prepared.
Young puppies have bodies that are constantly changing and growing, and puppies under six months old often haven't developed the bowel and bladder control they'll need to be properly housetrained.
When the owner is not at home, the puppy should be confined to a small room and the floor should be completely covered with paper. Of course, it is important to ensure the safety of the puppy in the room, that is, to remove all objects on which he could hurt himself. At first, the puppy will probably relieve itself anywhere in the room. Also, he will probably play with the papers, chew on them, etc.
This is completely normal and should not be cause for punishment or distress. Daily cleaning should just be part of the routine of living with a new puppy. Just clean the soiled papers and file new ones every day.
The time to learn paper
During the period when the puppy is confined to his little den, he begins to get into the habit of defecating on paper. After a while, the puppy will start showing a favorite place to relieve itself. Once this preferred spot has been established, slowly decrease the area covered with paper.
The first papers to be removed should be those furthest from the "toilet". After a while, the owner will only have to ask for a few papers. If the puppy misses these papers, it means that the paper area was reduced too soon and too much.
Once the puppy is reliable and only relieves itself on the papers that have been left behind, the papers can be moved slowly and gradually to a location of your choosing. Papers should only be moved gradually, a few centimeters per day. If the puppy is missing the papers, this again means they were moved too soon and too far. In this case, it will be necessary to go back a few steps and start again.
It is important not to get discouraged. Eventually, the puppy will understand the concept, and you can choose where he will relieve himself and move on to the next step.
Toilet training when the master is at home
Obviously, the more time you spend with your puppy, the faster the potty training will be. The goal is to take the puppy to his toilet area whenever he needs to relieve himself. In most cases, this will be every 45 minutes, right after each play session, after first waking up, or right after eating or drinking. It is important to praise the puppy warmly when he relieves himself in the place provided for this purpose.
As the puppy gets used to using his toilet area and develops better bladder and bowel control, he may begin to spend more and more time outside his den with his owner. in the rest of the house. It is important to start this process by allowing the puppy access to only one room at a time.
It is also important to only leave the puppy in the extra room when it can be supervised. When you need to leave the room, be sure to put the pup back in its den.