If you have ever brought a new puppy home from the shelter or a breeder, you realize how essential it is to get that tiny ball of fur toilet trained as quickly as possible. But potty training a puppy generally takes patience, consistency and – of course, time. The great news is that the more time you are willing to commit to the process at the beginning, the less time your pup may take to learn his lessons well. Remember, before you bring your pup home, prepare well for the process, and you and your pup will be on the road to a long, happy relationship.
The Advantages of Crate Training
Many puppy owners have become quite partial to crate training as a means of potty training a puppy, and with good reason. A crate can perform a multitude of functions with your pup. First, it will offer a secure place for your pet to rest and sleep. Second, restricting your pup to his crate when you are gone ensures that your home will still be in one piece upon your return. Finally, using a crate for toilet training your puppy will teach your dog to hold his urge to eliminate until he is in the proper location to do so. Most dogs will not eliminate in their crate because they know not to go to the toilet in the same space that they sleep in.
Before placing your pup in his crate for any length of time, always make sure that he has time outside to potty. When you let your pet out of his crate, you should always take him outdoors straight away. A crate can be a valuable training tool when you are away from home, or if you are involved in an activity for any length of time that will prevent you from watching your dog sufficiently.
Don’t forget that puppies should not be left in a crate all day, although they can sleep in one throughout the night. If you work all day, try to return home for lunch to give your pet a break, or have a neighbor or friend come by your home to do so.
Paper Training
Paper training does not mean using a rolled newspaper to swat your pet when he potties in the home. That is without doubt the most ineffective means of toilet training a puppy that there is. Paper training actually refers to indoor puppy potty training, where you teach your pup to go to the toilet on papers or training pads that you lay down on the floor for him. This type of potty training for puppies is generally best done when you can confine the pup to a single room in the home, like the utility room. Whenever you see your pet start to nose around the floor as if he is looking for a spot, take your pup to the paper potty. When he gets this process down, move the papers closer to the door. Eventually your pup will learn to go to the door when he needs to go to the bathroom.
Potty training a puppy may be challenging, but it is far from impossible. With a bit of consistency and patience, your puppy potty training will succeed much more quickly than you might think.
Posted under dog training
This post was written by admin on December 17, 2008
