Bringing a young pup into your house is a joyful moment. However, like a baby, a puppy doesn’t instinctively know where to do his or her business. Patience, consistency, and the right training strategies are necessary for potty training your puppy. In this article, we will cover how to potty train your puppy using various techniques, including the innovative and increasingly popular method of using a dog litter box.
Step 1: Understand Your Puppy’s Schedule
Puppies have small bladders and high metabolisms, which means they need to go quite frequently. It is important to note that puppies usually need to relieve themselves after they wake up, eat, or engage in vigorous play. Keeping track of these times can help predict when your puppy might need to go.
Step 2: Establish a Routine
Dogs are creatures of habit and feel more secure when they have a daily routine. Feeding your puppy at the same times each day will make it more likely that they’ll relieve themselves at consistent times. Make these times part of their training routine.
Step 3: Choose a Potty Spot
Before you start training, choose where you want your pup to relieve themselves outside. It could be a certain spot in the yard or a particular patch of grass during walks. Keep this location consistent, this will help your pup affiliate the area with pottying.
Step 4: Use a Cue Word or Phrase
When your pup is relieving themselves, softly say a cue word or phrase like “go potty” or “do your business”. Over time, your puppy will start to associate that word or phrase with the action of relieving themselves.
Step 5: Introduce the Dog Litter Box
Not all potty training has to be done outdoors. Using a dog litter box indoors can be very beneficial, especially if you live in a high-rise building or deal with frequent inclement weather. Choose a litter box that is the right size for your pup and place it in an easy-to-reach location. Start by guiding your puppy to the box immediately after they wake up or eat, clearly indicating that this is where they should go.
Step 6: Reward Success
If your puppy successfully goes in the right spot, enthusiastically praise them and offer a small treat. This will reinforce their good behavior and make them more likely to repeat it.
Step 7: Manage Accidents
Remember, your puppy is small and learning, so accidents are part of the process. If you see your puppy in the act, interrupt them with a swift command and then quickly take them to their potty spot or dog litter box. Never punish your pup for accidents – this can create fear and anxiety, which may extend the training period.
Conclusion
Potty training a puppy requires consistency, patience, and compassion. Once trained correctly, your puppy will understand where it’s acceptable to relieve themselves – no matter if it’s outside or in their dog litter box. The process may seem extensive and sometimes frustrating, but the end result of a well-trained pup is well worth the efforts!