Strategies For Puppy Potty Training

By Greg Stannionis

When you embark on puppy potty training your whole life seems to revolve around your dog's need to go to the bathroom. You find that meals are interrupted and you have little time to really kick back and relax. It's temporary and eventually you can see the results of your efforts. Initially, you will have to approach this situation with the utmost in patience and diligence.

Most of us develop a pretty good attitude about puppy potty training in the first week. Over time we can lose out patience and expect more than our puppy can deliver for us. It's not a personal affront when your pup makes an error. We can't expect him to get it perfect right away. He is learning, and your consistency will have a lot to do with how successful he may or may not be at his new task.

It's best if you can keep your dog in the same room with you. If you have areas of your house that are not used frequently it becomes a tempting indoor toilet for your pup. Instead, rigging a puppy gate that keeps him from leaving your line of sight can make a huge difference when it comes to helping him become more successful.

Keeping him in your close proximity is also helpful for you. You don't have to stop what you're doing to find out where he keeps wandering off to. You can do other things while you make sure he is behaving in a way that you find appropriate. This also helps reduce chewing issues. A schedule of trips outside can be very helpful for both of you. Puppies naturally need to go in the middle of or at the end of a play time, after eating, when they first wake, and before you all hit the bed for the night.

Reward him every single time he goes in the right place. Reward works much better than punishment. You should not be striking him or rubbing his nose in his mess. Instead, you should be throwing a party complete with treats every time he gets it right. If you find that he is still going in the house, make sure you nab him up in the middle of doing his business. Carry him directly outside and do not let him back in until he has finished his deal.

The more you stay on top of his movement through the house, time your outings, and reward his good behavior the more you will see improvement. It is important to remember that a few successes in a row doesn't mean he totally has it. Don't let your guard down.

Puppy potty training can be complicated by health factors. It can also become more complex if your dog starts to sexually mature. Often nearing the sexual maturity mark can mean a return of accidents in the house.

Crate training and puppy potty training can often go hand in hand. Don't forget the power of making sure he holds it throughout the day when you're not home. However, if you are going to be gone a long time you will need to make arrangements for him to go out and get a little relief. - 29895

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