A few tips to help toilet train a puppy
Unfortunately unlike children we can’t put nappies on our puppies so need to put certain measures in place to ensure as smooth a transition as possible to a fully house trained dog.
1. Puppies have 5 key times they need to toilet:
a) First thing in the morning
b) After any daytime naps
c) After boisterous play sessions
d) After food
e) Before going to bed at night
2. I would highly recommend a dog crate for your puppy…it not only gives you a bit of peace when the puppy is sleeping both during the day and at night but it helps greatly with toilet training. Dogs are basically clean animals and do not like to mess their sleeping area so using the crate encourages the puppy to hold onto its toilet until let outside.
3. The crate should only be big enough for the puppy to stretch out and turn round When you take your puppy outside as it toilets repeatedly say a word like ‘pee pee’ or ‘quick quick’. This will get the puppy to associate the sound with toileting.
4. NEVER correct your puppy for toileting in the house. Be patient some pups can take a bit longer than others.
5. When they are very young i.e. under 14 weeks, it is good to give a bit of praise when they toilet outside. A simple good boy/girl is enough. Try not to get them over excited.
6. Contrary to some advice on the Internet I would not suggest giving a food treat when they toilet outside Dogs learn through repetition and association and I know of many cases when the puppy simply comes into the house, looks at the owner and toilets. He/she has associated toileting with food and not with doing it outside!
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