Unfortunately unlike children we can’t put nappies on our puppies so we need to put certain measures in place to ensure as smooth a transition as possible to a fully house trained dog.
- Puppies have 5 Key times they need to toilet
- First thing in the morning
- After any daytime naps
- After boisterous play sessions
- After food
- Before going to bed at night
- 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.
- 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.
- NEVER correct your puppy for toileting in the house Be patient some pups can take a bit longer than others.
- If you want to discourage your pup from toileting outside or inside in certain areas it is a good idea to scatter their food over the area Dogs do not like to eliminate in the same area as they eat.
- If you are having difficulty with the toilet training I would try to feed your dog outside as much as possible (weather permitting). They are more likely to relax where there is food and feel better about using the garden for toileting.
- If you want to encourage you pup to use a certain part of the garden to toilet try lifting his poo and placing it in that area and leading your puppy to that spot repeatedly.
It’s that time of year again when to most of us fireworks represent a celebration.