Patience and repetition is key in your efforts in potty training your puppy. It may take hundreds of times to get it in your puppy’s head that the only place to go is outside.
Positive reinforcement is the way to go in any dog training scenario. The old idea of rubbing your dog’s nose in his mess has gone and passed, as trainers have realized this only confuses the dog and makes things worse.
Dogs live in the moment, and must be caught right in the act of doing something bad, or they won’t know what they are being scolded for.
Many trainers advise against using paper or potty mats to potty train your puppy. Once you train your puppy to use paper, you will have to start all over to get him to go outside.
Follow these steps to potty train your puppy:
1. Most importantly, keep your puppy on a schedule. Feed him at regular times every day, and try to take him outside at regular times throughout the day. Aside from the regular times, also take him out after each meal, after an active play session, and, yes, even in the middle of the night if you hear him stirring around. He’ll begin to pick up on these times as long as you keep them regular.
2. When you do take him outside, keep him on the leash and create an area where he goes every time. He’ll begin to associate this area as the place to go.
3. Crate your puppy when you can’t watch him at all times. Make sure the whole family is on the same page.
4. When you take him out, don’t praise him until he does his business. If he won’t go, take him back inside and crate him. Then take him out again 15 or 20 minutes later. When he does go, praise him like never before and give him a treat. Remember, dogs love heavy praise!
5. If he has an accident inside and you catch him in the act, scold him with a stern “no” and take him outside immediately. If you don’t catch him in the act and find it later, don’t scold him or rub his nose in it. He will not understand what he did wrong– dogs live in the present!
6. If accidents do happen, make sure to clean thoroughly with a special odor-remover you can find at your pet store. Regular soap and water won’t do, since dogs have very keen noses and are likely to “go” in the same spot again.
7. Remember, patience and repetition is the key to potty training your puppy. It can take many, even hundreds of times before he really gets it every time.
8. If your pup continues to have accidents beyond your control, consult your veterinarian.
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