|
How do I house train my new puppy?
Housetraining a puppy is easiest started while the puppy is still young, preferrably by their 8th week.
There are specific times when your puppy WILL absolutely need to go potty. The times you can COUNT on include:
- Approximately 10 minutes after eating, they will have to urinate.
- Approximately 30-45 minutes after of eating, they will probably have a bowel movement.
- Approximately 5-10 minutes after drinking water, they will have to urinate.
- During play sessions (with you, another dog, or by themselves), puppies will have to urinate approximately every 10 min. Watch the clock, because this will happen. As the puppy matures, this time frame increases accordingly. During play, the dogs are just like children, they forget...until too late. They play hard, and suddenly, they will stop, take 2 steps and squat!!!!
- Immediately upon 'waking' (night sleep or day nap), they will have to go urinate. They may not be able to make it to the door and you may need to carry them.
What can be done?
Aside from “Dog Telepathy” there are 2 ways in which your new puppy can learn to alert you when the urge of Mother Nature arises. Effectively, they must be taught to ask someone to open the door for them.
Each and every time you pass through the door to the potty spot (preferably the same door each time) either solicit a bark or have them ring a bell. I recommend the bells that many people hang on their doors as a gently chime that someone is entering or departing.
To solicit a bark, you will soon learn that there are certain activities which cause your puppy to bark a few times, such as a bit of play fighting at the door. However, be cognizant of the fact that this may also cause them to become distracted and forget what they were concentrating on, such as bladder control.
My preferred technique is to have the puppy ring a bell each and every time they pass through the door. This activity must be adhered to almost ritualistically. Prior to departing through the door, pick up the puppy’s paw and bat the bell once. He will catch on within a week to 10 days on average.
Now for the tricky part!
READ THIS PART CAREFULLY!!
If, after the alert bark or bell ring, the puppy successfully evacuates outdoors at the designated spot, then you should immediately reward the deed with a food reward, right then and there. Further, allow a short walk and play time of approximately 5 – 10 minutes.
If they DO NOT evacuate after asking to go outside, then take them straight back indoors. If not, you are creating a situation where through the magic of operant conditioning, you have become a door monitor to serve at the whim of your puppy.
Good Luck! And as always, should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1.877.780.PETS or via eMail.
|
