Puppy Toilet Training
It’s exhilarating when there’s a new addition to the family, especially so if it’s a puppy. Along with joy also comes a lot of commitment. It involves a lot of work, time, patience and confidence from your part. Puppy toilet training needs to be done at an early stage, the younger the better! This is an important step of getting your puppy to feel as a part of the family.
Before you initialise the routine of toilet training, make sure you designate a particular potty area. It could be going outside the house or in-house. Once an area is identified, you need to establish a routine, essentially keeping an eye on the puppy at all times. Those who do not have much time, could find it difficult, but a little attention to detail can go a long way. Be sure to correct mistakes made by your puppy. You should be firm, yet gentle while correcting your dog. Don’t forget the thumb rule, recognition and reward!
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In the yard
As the owner of a dog, you need pay attention to signals that your puppy gives. The puppy could yip a lot, or run in circles or even come towards you and run towards the door (provided you’ve show your puppy where the door is). This training method involves taking the puppy out on a leash. You could take your puppy out in the yard to a particular pre designated spot, once there the puppy needs to be encouraged and reminded of what he needs to do. Once done, praise the puppy and if possible reward him/her as well. This is one of the most common ways for puppy toilet training. Make sure that your puppy does not start playing before he completes his/her duties.
Paper method
The paper method for puppy toilet training is an ingenious idea to show your puppy where he/she needs to relieve. You can start by initially placing the paper near the door and in time gradually move it outside. In this method you need to place the paper on the floor in a pre-designated spot. You can also buy these special papers at any pet store; it carries a particular scent that draws the puppy towards it.
Another method with papers is when you see your dog getting into a certain position to relieve himself/herself. In this case you will have to take your dog to an area where you’ve spread some papers. Reduce the area of the papers gradually by taking away the papers which will reduce the size of the spot. You can eventually move the papers towards the door or outside the house.
One common mistake that puppy owners could make is yelling at the puppy if he/she messes up. Your puppy will not know why you’re screaming at him/her, it will only get the puppy confused. If you happen to catch your puppy relieving himself/herself, stay calm, in a firm voice say “No”, take them out or to a pre-designated area and praise them when done. With positive feedback, puppies respond much better and punishing them will only get them confused.
Some common errors while puppy toilet training
- Punishing your puppy for messing up in the wrong areas.
- Using the wrong words when they relieve themselves, instead of the specific words.
- You cannot afford to be lazy if your puppy is giving you the signal.
- Letting the puppy be by himself/herself in the yard, and not being there to praise or reward him.
- Feeding your puppy at the wrong times, or not feeding at the right times