Once you have a puppy at home, what is the first thing you will teach him?
Yes, the answer is a house training. Surely you want your house to stay in order. That’s why it should be planned as soon as you have your new puppy at home. This training can’t be done in overnight. It takes patience, positive reinforcement, consistency and love. The younger your dog is, the longer the training takes place. Be patient when you are house training a puppy compared to house training an adult dog.
If you have cats as you other pets, consider in reading Tips to make a fearful cat to become more friendly
In average, to fully house train your puppy will need about 4-6 months. But do you believe it that some puppies can take up to a year to be fully trained? You really have to be very patient in handling this puppy. As long as you follow the program with lots of support and love for your puppy, he will learn. And don’t forget to reward him with treats whenever he follows your order. That will speed up the learning process.
We have other useful link that you can click in 7 Ways to Train Your Dog to Pee and Poop On The Right Spot. This will enrich your knowledge in train your puppy.
Through this article I would like to share you some easy tips to house train your puppy.
1. When to start the house training
Some experts recommended that house training can be started when your puppy is between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. At this age he is starting to be able to control his bladder and bowel movement. He is ready to start his house training. When you are ready to house train, set a fixed schedule for your puppy to follow. Get up each morning at the same time, then right away take him outside to pee. Do this every day until he understands the timing. And feeding your puppy at the same time every day and don’t forget to take him to his toilet after eating.
2. Ways to start the house training
First step for you to prepare is creating a limited space for your puppy. It can be in a crate, in a room or even put your puppy on a leash. Once you train your puppy to potty training and it works, then you can give your puppy a bit more of freedom to wander around your house. He can hold it better than before and the chance for your house to be messed is lesser now.
3. Crate or limited space for the house training
To start housetraining for your puppy, it is recommended that you create a crate or a limited space for your puppy to confine him from wander around and make a mess. The purpose to have this method is for you to be able to observe your puppy for any signs when he wants to pee or poop. However, this can’t be used for a long time. It’s just for a short term. Once your puppy shows the signs to relieve, take him out to his toilet.
When you create a crate for your puppy, make sure the crate is spacious enough for him to move freely in it but not big enough for him to use it as his toilet. Keep him no more than 4-6 hours inside or he can relieve himself there. And always keep fresh water in it to make him hydrated always.
4. Set a fixed schedule
When you start the housetraining, it’s necessary to make set a fixed schedule to train your puppy. You should start since he wakes up in the morning until he goes to bed. Take him to toilet first thing early morning after wake up and once every few hours. Also you need to take him out after every meals and after every naps. The last thing to do before bed is you take him to toilet. Always use the same spot for his toilet area and stay with him until he does his business. And always praise him whenever he succeeds in doing so.
5. Time table for scheduled training
Here is an example to make a timetable for your puppy.
5 am : Wake up. Take puppy outside to designated area for toilet
Breakfast : Feed him, let him play with his toy, then let him nap
Late morning : Take him to bathroom area after he wakes up. Do not leave him until he does. Praise when he does so. Then play with him or have a short walk to stimulate his bowels.
Afternoon : After his nap, take him out to potty. Praise for his success. And give him meals and lots of play time.
6 pm : Last meal of the day. Do not give too much water. Take him to potty before his nap. Be there with him. Bring his bedding nearby to wherever you are in the house.
11 pm : Last potty break before bed. If he is still sleeping, wake him up for potty break.
6. Recognize puppy’s body language
During the confinement, take your time in understanding the body language that is shown by your puppy. He has certain body language when he wants to eliminate, like sniffing, circling and pacing. When you see he is doing this thing, immediately take him out to his toilet space.
Here is other link in How To Potty Train Your Dog Easily In A Week which has correlation with what we are discussing in this article
7. What to do when accidents happen
If you are catching him in the middle of relieving in any place, say ‘no’ firmly and immediately take him to the toilet space to let him finish his business. Always praise him after he does. Do not punish him when accident happens. Just ignore it when it happens. Keep the training going on. And clean whatever mess he does to eliminate the odor. Otherwise he will go back to the same place for toilet purpose.
8. Arrangements when you are away
If you are never home with your puppy for more than 2 – 5 hours every day, this housetraining will be difficult for you to carry on. Unless there is someone who can substitute you to train the pup. It’s better to get an older dog as your pet as he can hold longer until you come home.
If you already have a pup, arrange someone to take over the training until you get back home. You can consider another family member, pet sitter, or your neighbor to take them for bathroom breaks.
9. Praise and reward.
Every time your puppy goes in the right place, always give him praises and treats. You may pat him lovingly and say ‘good’. He understands that we are happy with his actions. And he will repeat the actions to get more praise from us.
10. Successful House Training
The key to successful in conducting a house training is consistency and patience. Do not scold or punish your puppy for his mistakes and accidents. That happens because he is still young and are not able yet to control his bladder and bowels. When he is a bit older, he will be able to hold it longer. Take your time in training him. Rushing the training won’t give you more satisfying result anyway. Keep in mind that a puppy usually completely house trained when they reach 6 months old.
Hopefully these 10 tips to house train your puppy will help you in having successful house train.
Consider having hamster as your pet? You are at the right link 10 Basic Tips To Be A Good Hamster Owner.