Elements to Remember When Potty Training Your Dog

Potty training a new puppy is a task that can be very frustrating. It is however one of those things in life that we have to master if we want the enjoyment that goes along with owning a dog. While there are many people that find it an almost impossible achievement to successfully potty train a dog, it isn’t really that difficult if you follow a few rules.

Things to Keep in Mind While Potty Training Puppies

There are several things you will want to keep in mind as you attempt the process of training a pup, and they are as follows:

Dog crate training – While there are lots of families that choose to use training pads for puppies or newspapers when it’s time to potty train, a crate is much more beneficial. When a dog is trained to use a newspaper or pad, they often become very confused when you change the routine and try to retrain them to go outside. This confusion can be eliminated entirely if their potty training involves a dog crate from the very beginning. A majority of puppies will not do their business in the area they are sleeping in.

Teaching them to sleep in a dog crate throughout the night helps to train them to ‘hold it’ until they are let out for the day. Immediately taking them outside after being let out of the crate helps to reinforce the routine you are trying to teach them. If you plan to leave your pooch in the crate until they are fully trained, you will want to let him out every hour or so to do his business. It’s important to give him praise immediately after he’s done what you’re asking.

Monitor your pet closely – Whenever your pooch is stretching his legs and out of his crate, you’ll want to pay very close attention to his every move. By catching every potential accident and taking your dog outside, it helps to reinforce the potty training routine.

Anticipate the needs of your pet – A good rule to remember is most dogs will usually need to go potty about 15 to 30 minutes following a meal or after they have had some water. Other times that you’ll want to take a trip outside with your pet is when he wakes up, after a fun session of playtime, after each meal, and after he drinks. Knowing each of these times of need can make it much easier to create a workable schedule for you and your dog.

Reward positive behavior – A crucial part of potty training any dog is taking the time to offer rewards for positive behavior. Dogs naturally want to please their owner, and as they realize the treats they get are because of positive actions, they’ll want to continue this type of behavior. There are numerous ways a dog can be rewarded. Just a few examples include petting, dog treats, playtime, a new toy, or simple words of praise.

Addressing accidents – The moment you catch your pooch having an accident, clap your hands loudly or make another type of abrupt noise, and then hurry to take him outside. Spanking or screaming should never be used as a tool of punishment when it comes to potty training a puppy. No benefit is gained by such treatment, and your pet will only end up fearing you.

While keeping each of these tips in mind, the main thing you want to do is be consistent. Consistency is the key to success.