How to potty train your puppy at home is probably one of a dog owner's top asked questions. One needs patience, a calm mind, and an understanding heart. Little puppers like to take everything in a playful way, so teaching them can be a lot simpler at times. So, let's try to find the best way to potty train a puppy at home.
Imagine coming home after a day over at a relative’s home, a smile still plastered on your face as you get to finally come home to your beloved pet. You unlock the door, already hearing your dog howl in excitement inside. You step inside and as you lovingly gaze at your old buddy, they soil themselves in excitement on your new, fluffy carpet.
Of course, you can't be mad at them. They are just so happy to see you! However, you don't want to keep getting new carpets either… so here is a simple potty training method to avoid incidents like that.
We love dogs in all shapes and sizes; round and fluffy, huge and loving, young and old…. You get the idea. How to potty train yours, especially your beloved puppy can be simple if we follow some basic steps.
Most of the time your puppy is just super excited to see you. Seeing you is all their favourite holidays combined. You need to be patient and keep a calm mind throughout the situation. C'mon we've got this.
1. Separation anxiety is a quite common cause nowadays. Due to our too busy lifestyles, our furry friends often feel left alone too long. Especially for our little puppies, our long hours may feel like millenniums to them.
2. Marking their territory, if you only have one dog (your puppy) they will most likely try to mark their territory. If you have an older dog this may sometimes lead to a bit of a shuffle, so make sure to keep control over the things.
In this case, simply be the mediator between them and make sure not to prefer one over the other.
3. Changes in their daily routine, if your dog goes for a walk every day at 2 pm and by 3 pm you haven't walked them yet, this may cause little elimination accidents.
4. Change in living situation, renovating our homes and bringing in new foreign smelling furniture or even removing an old couch they may have been attached to. moving in with you is also a completely new sensation for them, so please be patient and keep an open mind.
5. Their bladder is tiny. Puppies and small dogs, in general, have a higher metabolism and thus need to eliminate more frequently.
Here are some methods on how to potty train your dog:
1. Set up a routine, for potty training your dog it is necessary to learn when your dog needs to eliminate. Stick to the routine which will make it easier for both of you.
2. Interrupt accidents. If you see them beginning to relieve themselves simply clap your hands, and say “no” in a firm yet calm voice.
3. Do NOT punish them. When telling them off you should not scare them. Your dog does not know that what they did was wrong.
Also, do NOT force them to stay outdoors as punishment, or lock them in a crate. This will most likely only confuse them and they will now continue urinating inside your home, only without you seeing them.
4. Clean up any indoor accidents quickly. Since dog urine often has a strong sense of ammonia to it, leaving it for longer periods of time will encourage your dog to urinate there again.
The best way to get rid of the smell would be to use white vinegar.
5. Choose a private potty area where your senior dog will feel comfortable and confident enough to do their business. You should consistently go to one or more designated areas throughout your training.
It is one of the key elements in our how to potty train your dog process.
6. Keep your dog on a leash, mostly for you to get to the potty area efficiently but also for you to keep an eye on them.
This lets you know if and when they used the bathroom.
7. Decide on a code sound or command. Every time you go outside, use a certain word to make your dog understand that you'll be going to their potty training location.
Simple words like “Go” or “Pee” are probably the best choices.
8. Reward positive behaviour, whenever your dog uses the potty zone correctly you should give them a little treat. Those shouldn't be bigger than your little fingernail, yet it is the action itself that counts. Also, make sure that potty time is relaxing for them.
Please don't yank their leash or interrupt them while they are relieving themselves.
This method should only be used if you have no other options or fall under one of the following categories:
A little word of advice: choose a place that is calm and that your dog can easily access without you being around after a while. Otherwise, the purpose of puppy training pads is decreased quite a bit.
If your dog had an accident. Just take them quickly to their pad. No yelling or using abusive and mean words or any other type of punishment.
For the coming few days, choose a room where you can lay out several pads at first. Set up water and toys next to them.
By using a plan, you can take your puppy after play and food times to the pads. Please also keep in mind that your dog does need to see the outside world regularly. If you can't go yourself, ask a neighbour or friend or relative to take them on walks.
Dogs are amazing and loyal creatures, and if you have found the dog that you want to grow old with I can only be happy for you. I hope this has provided you with the best way to potty train your puppy. If you would like to know more about puppy training pads, you can read this article. If I have missed anything I am happy to hear more opinions in the comments. Read you next time!