It’s good to know that you have adopted a puppy, but have you started to house-train or potty-train it? If not, you must begin to do so, as the training will play a pivotal role in creating and maintaining a healthy and harmonious bond with your newest family member.
However, please remember that the training may not be that easy as the procedure demands patience to deal with multiple accidents, consistency, and a positive approach. According to Well Beloved, puppy potty training can come off as a surprise for some dog owners because there are many factors you need to consider when dealing with accidents. For instance, you may witness the cute fellow pooping on your living room’s expensive carpet, leaving you in a confused state of mind that it wasn’t entirely your puppy’s fault, but you can’t even let this continue. Therefore, this training may take anywhere from a few weeks to a year, so as a new dog owner, you should guide them properly to avoid such chaos from happening on your end in the first place.
Feeling scared? No worries. This blog is there to share the relevant details regarding puppy behaviour, the tools you will need, and the actual process of potty training. After that, you will find your puppy obeying your instructions and impressing your family and friends as well.
Understand Your Puppy’s Behaviour and Physiology
Since you are a new puppy parent and their house training, you need to understand their behaviour and physiological characteristics in the following ways:
Small Bladders and Bowels
Unlike adult dogs, your puppy has a small bladder and bowel system. This means that they have pretty much less control over their stool movements, especially at such a young age. So, they need to relieve themselves frequently, and at the same time, you have to be careful around them.
Age
A general rule of thumb states that a puppy can hold its bladder for roughly one hour for each month of its age. For example, a two-month-old puppy may need to go out more often, approximately every two hours, while a four-month-old puppy can hold it for about four hours. Thus, the frequency also depends on your puppy’s age.
Routine
Puppies work better on set routines. Hence, planning a consistent schedule for all their activities, like feeding, playing, and even potty breaks, is necessary for successful house training. This even solves the riddle of predictability for you, as you will know when your puppy needs what.
Natural Instincts
Dogs have a natural instinct for certain behaviors. For example, they tend to avoid pooping in the areas where they eat and sleep. However, when it comes to puppies, you need to teach them which areas are designated for stool, sleeping, and eating. Therefore, don't expect that little creature to know these things instinctively; you'll have to train them.
Marking Scent
You must have witnessed how adult dogs mark their scent to communicate. This marking is usually done in the form of urinating or defecating in a certain area. Why? It helps them mark their territory. Therefore, your puppy may do the same to identify their new home.
Stress
Like humans, your puppy can also experience stress and anxiety. This can occur for several reasons, such as loud noises, unfamiliar faces, new people, separation from you, and changes in their usual diet. During these distressing times, they may soil anywhere in the house. Therefore, it's important to create a calm and inviting environment to train them more effectively. Otherwise, this may become a barrier to traveling with your adorable wagging tail.
Must-Have Tools and Preparations
We know you are super curious to learn about the training process but hang on, you can’t possibly train your puppy without the following must-have tools and be prepared for any emergency:
Dog Crate
First on this list is a crate. Believe it or not, a crate does wonders in potty training your puppy. How? It provides an extremely safe and secure space for your puppy and helps in house training as well. However, while buying one, you need to make sure that it is appropriate so your puppy doesn’t have any issues standing, turning around, and even lying down. They shouldn’t be adjusting themselves to fit in.
Leash
Get a leash and collar for your puppy, if you already don’t own one. These accessories are important for keeping your puppy in control and identifying, especially while taking them out for potty breaks. Without a collar and leash, you may have difficulty finding your puppy in case they lose track. Hence, do the needful.
Enzyme Cleaner
Are you thinking about what an enzyme cleaner does? It plays a beneficial role in removing any kind of smells left once your puppy is done urinating or defecating. This serves as an indicator for your puppy that they are not supposed to return to that spot again. Regular cleaners fail to do this job as they are not designed to break down the biological units of urine and faeces, so no matter how many times you try to clean the surface, the stench will never end. Therefore, it is suggested you specifically buy an enzyme cleaner to eradicate the odour for good.
Treats
Go to your nearest dog store and get treats for your puppy. But make sure they are small, tasty, and especially healthy to prevent them from becoming obese. Plus, you are going to need these treats to reward them whenever they behave well and pass stool in their designated spot. Therefore, buy them to boost positive reinforcement.
Select A Potty Area
Your puppy has no clue where to pass stool, so it can go potty anywhere indoors or outdoors. Therefore, as a puppy parent, you need to select a potty for it and train it to defecate there. It can be an area in your backyard, or nearby, so without second thoughts and without causing trouble for others, it will immediately run there to relieve itself. So, don’t forget to choose a particular area.
Puppy Pads
Puppy pads are not necessary but can be helpful for indoor training. They can serve their purpose in the initial stages, especially if you live in an apartment. However, the goal here is to switch to outdoor elimination. Therefore, get them so you don’t have issues when they pass stool indoors.
Timer
Try your best to lay your hands on an advanced timer that assists you in staying on schedule with the number of potty breaks your puppy has to take. In this way, you will also never miss and save yourself from potty accidents as well.
Potty Training: The Process
Now comes the main part: the actual process of potty training. We have broken down the method into simple steps so you can easily embrace them and teach your dog the correct way to pass stool instead of surprising you at the last minute.
Set a Routine
You need to set a routine. In this schedule, you have to feed your puppy strictly at the same time every day. Then, take your puppy outside as soon as they wake up, followed by eating, drinking, and playing. The same formula is applicable before bedtime as well. Therefore, repeat the cycle in the morning at night.
After that, schedule potty breaks for your puppy to go regularly every 1-2 hours. Gradually increase the intervals as your puppy matures.
You can even consider using a verbal cue like “Go potty” or “Do your business” if that makes it easier for your puppy to understand the assigned potty place. But make sure you use it consistently, as then only it will register that it has to poop in that particular spot only.
Crate Training
Go ahead with crate training. Here, you need to gradually introduce your puppy to a crate. Make sure it is the correct size and that your puppy views it as a positive experience. Then, start feeding your puppy meals in the crate so they can become familiar and comfortable with it. Once you remove them from the crate, take your puppy outside immediately. Never use the box as a punishment; otherwise, your puppy will feel scared and refuse to go inside it.
Supervise
You might not want to keep your puppy in the crate all the time. Therefore, whenever it is outside, supervise it closely. If you are busy with work, limit it to a dog-friendly area, such as their personal puppy-proofed room or playpen.
Apart from that, you can use bay gates or other similar confinements to keep them near your sight and prevent them from accessing areas where accidents are likely to occur.
Create A Positive Reinforcement
While potty training your puppy, you must create a positive reinforcement meaning you have to reward your furry fellow right after they are done with pooping in the assigned spot. In this manner, the habit will become permanent; when they pass stool in that space, their master will appreciate their behaviour. Furthermore, accidents can still happen, so even if you see your puppy being eliminated in the wrong area, don’t lose your cool or start shouting at them. Punishing them will only make them scared of you, making the potty training more difficult; simply stop their action with a solid “No” and immediately carry them outside for them to continue their business. Apart from that, never rub your puppy’s nose in their waste. Clap for them after they are done, and offer them treats or toys to encourage them to repeat the practice in the future as well.
Clean up Accidents
You need to clean the accidents as soon as they are done properly. How? In the section on tools, we recommended using an enzyme cleaner. Hence, use that to clean the stool. This will remove any odour, preventing your puppy from returning to the same spot. Also, try your best not to buy an enzyme cleaner with harsh chemicals, as that, too, can be risky for your dog.
Recognise Your Puppy’s Signs
Naturally, your puppy can’t verbally express when they want you to take them to their potty spot. Therefore, as a dog owner, you should know how to recognize the signs or hints they give you telling you about the emergency. So, pay attention to their body language. For instance, they can begin to sniff, circle, whine and become pretty restless. If they do any of the actions or all of them, then without wasting a second, escort them outside. This will help you more, especially when you have guests at your place, so you won’t feel embarrassed that your dog has pooped on the carpet in the presence of people.
Potty Breaks At Night
We also discussed earlier that you must take your puppy for a potty break before bedtime. So, if your puppy is young, you must take it at night. This habit will stop on its own as it matures because then their bladders will not nudge them to release instantly, assisting them in holding on for longer periods.
Be Consistent
As long as you are consistent with your schedule, then you can expect your success in house training. Otherwise, if you keep changing the rules, that will only confuse them. Therefore, stick to the routine to make things easier for you and your puppy as well.
Show Patience
Your puppy is an individual, and it might take longer for them to get used to the routine. Therefore, you must show immense patience while teaching them about the spot where they must pass their stool. Yes, they can poop around in your house, but you have to stay calm and composed because if they sense a bit of anger, then your puppy will never get accustomed to the routine and even run from you. Hence, be careful.
Some Common Challenges
Now that we have told you how you can potty train your puppy, it’s time to share some common challenges you should know how to address. What are those problems? Let’s spill the beans:
Urination In Excitement
Does your puppy urinate when you greet it with too much excitement? Some puppies accidentally urinate, especially when they are excited to see their master. To tackle the issue, change your greeting style and provide your puppy with a calm environment that reduces its stress.
Marking
Your puppy should do their marking outdoors and not indoors. However, if you see them doing this very often, then it is highly recommended to consult a vet. Otherwise, get in touch with a certified dog trainer who has experience neutering or spaying them. This way, no more territory markings will be inside your home.
Anxiety
Did your puppy see you leaving them with another person? If so, then you have just triggered their separation anxiety. This tension due to separation can result in accidents. Therefore, you must relax them by providing them with toys and puzzles so they remain distracted in your absence. Gradually increase the time your puppy spends alone so you can focus on your other house and office tasks as well. Instead of rushing to clean up their mess.
When To Consult The Vet?
You can consult the vet if the following happens:
Struggling With House Training
Despite trying the majority of training methods, if you still struggle in potty training your puppy, get in touch with your vet or a certified dog trainer. Also, you need to be careful as dog trainers can be fake as well, therefore ask your friends about a reliable dog trainer who can examine your dog to provide you with tailored guidance. In this way, they can identify any existing cause and address that issue immediately without leaving you worried for your puppy. The same thing goes for your vet as well, as after analysing your puppy, they will be able to tell you the exact reason why your puppy isn't cooperating or understanding the house-training rules.
Frequent Accidents
It is rare that even after being house-trained, your puppy still surprises you or your other family members by passing stool in different spots. However, if your puppy does so, instantly take them to your vet to carefully examine your dog. After that, only they will be able to tell you what’s wrong and whether any underlying issue is causing the trouble.
Conclusion
Potty or house training can be easy and challenging, but that depends on your puppy and you. Just get the must-have tools, dog-proof your house, and adopt the mentioned training methods. Be consistent and see how your puppy impresses everyone by pooping in their assigned spot.
