How To Housebreak Your Puppy
One of the initial situations that you must learn to deal with when purchasing a new puppy is house training. This is an effort to train the puppy to use the bathroom outside instead of inside. Most people find this process frustrating. However, if you have the patience and prepare properly, you can get the job done without too much trouble. You might be interested in some info on housebreaking a puppy.
There are many different opinions on the best way to train your dog. The main reason for this is that different species of dogs have differing attitudes. Some dogs are simply stubborn and will require extra patience, while other species may pick up the process quite easily. If you haven’t chosen a puppy yet, this might be worth taking into consideration.
Puppies have a difficult time controlling their bladder, especially before the age of 12 weeks. This means that accidents will happen. Be prepared for this fact. You must be consistent with your approach and attitude during this training. Failure to do so will leave the puppy confused and will just make the process more difficult. Also understand that all dogs are different based on the genetics of the species and the dog’s natural attitude and temperament. If you have not picked out a puppy yet, take this into consideration.
An important early step in this process is setting a schedule and sticking too it. When you wake in the morning, immediately take the puppy outside to use the bathroom. Puppies generally wake up with a need to urinate, so take advantage of this by anticipating this need to go and equating it with going outside. Also set an eating schedule and take your puppy outside immediately after he or she eats. This is another typical time when a dog will need to use the bathroom. Anticipation and preparation is ideal, so keep these important moments in mind.
Be mindful of your puppy’s activity, namely sniffing, circling the floor, hovering in corners and general pacing. These are clear signs that the dog may need to go, so immediately take it outside. When you catch the puppy making a mistake, give it a stern “no” and quickly take it outside. Never hit your dog or resort to other cruel, ineffective techniques. Also, never punish a dog unless you have specifically caught it using the bathroom inside. If you find the mistake after the fact, there is no reason to punish the dog, as it will not understand exactly what the punishment is for, further confusing the pooch.
Great tools to make your job easier are puppy pads and dog kennels. When you need to leave the home, place the dog inside the kennel. Dogs will not want to relieve themselves in such a tight space, encouraging them to wait and go outside. Understand, however, that the puppy wont be able to hold it for long, so keep this in mind. Take him or her outside before they go into the kennel and as soon as you get home. Puppy pads are great for two reasons. The first is that they provide an ideal place for the dog to go while inside, helping you by causing less of a mess and potentially saving your carpets. Every day, move the pad a bit closer to your door. Eventually, the puppy will learn to work its way toward the door when it needs to go. This is the other key benefit of puppy pads.
Housebreaking a puppy is a tough task, but it is very achievable. Preparation and anticipation are key. By understanding when puppies typically need to relieve themselves, you can set up a schedule to aid you and the dog. Utilize a kennel when you must leave the house, and use puppy pads to avoid messes and teach the dog to migrate towards the door. In time, the puppy will learn these important lessons.
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categories: dog training,puppy training,pets,animals,family