Potty Training - Site Catalog

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Problems With Puppy Potty Training
Help With Housebreaking Puppies
Jan 21, 2008 Charla Dawson

A key step in housebreaking puppies is taking them on leash to the same area of the yard each and every time they need to "go".

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Pup-Head Portable Pottty Pad. This low-rise (only 2? off the floor) portable potty is easy to use for small dogs. Made for indoor or outdoor use, the extra soft synthetic grass is nature-like and infused with anti-microbial agents to fight odors.

Problem:

How do I get my puppy to potty when I let it outside? He/she runs around outside for 20 minutes and then comes inside to go potty. Solutions:
Take The Puppy On Leash to Go to The Bathroom - This helps leash train the puppy but also allows the owner to see that the puppy went potty. This allows the owner a chance to give a reward for going potty. When training, the owner needs to give the reward immediately; waiting until you are back in the house to reward is too late. The puppy will not understand the reason it got the reward. When giving the reward immediately the puppy soon learns that using the bathroom outside equals treat. Take The Puppy to The Same Area of The Yard – Each time you take the puppy outside to go potty; go to the same area of the yard. This allows the puppy to smell itself in the yard. The puppy will soon learn what goes on in this area of the yard and want to go to the bathroom. This is nice for the owner too - there will be only one corner of the yard to clean up. Give Your Puppy About 10 Minutes to Potty – If puppy has not gone potty within about 10 minutes then put him/her back in the crate. The puppy does not get to play or run free in the house until it potties outside. Play time is a reward, only reward good behavior. Wait about 15 – 20 minutes then try again; repeat until the puppy potties outside – then reward. Give a Command to Go Potty – Giving a command teaches the puppy what you expect of him. This is no different in potty training. When you say "go potty” or "do your business” as the puppy uses the bathroom he learns what that command means. This helps speed up the potty training process. Later in life giving the potty command to your dog will help when you are running late and you need your dog to go potty and come right back inside.
Potty training can be a lengthy process but don't give up; all dogs/puppies are potty trainable. These steps are meant to be used together - don't try to cheat by only using the steps that are the easiest. All of these tips are important for success.
References: Kansas Humane Society, Behavior lecture, Dr. Emily Weiss, Kansas Humane Society Animal Behaviorist

Source: http://pet-training.suite101.com/article.cfm/problems_with_puppy_potty_training

Potty Training | Transitions: 541 | Added by: Charla Dawson | Date: 2010-05-01

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Potty Training a New Puppy

Instructions

Age

Step 1:
Each breed of puppy develops bladder and bowel control at different ages. Usually, puppies do not develop full bladder and bowel control until they are six months of age. So, until they are six months of age, do not expect perfection. Do not punish your puppy for what he cannot control. Your puppy is just like a human infant; bladder and bowel control is developed with age.

Pick a Potty Spot
Step 1:
Pick a potty spot where your puppy will relieve herself. Since puppies do not have very good bladder and bowel control, pick a spot that is easily accessible at all times. Choose a spot that is away from your puppy's food and water. Puppies usually do not like to go to the bathroom by their food, water or bedding. The potty spot can be outdoors or indoors. If you choose an indoor potty spot, place a wee-wee pad on the ground at the desired spot. Be consistent--do not move the potty area around or you will confuse your puppy.

Teaching Your Puppy to Use the Potty Spot
Step 1:
Bring your puppy over to the potty spot and praise him. Whenever your puppy wakes up or after he eats (times when puppies usually go to the bathroom), bring him to the potty spot and praise him. If your puppy relieves himself somewhere other than the designated potty spot, soak a paper towel in the urine or bring a piece of feces to the designated area and show your puppy while praising him. Clean up the potty accident thoroughly with a natural enzyme pet-odor spray to fully remove the odor. If the smell is left, your puppy will continue to relieve himself in that spot. Whenever your puppy successfully goes to the bathroom in the designated area, praise him and give him treats as a reward. Clean potty areas that become soiled. When training puppies, always leave a little bit of urine or feces in the potty area so the puppy knows he is supposed to go the bathroom there. If you potty train your puppy to go indoors and you later want to train him to go outdoors, move his wee-wee pad to the backyard. Bring your puppy to the new spot in the backyard and show it to him. Regularly show your puppy the new potty spot until he is regularly using it. Expect accidents at first. Once your puppy is used to going to the bathroom in the new outside spot and is no longer having accidents, the wee-wee pad can be removed. Note: Do not switch from an indoor to an outdoor potty area until your puppy is fully potty trained.

Positive Reinforcement
Step 1:
Use positive reinforcement when potty training your puppy. Do not punish or get upset with your puppy for making a mistake. Punishing your puppy will only confuse him. Instead, praise your puppy when he succeeds. Puppies respond and learn better from praise.

When Potty Training Is Not Working
Step 1:
A puppy may take six or more months to fully become potty trained. If after eight months your puppy does not become potty trained, there may be a problem. There are two causes for a puppy to not potty train. The first cause is a medical problem. Some puppies and dogs have medical problems that make it so they do not have bladder and bowel control. Take your puppy to a veterinarian and explain the potty-training situation so that the veterinarian can examine your puppy to determine if a medical problem exists. The second cause for a lack of success in potty training is humans. If humans do not give clear directions in a calm manner and do not use positive reinforcement, they can confuse their puppies. Puppies and dogs want to please their humans. But if they are confused, they do not know how to. If potty training your puppy has not been successful and your veterinarian has ruled out any medical problems, evaluate your potty training methods to make sure you are giving your puppy clear signals and are using positive reinforcement.

Potty Training | Transitions: 580 | Added by: Rose Kivi | Date: 2010-04-30

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Potty Training Praise for Puppies

Overview
Puppies are truly adorable---until they make that first mess on your rug. It is important to start potty training your pup from the moment you bring her home to avoid letting your puppy develop bad habits that will be harder to break when she gets older. In order to potty train or "house break" your pup, you have to offer your puppy a little incentive to do good. This means praising your dog when she does well, and denying praise when she has an accident.

Praising with Treats
Treats are a great way to train your dog not to make in the house. Every time your dog succeeds in not having an accident in the house, reward him with positive praise like "Good boy!" or saying his name and then offering him a treat. Be careful not to give treats when your puppy does not obey the no making in the house rule, as this will only enforce negative behaviors. Your dog will love healthy biscuits or a small toy when he does well. He will begin to equate being potty trained with positive enforcement.

Praising with Affection
Never underestimate the power of touch on your canine little buddy. Letting your puppy know with a good, hearty rub on the head, behind the ears, or on the belly will let your dog know that you love her and are proud that she is doing so well in her potty training efforts. Simply taking your dog for a walk is a great way to enforce the house breaking rules while giving your dog special time and affection. While rubbing your dog, reward her with positive affirmations said in a kind voice. This will help her feel reassured and loved.

Praising with Special Time
The only thing your dog loves more than treats and belly rubs is special time with you. If your dog does well, take him for a special walk. Or, take him to a nearby dog-friendly park for some special bonding time spent playing fetch, throwing a Frisbee, going for a run or just people watching. This special time spent with your dog will not only let your puppy know that he has done well and you are proud of him, but it will help you to develop a special bond with your dog that will make him feel loved and desired.

Denying Praise after Accidents
Avoid at all costs "disciplining" your dog when she makes a mistake by hitting her with rolled up newspaper or rubbing her nose in it, especially if the incident occurred while you were away. Your dog will not remember the mistake she made and will be very hurt that you are punishing her for something that she does not even remember. Hitting your dog in any form is animal abuse and should therefore be avoided. Simply putting your dog in her kennel, or denying her treats and attention should be enough to let your dog know that you are disappointed. Remember, your pet is still a baby and needs a little extra care. Be understanding in the training process to build a healthy relationship with your puppy.

Potty Training | Transitions: 1001 | Added by: Elizabeth Holli Wood | Date: 2010-04-30