There’s plenty to think about when puppy training and sometimes it can be a little overwhelming to think about. Here’s just a few of the Do’s and Don’ts when learning how to toilet train a puppy:
Do praise your puppy enthusiastically whenever they get it right.
Do put a command word to ‘performances’ i.e. “Be clean”
Do take puppy out frequently to toilet
Do use a puppy training houseline or lead to encourage your puppy outside rather than carrying them. This way they will eventually learn to take themselves there.
Do use a product to clean up accidents that is specifically designed for the job. Ammonia based products may actually encourage a puppy to return to the area again, so it’s best to avoid cleaning products with ammonia in.
Do learn to watch for tell-tale signs that puppy needs to go i.e. sniffing and circling.
Don’t punish your puppy for toileting in the house, they are likely to associate the punishment with toileting in your presence, not for their mistake. If this happens, they could end up making a bad habit of toileting in the house in future when you’re out of the room instead of going outside.
Don’t leave your puppy in the garden alone and presume they have toileted, stay and watch. This way you can praise them at exactly the right time as well as feeling assured that they have actually toileted.
Don’t expect the puppy to signal that they need to go out. This is a learnt behavior for a toilet training puppy, not something that they will naturally do without training.
Don’t expect your puppy to go for long periods of time without toileting, they need to be given a place or opportunity to relieve themselves regularly even at night-time, just like potty training a child. As your puppy grows and gains better bladder control, gradually extend the time between potty breaks.
Don’t remove puppy’s water at night to prevent peeing, they need constant access to fresh water.
Don’t feed puppy too close to bedtime, it will just make them need to poop approximately an hour later.
Remember, toilet training a puppy involves establishing a consistent routine, using positive reinforcement, and being patient. How long it takes will vary for each puppy, but keep being consistent and you will have yourself a house trained puppy in no time!