House & Crate Training

The best way to potty train your puppy is the keep them on a schedule.  Feed them the same time every day and crate train them that way they are not uncomfortable if you have to take them in the car somewhere.  When you travel always keep your puppy safe by traveling in a crate. 

If you are busy and can’t keep an eye on them keep them in a crate for short periods of time and let them out on a regular bases to go outside to potty and play time.  Remember, the more time you spend with your puppy, the quicker he will be house trained. Your objective is to take your puppy to his outside toilet area every time he needs to eliminate. This should be about once every 30-45 minutes but it will depend on your puppy’s age some have to go sooner and some later just keep an eye on them.  Always take them out, just after a play session; just after eating or drinking; and just upon waking. When he does eliminate in his toilet area, praise and reward him profusely and enthusiastically!  If your puppy does not eliminate bring your puppy back in and crate them for a few minutes and take them out again.  Once your puppy does eliminate he can stay out of the crate to play under supervision.  Remember most puppies go to the bathroom several times at once they don’t just go one time.  Let them stay out until you know they are finished.  Don’t set your puppy up for an accident.  Don't use any type of reprimand or punishment for mistakes or accidents. Your puppy is too young to understand and it can set the house training process back drastically. Don't allow your puppy freedom outside of his area unless you know absolutely for sure that his bladder and bowels are completely empty. When you do let him out, don't let him out of your sight. It is a good idea to have him on leash when he is exploring your home. He can't get into trouble if you are attached to the other end of the leash. Every 30 minutes return your pup to his toilet area. As your puppy becomes more reliable about using his toilet area and his bowel and bladder control develops, he can begin to spend more time outside his room with you in the rest of your home. Begin by giving him access to one room at a time. Let him eat, sleep and play in this room but only when he can be supervised. When you cannot supervise him, put him back in his crate or area.

Remember…The most important thing you can do to make house training happen as quickly as possible is to reward and praise your puppy every time he goes in the right place. The more times he is rewarded, the quicker he will learn. Therefore it's important that you spend as much time as possible with your pup and give him regular and frequent access to his toilet area.

The Key to Successful House Training: Consistency and Patience. Never scold or punish your puppy for mistakes and accidents. The older your pup gets, the more he will be able to control his bladder and bowels. Eventually your pup will have enough control that he will be able to "hold it" for longer and longer periods of time. Let your puppy do this on his own time. When training is rushed, problems usually develop. Don't forget, most puppies are not reliably house trained until they are at least 6 months old.

As you can see,  I did not mention leaving puppy pads or newspaper down in the house.  I do not believe in them because I don’t want to teach my pup that it is okay to potty in the house at any time.  Doggy pads and newspaper allow your puppy to potty in the house and then they think it is okay to go in the house and then it is a matter of retraining your puppy. 

Please remember if you have any questions or need help please contact me.

Thanks

Mike

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