If you have a new puppy you may be looking for some helpful tips in getting the little fellow potty trained. The best advice is to get started on a standard routine. Here are some tips to help you out.
Sorry puppy had a potty accident
Things to keep in mind while setting up a potty training routine:
- Up until the age of 12-13 weeks a puppy has little to no control over their bladder or bowels. The reason a puppy can hold it all night without eliminating is due to their lower resting metabolic rate. In the daytime they’re more active and therefore have to eliminate more frequently. After 12-13 weeks your puppy can in general “hold it” up to 2-3 hours. The general rule is that with each additional month of age your puppy can hold it an hour longer (ex, if a puppy is 4 months of age they should be able to hold it for 3-4 hours). Again this is a general, and each puppy can vary in how long they can go in between eliminations.
- Puppies are not born knowing to eliminate outside. They have to be shown where they need to eliminate. If you allow them to potty in your house then they will prefer to eliminate inside.
- Do not allow your puppy to play while going potty outside or play after they go potty. If you mix potty and play, then you will produce a puppy that will want to play instead of going potty. If you want your puppy to play then wait until after they eliminate outside, bring them inside and wait for a few minutes and then let the go outside to play. It is okay if your puppy eliminates while in play.
- You will need to allow your puppy to go potty after eating, drinking, naps (when they awake from a full night’s sleep), and after heavy play or exercise.
- If your puppy goes outside to potty and does not eliminate ( only when you know they have to go potty, ex; like after they ate) then go inside, put your puppy in the crate or keep them on a leash and wait for a few minutes, then go back outside to let them eliminate. The best way to stop a behavior is never let it start. Do not let them back inside and go to the next room and go potty.
- Crate training is the best way to potty train a puppy. Your puppy should be in the crate when you cannot watch them and at night. Never allow your puppy to sleep in bed with you at night!
- If you have to ask“where’s Spot?” then your puppy is more than likely learning a bad behavior. You should never find a potty in your house. Remember your puppy is not trustworthy. They have to earn trust.
- You must keep a consistent routine for your puppy to learn to potty outside. Remember your puppy will have accidents, it is normal. The accidents will always be in front of you so you can teach your puppy that was wrong and to eliminate outside. Again constant supervision is required, this means you should never find a potty in your house. If you do then you discourage the potty training process, and you puppy will continue to eliminate in your house.
I hope this information is helpful, for more information about potty training attend our classes.
