{"id":70,"date":"2024-07-23T11:01:28","date_gmt":"2024-07-23T11:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/17\/7-tips-for-potty-training-your-puppy\/"},"modified":"2021-02-17T16:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-02-17T16:00:00","slug":"7-tips-for-potty-training-your-puppy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/23\/7-tips-for-potty-training-your-puppy\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tips For Potty Training Your Puppy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bad news: a mess in the house is a reality with a new puppy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Good news: potty training a puppy is really straightforward. After all, what goes in must come out. And it\u2019s good for things to come out because that means everything is working just right!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But the hope is to teach your puppy that eliminating outside is far more desirable than inside your home. It makes life just that much easier and cleaner for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So, to help, I\u2019ve gathered up some tips to help you house train your puppy. But first, a bit of background on your puppy\u2019s early weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n <!-- This site is converting visitors into subscribers and customers with OptinMonster - https:\/\/optinmonster.com --><\/p>\n<h2><b>From The Very Beginning<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Every puppy is an individual, but also a reflection of the environment where she began her new life. In the whelping environment, the dam is the first influence in natural cleanliness. She will \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lick her puppies\u2019 genitals to stimulate elimination<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Eat what her puppies eliminate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keep the whelping area super clean.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the mother doesn\u2019t do this, and some don\u2019t, it\u2019s up to the breeder to do it. Either way, it\u2019s a boatload of work for the dam or breeder to keep up with cleaning a litter of puppies, all day and all night.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Soon the puppies will start to move around and pee and poop on their own. It\u2019s a sight to behold when they totter as far away from their sleeping area as they can just to poop. Most walking puppies, if given the chance, won\u2019t eliminate where they sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As puppies mature, and the whelping area turns into a romper room, the breeder\u2019s choices count for a whole lot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I think that puppies raised in barns or outdoor kennels are the easiest to house train. They literally have been going outside since they started to move around. They learned it from the environment in which they were raised.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Puppies raised in a home tend to take longer to potty train. That\u2019s because they\u2019ve been going in the house since the very get-go. That\u2019s all they know.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Is one breeding environment better than the other? No, I don\u2019t think so. It\u2019s simply what the breeder has chosen for raising her puppies. Sometimes it has to do with space, time of year (weather) and the breed of dog. Eventually, no matter where your puppy began her life, if you\u2019re a good teacher, it all evens out!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Simple Tips For Potty Training Your Puppy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Now you have a better idea of what your puppy has been used to up to this point. Now it\u2019s time to start training.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Bringing Your New Puppy Home<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You\u2019ve bought your puppy a bed and toys. You\u2019ve planned out the best puppy diet and bought nice bowls. You\u2019ve put a crate in the bedroom. You\u2019ve bought a matching harness and leash \u2026 and your custom tags just arrived. YAY!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is all great stuff, part of the yummy puppy package. But don\u2019t forget about the simple fact that your puppy is a living being. She will have normal biological functions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your whole family needs to consider and discuss this before bringing your new little puppy home. Otherwise, after three weeks of very little sleep, you\u2019ll wish you\u2019d been a bit more prepared on this end. Preparation is the key to success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So this next rule is the most important one!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. The 20 Minute Rule<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here it is, as simple as simple gets. If your puppy ate, drank or is walking around in your home, <\/span><b>take her outside every 20 minutes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your puppy is playing, running around, chewing on a bone, <\/span><b>take her outside every 20 minutes.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Any time your puppy is active \u2026 <\/span><b>every 20 minutes go outside.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When does this rule not apply? If your puppy is sleeping.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you live in a warm climate, this is super easy. If you live in a colder climate, leave your <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">potty clothes<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> by the door so you\u2019re ready when you need to take your puppy out. And if you forget, no worries. You\u2019ll just be one of the many puppy owners who has stood in the snow barefoot, watching and waiting for their puppy to go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As your puppy ages, if you\u2019ve been super consistent and vigilant, you won\u2019t have to take her out as often.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Potty Training A Puppy: Day Vs Night<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During the day, follow the 20 minute rule unless your pup is sleeping.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When it\u2019s bedtime, I recommend a crate or gated area for your puppy. This is especially important if nature calls in the middle of the night. If the breeder did her job, your puppy should whine. She\u2019ll want to leave her sleeping area to go. This is super cool actually \u2026 and you should be grateful. As her bladder and bowels mature, she\u2019ll have to get up less and less during the night. And that means sweet dreams for you!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Training At The Door<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How do you know when your growing puppy has to go outside? I usually have bells on a leather strap from the doorknob to the floor. Every time the door opens, the bells jingle. This helps teach your dog that the bells must jingle before she goes out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Over time (and time is relative to each puppy) \u2026 your puppy will experiment with touching the bells to make a sound. That\u2019s when you know she\u2019s starting to make a connection between the bells and going outside. Until then, your responsibility is to put yourself on a schedule, <\/span><b>every 20 minutes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. This creates consistency and reinforces your training.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Where To \u201cGo\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s best to let your puppy tell you where in the yard is the best place for her to \u201cgo.\u201d Puppies are fairly particular about their spot. Some like to be near their owner \u2026 others like a bit more privacy. Some need a certain scent to make them feel comfortable. Some need to do an initial speed lap around the yard. And of course some then need to do a celebratory speed lap after they\u2019ve peed or pooped.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I\u2019m not a fan of using potty pads inside the house. I find it takes a good long while to truly transition a puppy to go outside. But I also understand that it can be almost impossible to make it outdoors from the top of the building in time. So, if you need to use a potty pad, I\u2019d place it near the front door. You can use a semi-gated area, or a litter box-type set up. It\u2019ll make it easier to transition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>PRO TIP:&nbsp;<\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Caution with potty pads: don\u2019t use one in every room. Just use one, and keep it in a specifically marked area. I know more pads might seem more convenient. But teaching your puppy to use a potty pad in different rooms is a super bad idea. Potty training a puppy goes out the window in the long run if you use multiple pads.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Outside Space<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your puppy goes outside to eliminate, go with her. This is for safety, but also to verify that your puppy did indeed go. Keep in mind that puppies have the attention span of a gnat. A leaf blowing by can make your new gal forget why she went outside in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And, each puppy will have a different potty style. This is something you should learn about your puppy. What\u2019s her style? Does she empty her bladder and bowels in one shot, or does she take 3 or 4 jaunts around the yard? You need to know this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your outside space is fenced in, you can choose if you want to use a leash or not. If your outside space isn\u2019t fenced, always use a leash for safety.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>7. Marking The Big Event<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Initially, when your puppy is eliminating, but not before, use your cue word or phrase \u2026 whatever it is. You can say whatever you want: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">park it, go potty, do your business<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. It really doesn\u2019t matter what phrase you use, just make sure it\u2019s something you\u2019re comfortable saying in public.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When your puppy has finished, that\u2019s when you give praise. You can even go for a walk around the yard together before going back inside. I use rewards for training, but I don\u2019t recommend using a food reward for potty training. I\u2019ve met way too many super-keen puppies that catch on really quick. They figure out <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">eliminating = treats<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and start to try it out wherever their owner is. Inside or out. So, just use lots of good praise, acknowledging a job well done!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Over time, you\u2019ll be able to say your word or phrase, jingle the bells and go outside and have your puppy pee or poop on cue. But that\u2019s over time, so don\u2019t get overzealous in the beginning. It\u2019s a gradual process \u2026 a marriage of sorts between your consistency and your puppy\u2019s maturity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How long will it take? To set yourself up for success, consider this a new forever. Oh, wait a minute, what? No time limit?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But if you set a time limit for your puppy, you\u2019re setting yourself up for frustration and disappointment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you accept your puppy\u2019s schedule as your new normal, it will all go much more smoothly. It will progress naturally, without unnecessary pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n <!-- This site is converting visitors into subscribers and customers with OptinMonster - https:\/\/optinmonster.com --><\/p>\n<h2><b>How To Deal With Accidents?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So, you\u2019re doing everything correctly. You\u2019re going outside, following the 20 minute rule, crating your puppy at night. But she\u2019s still having accidents. What then? This can \u2026 and likely <\/span><b>will<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> happen. And probably more than once.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With accidents, first and foremost, double check that your management is good management. Make sure you\u2019re doing your part. If you\u2019re the weak link, and that\u2019s why there are accidents, then correct that first.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Make sure you don\u2019t get upset when your puppy has an accident. Always remember, what goes in must come out and this is a good thing. Clean it up, be grateful for a healthy puppy. And set your timer for 20 minutes!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sometimes though, accidents can be caused by something else. If everything with your training seems to be going well, it could be a medical issue like parasites. It may also be the wrong food. Or it could simply be a puppy who isn\u2019t maturing on schedule. Some need a bit more time both emotionally and physiologically, and that\u2019s ok. A watchful eye can help you narrow down what might be going on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the end, enjoy. Truly, enjoy this time with your puppy. Potty training a puppy is an important part of the puppy phase, and it all goes by so quickly \u2026 like a blink of the eye. Good luck!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bad news: a mess in the house is a reality with a new puppy. Good news: potty training a puppy is really straightforward. After all, what goes in must come<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":71,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-natural-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}