Successfully Housebreaking Your Puppy
Having a new puppy in the house can be fun and rewarding, but it is also a huge responsibility. One of the first things you’ll want to accomplish is the task of housebreaking your new dog, and depending on whom you ask there are many ways to accomplish this. Here we will outline a program for potty training that is recommended by veterinarians and trainers alike—a program which will quickly teach your new dog that the place to do his business is outside.
The proper age to begin housebreaking your puppy is when he/she is about 8 weeks old—an age when your pup can begin to understand your commands and preferences. The process should begin by taking your puppy outside frequently, up to 8 times a day, and should be repeated until the behavior is learned. Be sure to take the puppy outside after he awakes, after play sessions, and about 10-15 minutes after each meal, and take him to the same spot outside each time to avoid any confusion about your preferences.
Now that you’ve chosen the outdoor spot where you’d prefer your dog to eliminate, wait until the dog urinates or defecates and immediately praise or reward him. This can be done with some type of food treat, lavish praise such as “good boy” or even an impromptu play session, but the important part is that the puppy is praised immediately. Waiting too long to offer up praise, such as waiting until you return to the house, will confuse the dog and he won’t be able to associate the praise with the act of eliminating outdoors.
Unlike older dogs who can wait considerably longer between elimination sessions, a new puppy will need to urinate up to 6 times a day and should be watched carefully while indoors. This means that the puppy should be restricted to a single room where you can keep an eye on him, and when this is not practical the puppy should be kept in a crate or carrier of some kind. If an accident does occur while the puppy is inside, immediately scold him and take him outside to the designated spot.
Owning a new puppy can be very rewarding indeed, but it can be a lot of work initially. To ensure that your new puppy learns the skill of “outdoor elimination” try to be consistent with both your praise and scolding. With a little time and effort most puppies will respond to this program and will quickly become housebroken.
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