Puppy House Training
A new puppy is a joy and a challenge. They’re cute, adorable, and full of energy. But if you don’t house-train them, that energy can lead to serious problems (not to mention a lot of extra cleaning).
It’s up to you as the owner or primary caregiver of your furry friend to teach them what’s expected of them when it comes time for an outdoor bathroom break or to use a potty pad. Here’s how to do it:
Pick a Potty Zone
The potty zone is the area of your home or yard where your puppy can relieve itself. A potty pad should be in a quiet part of the house and relatively close to its crate, food bowl, water bowl, and door or in an area of the yard that’s easy to access.
Once you’ve picked your puppy’s potty zone, it’s time for training! For more information on properly using a potty pad, check out our complete guide here.
Set a Regular Schedule
Once you have your puppy home and settled in, the next step is establishing a routine that will help him on his way to being house-trained. A good schedule will include the following:
- Feeding times
- Potty breaks (both before and after eating)
- Playtime
- Sleeping time (the best time for this depends on your dog’s age and needs)
- Walking time/ Exercise
Take Them Out Often
You can tell when your puppy needs to go out by paying attention to their behavior. Dogs tend to sniff the ground and circle around before they squat down. When your puppy does this, take them outside immediately so that they can relieve themselves.
If you take your puppy out every hour on the hour, he or she will start learning quickly that it’s time for potty breaks at certain times of the day. If you wait too long between trips outside, then accidents are more likely to occur.
Reward Successful Potties
Now that your pup has successfully gone potty outside or on its potty pad, it’s time to reward them. You can praise them as they do their business and tell them how good they are. But don’t stop there—you should also give a treat or toy!
Don’t Punish Him if He Has an Accident
When you’ve caught your puppy peeing on the floor, don’t get angry or punish him. He doesn’t know that he’s doing something wrong. Punishment will only make him afraid of you and cause him to hide from you when he needs to go potty.
Crate Training Works Well for Puppies
Crate training is one of the most effective ways to house-train a puppy. It’s important to use the crate correctly, however, since it will only be successful if your dog is comfortable in the crate. For a full guide on crate training, check out our complete guide here.
If you’re just beginning to raise a puppy, we hope this article has been helpful. But don’t worry if you’re already in the middle of house-training your pup—we know it can be challenging!
Remember that the most important thing is to remain firm, consistent, and patient. With time, your dog will learn what’s expected of him and before long, they will be fully house-trained and ready to tackle new challenges and training exercises.
