Getting a dog is exciting and heartwarming. Millions of people worldwide have better lives because they have a furry friend to cuddle. But most people do not realize how much work it is to own a dog, especially when it is a puppy.
When a dog is still a puppy, we need to train it to ensure it is well behaved when it reaches adulthood. One of the most important aspects of training is potty training your dog. We do not want a dog that poops and pees all over the house.
As a result, we need to train the dog to only go to the bathroom when it is outside. The owner needs to perfect this step. If not, there could be problems for years to come.
When To Start Potty Training Your Dog
If the owner gets a 6-month-old puppy, it might already be potty trained. But, if it is still only a few weeks or months old, it might need training.
Most experts recommend starting potty training the puppy at 12 to 16 weeks old. By that time, the puppy should have control over its bladder, and as a result, it can learn to hold it. Before that time, the dog does not have full control of its bladder or bowel movements.
How to Potty Train Your Dog
The easiest way to train your dog to go to the bathroom outside is to keep it in a confined space. That space could be a crate, a room, or on a leash with limited room to walk around.
As your dog learns to go to the bathroom outside, we can give it more freedom to walk around your house. Here are a few steps to follow.
Keeping Your Dog On A Schedule
Make sure the dog is on a regular feeding schedule. Feed it breakfast and dinner at the same time every day. That way, it will need to go to the bathroom at similar times every day.
Take your dog outside to go to the restroom first thing in the morning. After that, we should take it outside at least once every hour throughout the day. We do not need to take them on a walk every time, but we should take them outside for a few minutes.
Bring your dog to the same spot every time to go to the bathroom. They will be able to smell that they were there before, and as a result, will prompt them to go to the bathroom again.
When your dog goes to the bathroom, give them a treat and praise them. Give them as much positive reinforcement as possible and a scratch behind the ears. Going for a walk is also an excellent reward. We need to reward our dog for performing well.
Spotting When Your Dog Needs to Go to the Bathroom
New dog owners might have trouble spotting when their dog needs to go to the bathroom. But once you know the signs, training will become even easier. Most dogs will start to whine, sniff, bark, or walk-in circles when they need to go to the bathroom.
Furthermore, many dogs scratch at the door to let their owner know they need to go.
Things to Avoid in Potty Training
There are some procedures that you should avoid during potty training. For example, we should never punish our dog for having an accident. Punishing or scolding them will not teach them not to go inside; it will only teach them to fear us.
Instead, loudly clap at them to let them know what they are doing is wrong. Then take them outside to go to the bathroom and give them a treat when they are done.
Do not scold your dog when you find evidence after the fact. Dogs are not capable of recognizing why we are scolding them for something that happened hours, or even minutes ago.
Final Thoughts
Training a puppy is a lot of work, but it is rewarding. Potty training is essential, and you should not have much trouble as long as you follow this expert advice.
Stanley Clark
Stanley Clark is a community development volunteer and writer. He had worked on several commercials, events, and campaigns before writing full-time in the area of natural health and wellness. He has a particular interest in reviewing CBD brands for their safety and legitimacy with CBDClinicals.com.
Please note the information shared in this blog post is provided by the author and information expressed may or may not be be in agreement with TMHPR and their leadership.