Learning how to potty train dogs is an inevitable part of pet ownership. If you adopt an older dog, potty training is probably not something you need to worry about as older dogs have already learnt when and where is appropriate to do their business. Puppies are a different proposition, however, and once you introduce a new puppy into your home you must be prepared to spend a fair amount of time teaching your adorable puppy to do his business outdoors rather than on the living room carpet.
How to potty train dogs the easy way
There are certain protocols you must follow in order to ensure your dog is reliably toilet trained as quickly as possible. Most of them are common sense, but it is surprising how many owners made silly mistakes and end up reinforcing bad toilet habits without even realizing what they are doing.
Tips on how to potty train dogs
The important thing to remember when potty training puppies is that what goes in must come out, and with a puppy, this process does not take very long at all. Puppies are like toddlers—there is a very short window of opportunity between experiencing the urge to do their business and actually doing it, so you must be prepared to take the puppy outside frequently, and particularly after they have had a drink or eaten their dinner.
Puppies and dogs respond very well to positive reinforcement techniques. When they do their business in the right place, make a fuss of them in a happy voice, preferably as they are actually doing it, as this will yield the best results. Should they get it wrong, do not punish them. Just clean up the mess and stay quiet.
Dogs are often very quick to pick up on verbal cues, so it can be very useful to choose a word and use it when your puppy is doing his business in the correct place. This could be something easy to remember like “go potty”. The trick is to use the command each time he does as he is supposed to, and before long, he will associate the command with the action. Once he has made the connection, you will be able to use the command and get him to perform when the time is appropriate, which can be very useful for occasions when you do not want your dog to make a mess in an inappropriate place.
In the early days of your relationship, you must be prepared to take the dog out regularly and monitor him at all times. He will need to be taken out as soon as he wakes up and as soon as possible after meals. Do not offer him a drink or food unless you are able to take him outdoors, or he will have an accident.
It is a good idea to keep your puppy on a leash when you take him into the garden, as this will help you control what he does. If you have to go out for a very short period, put the puppy in a crate until you return to avoid any accidents—a puppy will not normally soil its bed.
