One of the first things you need to do when you get a new puppy is to work on puppy potty training. Training your puppy to go potty in the right place will save you from cleaning up many messes. In most cases, puppies do have signs they show when they need to eliminate, including restlessness, going in circles, and sniffing around. It’s important to recognize these signs so you know what to look for in your puppy. If you’re not sure where to begin the potty training lessons, here are a few puppy potty training tips that really work.
Tip #1 – Designate a Potty Area
The first tip to remember if you’re potty training a puppy is to designate a potty area. This may be a place outside, some newspapers in your home, or a potty pad. The important part is to have a specific area where your puppy is supposed to go to the bathroom. Allowing your puppy to go several places will be confusing. Come up with a designated potty area and then teach your puppy to go to that area when he needs to go to the bathroom.
Tip #2 – Realize that Accidents Will Happen
Another important puppy potty training tip is to realize that accidents will happen. It will take some time for your puppy to learn where to go to the bathroom. However, when accidents happen, you shouldn’t punish your puppy. It’s better to clean up the mess and then make sure that the odor is eliminated.
When the accident occurs, take your puppy to the potty area and allow him to sniff the area. Cleaning accidents up thoroughly is important, since dogs smell really well. If the puppy can smell an area where he eliminated, he’ll return to the same place to go again. You don’t want this to be on your carpet.
Tip #3 – Take the Puppy to the Potty
When you are first potty training your puppy, you need to start by taking your puppy to the potty. This way you are right there with your puppy to ensure that he eliminates in the right area. Just make sure to avoid distracting your puppy until after he has gone to the bathroom. Another reason you should take your puppy to the potty yourself is so you can praise him when he goes in the right area. Once your puppy is able to go to the right area by himself, you won’t have to monitor him so closely.
Tip #4 – Establish a Good Routine
Establishing a good routine is an essential tip for puppy potty training as well. You need to come up with a potty schedule that works for your puppy. Puppies usually eliminate after playing, when they first wake up, and awhile after eating. Usually puppies will need to go about 30 minutes after they eat, so keep this in mind when feeding your puppy. As you continue to get into a routine, your puppy will remember the routine and will begin going potty on his own in the right area.
Potty training doesn’t have to be difficult. You can train your puppy quickly and easily with the right techniques. Use these tips and you’ll have the puppy potty training complete in no time.