Puppies epitomize cuteness, with their tiny wagging tails, innocent eyes that let them get away with the most heinous deeds and their persistent habit of following their owner’s around. Now, pet owners of all ages will concur that raising a puppy can be a gratifying and rewarding endeavor. However, it is also a task that will take loads of patience and diligence.
Although there are scores of things that you can teach your pet as he/she grows older, the first lesson will generally be about potty training, Yes, nothing will dampen your spirits more than coming back home to find your carpet, couch or bed soiled. If you have spent several back breaking hours trying to clean up after your dog; here are 10 surefire potty training tips that will help you to teach your pet to take his/her business outside
Housetraining your dog does not have to be a pain: Puppy potty training does not have to be an unpleasant and arduous task; in fact, it can be a stepping stone to a more elaborate training program and a bonding process. While potty training your animals will help to reduce messy accidents, the real reward is the healthy and happy relationship that you will forge with the animals pet early on.
Don’t wait: A lot of first time pet owners wonder about the most opportune moment to start puppy potty training. The right time to instill good habits in your new pet is IMMEDIATELY. However, it is imperative to remember that the little fella will not have achieved control over his bladder and bowels just yet
Be consistent with the feeding times: Puppies generally need to be fed five times a day; ensure that you are consistent with their feeding times and the amount of food offered. Do not feed your pet four hours before bedtime; also take away the drinking bowl 2 hours before he or she is put to bed. Ensure that you stick to this routine day and in day out to make your puppy understand what is expected out of them.
Take the puppy out: Take your pet out diligently after every feeding and once before bedtime. Do not play with your pet till they have eliminated or in their excitement they may forget the job at hand, only to get back home and go all over the carpet. If after ten minutes of outdoor time, there is no action, bring the pup back and put them in their crate. Let them stay there for about 20 minutes before taking them out again.
Use the right potty training tools: When choosing a dog potty for your puppy, make sure that it is easy to clean, has a splash back, includes a post for the animal and is big enough for them to fit in even a few months down the line.
Restrict your puppy’s movement around the house: Till the animal is house trained, do not let them venture into your bedroom or other areas of the home with carpets, couches, chairs etc that can be easily dirtied and are hard to clean. In fact, restrict the pet to a room that has simple tile flooring.
Use newspaper: If you are not too keen on cleaning the mess made by your pet, simply use some newspaper. All you need to do is discard it once the pup has done its job. Also, this option is considerably cheaper than the gels, pads and other litter products in the market.
Watch your puppy closely: If you are a first time pet owner, you may have to spend some time with your new pup to understand his behavior and actions and what they indicate. For instance, every time they have their food, watch out for telltale signs like whining, circling or squatting all of which point to a need to go potty. This is the time to physically pick the pup up and take them to the litter area or outdoors.
Clean accident spots thoroughly: Puppies tend to smell out the accident spot and relieve themselves in the very same place the next time they feel the urge. It is imperative to thoroughly clean the spot; use a deodorizer to eliminate the smell for humans as well as dogs to prevent further accidents.
Don’t change the surface: Finally puppies get used to the litter surface, so do not change it midway into the training. This means that you have started out with newspaper, stick with it.
If your new pet continues making a mess around the house despite incorporating these tips in your daily routine, you are probably leaving them unattended for too long. Try to attend to their needs more frequently and this should generally be enough to take care of the mishaps. Remember that your puppy will still be learning the tricks of the trade in this crucial period, so you need to be patient, persistent, loving and above all FORGIVING of occasional lapses.