Puppy Potty Training Tips
May 29
Potty training your new puppy, perhaps one of our Yorkie Poo puppies for sale in Pennsylvania and Ohio, can be a long and frustrating experience for new and old dog owners alike. Some initial thoughts to keep in mind when starting house training: it will take time and there will be accidents. You’ll want to plan on having supplies on hand to clean up after accidents. You’ll need to have some kind of enzyme cleaner to break down the bacteria in their urine and feces so that there isn’t a lingering scent that might encourage your puppy to return to the same spot. Some useful non-chemical options are a mixture of vinegar and peroxide.
First let’s talk about some common mistakes that people make with new puppies such as our Havanese puppies for sale in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Do not scold or punish your puppy for going inside the house. They just don’t know any better, yet, and they have to go somewhere. Another reason not to punish is that they may not understand why they are being punished. This is particularly true if you haven’t caught them during the elimination. Returning a puppy to the site of an accident and “rubbing their nose in it” will not encourage them not to eliminate there and will only confuse them. A puppy will not associate a punishment with something they have already done; instead, they will associate it with whatever they were or are doing at the exact moment of the punishment.
However, there are things that you can do to encourage your puppy, such as a Malti Poo puppy for sale in Pennsylvania and Ohio to eliminate in the areas that you wish him use. A dog will not generally choose to eliminate in their “den,” however, it takes a while for them to understand that the entire home is the den. You will need to watch your puppy almost constantly to learn signs that he needs to eliminate. Generally, puppies need to go shortly after eating, playing, and after a nap. Having a set schedule for feeding will encourage your puppy’s body to have set times for eliminating. Only feed at these times instead of leaving a bowl of food out all the time. Also, limit water consumption close to your bed time to lessen the possibility that he or she will need to go in the middle of the night.
Always take your puppy out through the same door and to the same spot. Do not play with your puppy before they go potty. You want them to be focused on going potty. Also, use the same words, such as, “puppy go potty,” “go potty,” etc., so that they make the appropriate associations. It may also help to have a special treat that they only get when they go potty outside in the correct place. Just remember to give the treat right away. Don’t wait until you go back inside, or they will associate the treat with going inside. Also, wait until they have finished eliminating to offer praise. Puppies are easily excited and distracted, especially small puppies such as Shih Tzu puppies for sale in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Offering praise before they are done may cause them to quit early and then finish later, somewhere inappropriate.
