Potty Training 101

I get a lot of questions from new puppy owners on the topic of potty training. It's an important question too, because getting off on the right foot can make this a much easier task and make those first few months a lot more pleasant.

First of all let's cover the basics. New born puppies don't have the ability to defecate on their own. They need help from their mothers for the first couple of weeks. The mom stimulates the puppy to defecate by licking around their rear end. A good mom usually cleans up after her puppies, too.

At around three weeks of age normal puppies can get up out of the whelping box and do thier business on their own.

One of the keys to potty training is understanding how long a young pup can "hold it" and what events trigger the urge to go.

Young puppies have small bladders and at 8 to 9 weeks when you would normally bring them home they can only go about 3-4 hours between eliminations. This gradually improves, but a four month old pup shouldn't be expected to hold it more than 6 hours at the outside.

There are key events that trigger or precede elimination in most normal puppies. When they wake up is the most important event and after eating, drinking and playing are the other important times. 

The key to successful potty training is combining this knowlege with strict supervision both inside and outside and proper confinement when supervison is not possible.

When you are home keep an eye on the pup and be cognizant of the common triggers. Take the puppy outside after any of the above events or if the puppy seems uncomfortable and starts to sniff around. It's helpful to associate some words like "go potty" when you are taking them out. Resist the urge to intereact with them at these times. Say, "go potty", and ignore them with a watchful eye, if you know what I mean. When they do their business in a good spot heap on the praise.

When you can't be around, confine them in a place that is easy to clean up. If possible have a neighbor come over every few hours to let them out. Use potty training as an excuse to leave work. In any event make sure the first thing you do when you get home is take them out to go and praise them when they do the right thing .

If you live in an apartment and simply have to leave the puppy or even adult dog alone for the entire day consider a litter system for dogs. Second Nature from Purina is a good one and comes with suggestions on how to get started.

Most puppies can be potty trained by the time they are 12 weeks of age. Consistency, supervision and proper confinement when supervision is not possible are the keys. And one more thing. Punishment is never a good idea. At most, if you catch them in the act, take them immediately outside for the "go potty" routine. Never scold them after the act. Remember they have very short memories and they won't associate the disipline with the bahavior in most cases.

Good luck and "go potty."

Comments

[potty training a puppy]

Cool tip. Really glad to talk about puppies and all stuff related to it. Potty training a pup is a crucial stage for owners. If he/she is not keen to do it, the whole house would be a mess if the puppies stay long there. Patience is the main requirement to achieve it. Of course time is much awaited to do such thing.

[Dr Larry]

Dogs typically like to return to the same general area to do their business. You can encourage this by walking them to the desired spot instead of just letting them out. Take them where you want them to go and encourage them and praise them when they do what you want them to do. They'll get the idea pretty quickly if you are consistent.

[Linda]

Need help teaching my dogs, to potty in one area, we have a very small back yard and getting ready to landscape. I knew someone that taught her dogs to use a sand pit.

Please help any idea's on how to do this????
Hubby getting sick of cleaning up every day.

Thanks Linda