The biggest
concern of people who have adopted a new puppy is potty training.
Traditionally, this involves leashing or chaining your puppy to go
outside or teaching him to use a certain area in the yard. The trick
is getting them to let you know when they have to go. The other
problem is what happens when the puppy is left home alone for
extended periods of time. There are a lot of accidents, which proves
to be frustrating for everyone involved.
For owners of
small breed dogs and those who live in apartments or have a confined
area for the their puppy outside, however, there is another option.
You can train your puppy to go in a designated spot in your house,
even when you are not home. This method is called litter training or
(house training) and is similar to what cat owners use.
Introduce Puppy
Slowly
Your puppy is
already adjusting to new surroundings and being away from his pack.
You should introduce everything to him as slowly as you can so that
he is comfortable and not scared by anything. When you introduce the
crate to your puppy, for example, you should first get him used to
being in it for short periods of time, without leaving him alone just
yet. Place your hand in the crate and let him know that it is a safe
place to be. Let him go in and out at his leisure at first and
progress from there with short segments of time when he is left alone
in the crate. Making him feel comfortable in his new surroundings
will make it a smooth transition.
Consistent Feedings
One key to
training a new puppy is to provide consistent feedings. This will
help in a number of ways. First, he will know when to expect his
food. You will know when to expect him to have to go potty. Leaving a
full bowl out all day will not allow you to have as much control over
the situation. Once he has eaten, remove leftover food and take him
to the spot you want him to go potty. He should be ready to use the
litter box within 20 minutes after eating, so this is an important
time to watch him carefully and help him succeed.
Puppy Training Pads
There are numerous
brands of puppy training pads on the market. They are made for
housebreaking puppies and creating indoor dogs. They block odor and
protect your floors. They are easy to dispose of and make cleanup a
breeze. Simply take your puppy to the pad when he needs to go potty.
With the right encouragement, the puppy will begin to use it with
more frequency.
Dog Liter
Similar to kitty
litter, dog litter is also available. This is another useful aid in
potty training your puppy indoors. Purchase a good size kitty litter
box and fill it with a small amount of the dog litter. Use the same
approach you would with the training pads, encouraging him to use the
litter box and praising him when he does. Put the litter tray in a
spot that is comfortable for your puppy. Dog litter will cut down on
odor problems as well. When placed inside of the larger cage, as
described above, it is especially convenient. Just be sure to keep
the cage and the litter box clean for your puppy.
Crate Training
By slowly
adjusting your puppy to a crate, you will be able to have more
control over when and where your puppy urinates. Two methods work
well in conjunction with the cage. The first plan is to have your
puppy in a small crate whenever you are not home or are unable to
keep a close eye on him. Immediately let him use the litter are when
you take him out of the crate. This will teach him bladder control
and keep him from using your entire house as a litter box. The second
plan is to have one large cage with a comfortable area on one side
and the litter box on the other side. This works especially well for
puppies left alone for long periods of time on a regular basis. This
is a lifesaver for the working pet owner. It allows for the puppy to
go when he has to go. He doesn’t have to wait for you to let him
out. There isn’t any punishment necessary, in this case, and makes
it easier for you to spend time playing with your puppy rather than
scolding him when you come home.
Praise and Rewards
The best way to
ensure your puppy will adapt to the new training method is to provide
consistent praise when he does what you want him to do. When your
puppy eliminates on the pad or in the litter, give him plenty of
attention and encouragement. Treats can also be offered as a way to
support the positive behavior. The key with offering treats is to be
consistent and offer praise each time.
Benefits of Indoor
Training
By training your
puppy to eliminate indoors, in his designated area, there will be
less mess and fewer accidents. There will be no need to worry about
accidents when you are away because your puppy will have a safe place
to go potty. There won’t be messes outside for you to pick up after
and you can simply dispose of the training pad or scoop the liter.
Your puppy’s health is another benefit. Some annual vaccinations
may be unnecessary if you puppy remains indoors. Your dog’s overall
health will be better and you could save on costly veterinarian
expenses.
Enjoy Your Puppy
Puppies are like
children; they only stay small for a short time. This should be an
enjoyable time for you and your puppy. Don’t let potty training and
accidents ruin this fun and exciting time. Puppies are social animals
and don’t like being isolated, so the quicker they are trained, the
less time they will need to spend in the crate and the more enjoyable
they will be as a pet. Play with your puppy, give him lots of
attention and be consistent with whichever method of training you
choose.
