House Training Your Puppy: 3 Golden Rules
Monday, January 23rd, 2012
A guest post by James Walker, to learn more about being a veterinarian visit veterinarian tech salary
‘I require assistance house training my puppy’ is a familiar cry that anybody who trains dogs hears all of the time. In fact, it is probably the most common dog training issue. A dog owner might not care so much about having a dog that comes when it’s called, but every new owner wants a puppy that’s house trained - and fast!
When I was potty training my puppy I realized that there are certain principles that it was vital that you follow if the puppy was going to be potty trained easily and quickly, with minimum upset for the dog and minimum mess in the house. Here are what I consider to be the 3 golden rules of house training my puppy.
1. Love and patience
Puppies, like babies, need plenty of love and patience as they start to learn their way around the world. When a puppy first comes into your home it is likely to be a stressful time for him, even if you are very affectionate with him.
Keep in mind that he has suddenly been taken away from his mother and brothers and sisters into a strange environment with people and possibly other animals that he hasn’t ever met before. He may have had a lengthy car journey like nothing he’s known before. His food could be new and unfamiliar. Your home may be colder, warmer, noisier, quieter or smell different than he is accustomed to.
So when he first arrives he’s more likely to suffer from a little stress. Dogs, like humans, have a tendency to experience digestive disorders when they are stressed. Take this into account and be very patient with him through the training.
2. Set a schedule
I found that house training my puppy in the quickest way meant setting a firm schedule. Feeding times need to be consistent from day to day. You will have to feed in the morning and evening on the same times each day and then give the puppy an opportunity to go potty outside later.
It’s not always easy if you do not follow a regular schedule yourself - for example, if you are accustomed to getting up later on weekends. But when you are house training a puppy it is vital. Dogs need boundaries and schedules both psychologically and physically. Your puppy will be house trained much quicker if his or her digestive system has a schedule to follow.
3. Do not punish
There is no point in punishing or being angry with a pet who has a potty accident in the house. A pet cannot be aware that something as natural as going potty might be bad, and they will just get scared if they are punished for it.
Rather, remind the pup in a loving way that the best place for going potty is outside. Do not take him outside right after the accident because that may reward the unwanted behavior. But take him out after he eats and be real pleased with him when he does his business outdoors at those occasions.
Of course, make sure to make going outside an enjoyable and joyful time to ensure that he associates going potty outdoors with happiness. This has been the best way for me whenever i was house training my puppy.
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