Kat's Lil Aussies

House Breaking your new puppy

posted Jan 24, 2009 4:26 PM by Kat Nedelka   [ updated Sep 13, 2009 1:16 PM ]

HOUSE BREAKING YOUR PUPPY!


The first time you puppy wobbles out to go potty you will notice his shaky legs and his deep concentration, usually with his head down staring at the floor. Ask yourself what does he see & smell? The answer is whatever surface he is standing on. This is his “bathroom!” Just as mom took you into a special place to potty, you learned the room & objects in the room. Your puppy was learning from day one where the bathroom was.  If it was paper, this is his comfort zone, if it was dirt, “Ahhh that’s the spot.” If it was concrete, that surface is recognized as the appropriate spot.  Being a baby he must learn to control his sphincter muscles so he is not soiling his bed, which means a cold smelly uncomfortable bed to sleep on. Be patient. Hopefully you buy a puppy that you do not have to spend hours confining & retraining to go on the proper surface.


If you wish to hasten potty training then by all means purchase a crate. First rule is to take your puppy outside every little while. Place him at the spot you wish him to go on & keep repeating “go potty.”  Please react with huge praise whenever this happens. It is so neat when you go on a trip & you can remind an excited dog to go potty. Just like a child it can be the last thing they want to do. If you have any soiled object from urine or “whatever” gingerly take it out & place it in the spot you wish him to go. For instance if your puppy was started on paper because he had to be indoors, gather up some paper containing urine & a scat & place out in the chosen spot. Since dogs often pick a spot in the yard & return there, it is your job to encourage this consistent behavior in your puppy. If he is leash trained, stand with him & confine him to the “spot.”

We all have owned dogs that riddled the yard with scats & it became a challenge to walk outside. Purchase some dog biscuits & crate your puppy with a treat for just a few minutes (like fifteen) at first. Put him in the crate at night.  This helps puppies to learn to hold their urine etc. Leave him in a little longer each time. If he cries ignore & let him out when time is up. Immediately escort him out to his spot to potty.

It seems smaller breeds many times are not properly potty trained. Please take time to train them just as you would a big breed dog. They are just as smart & quick to learn. I hope this helps you train your new puppy.       
 
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