Housetraining New Puppies
Dear New Puppy Owners,
Housetraining can be frustrating. It feels like you are constantly taking your dog out, yet you still find pee on the bathroom rug. Let’s say you’re NOT alone, puppy owners of Vero Beach, FL.
I understand the struggle, and I’m here to give tips on the best ways to start getting ahead of the problem. When a puppy comes to my house for training, I first set up a “potty log” note sheet by the back door. Each time the pup goes outside, I note the time and whether it urinated (UR) or had a bowel movement (BM). If the puppy has an accident in the house, I also note it on the sheet. Pretty soon, you can see a pattern developing that tells you how often and when your pup needs to potty.
Data Is Your Friend when Housetraining Puppies!
The potty log method is beneficial when multiple people take the dog out because you know exactly how long it has been!
It’s also crucial not to let your puppy roam free in the house when you aren’t actively supervising, especially if they haven’t pottied in a while. They should be confined by a playpen, crate, or tether when you are not actively playing with or training them to avoid accidents. It helps them learn to hold it longer because they shouldn’t want to potty where they rest. Although if you wait too long, your puppy may still potty in the confinement area, so pay attention! Set the alarm on your phone for every hour if needed.
I recently kept a potty log sheet for an 11-week-old puppy that stayed at my house for two days. I took her outside fourteen times in one day in the muggy rain! But I’ll tell you; she didn’t have one accident in the house, and each time she went outside, I rewarded her for pottying in the right place with either praise, yard play, or a treat.
The point is that when your pup is young, you should expect to take them out about every hour until they develop the ability to hold it longer. And the more active your puppy is, the more frequently they will need to go, sometimes even every 30-45 minutes. And yes, it is a royal pain in the bum! But it’s normal.
Red Flags To Watch For!
If you see your puppy peeing every 15-20 minutes or going multiple times in one trip outside, those are red flags for a urine infection; you should contact your vet for a urine test.
Several puppies came to me for training with unidentified urine infections that I found by keeping my potty log! Data for the win!
Another housetraining tip is to designate a “potty zone” in the yard.
DO NOT let them walk you around the yard! When it’s time to go out, walk your puppy to the potty zone and stand in one place for up to 5 minutes, be boring. If your puppy urinates or defecates within 5 minutes, PRAISE them and then drop the leash for playtime (if you have a fenced yard) or walk them around the yard as a reward. But they must potty before the fun begins!
If your puppy does not potty within 5 minutes, bring them back inside and put them in the crate for about 20 minutes. Then try the whole thing again. Repeat if necessary. Your puppy will learn quickly that to play and have fun, they need to potty when given a chance. And don’t forget, there is HELP out there.
Please shoot us a message on how we can get your puppy on a housetraining schedule that works. Contact Now >>
How to Choose a Dog Trainer in Vero Beach
When choosing a trainer, it’s important to ask about their training methods, experience, and credentials. Look for someone who uses positive reinforcement techniques and has a good reputation in the community. You can also ask for recommendations from other dog owners in the area. Good luck with your puppy training!