Tips on House Training Your Puppy

House Training Your Puppy is A Lot Easier and Simpler Than You Think

I still remember first bringing Kenzie and Shelby home. They were scrawny little pups running amok in my house. Kenzie could barely walk a few steps without tripping over her long legs and large paws. Shelby would curl in this little fur ball to sleep. My husband and I laughed for hours watching them… until they urinated on my cream colored carpet.

Can You House Train Your Puppy in 24 hours?

House training a new puppy is often a topic that gives dog owners the shivers. Many find it migraine inducing but Tracie Hotchner, Dog expert explains in the video posted here that you CAN house train a puppy in 24 hours and that it’s you that needs training.

Consistency is Key

Like babies, puppy’s have tiny bladders. So it’s up to you to make sure that he is going often enough so that he won’t relieve himself on your kitchen floor.

Tracie suggests bringing your pup out before and after all activities. Is your pup napping? Take him to the desired spot (wee wee pad or outdoors) as soon as he wakes to let him go. While there, try repeating the same phrase, “Hurry Up, Hurry Up…” (or something else that works for you – a key phrase) so he knows to get to business. Once he’s finished, play for a little while, and then take him back to the same spot. Repeat your phrase and after he goes again, take him into the crate for a rest.

The main ingredient to this process is your consistency.

Like any other kind of training, house breaking a puppy is more dependent on you. Repeat your actions over and over again, remain consistent and be patient to get the best results.

Here are some other tips for housetraining your pup:

Make sure your pup goes out first thing in the morning, last thing before you go to bed, after a meal, after drinking water and after playtime.

If you are home during the day, set a timer for 30 minutes and take the dog out whenever the bell rings. As he ages, you can increase the time to train him to wait longer periods between potty breaks.

Read his body language. If your dog is circling or sniffing, run to the door. Grab him and tuck his tail under until you put him down again at the designated spot

When you can’t attend to your puppy, place him in a crate or an outdoor pen with some toys. (Take him for a pee first). The crate will be their space and they will not defecate in their bed. Don’t leave him in there too long though, remember his bladder is tiny!

Last meal should be an hour or so before bedtime. Make sure he goes before you go to sleep for the night and do not let the pup roam free all night. That is simply an invitation for destruction! They should be confined to a space in the house or crated.

NEVER yell or put his nose in his mistakes. Babies don’t get potty trained until they are 2-3 and while your puppy will be house trained well before then, remember that they are still just a puppy; very young. They simply don’t know any better yet. If they have an accident, take the pup outside or to where you wish for him to do his business.
Make sure you thoroughly clean areas where your dog has done the deed. Get a cleaner that is specifically made for cleaning pet odors and such. If they smell it, chances are they will continue to defecate in that area.