HOUSE TRAINING YOUR PUPPY: ‘DOOS’ AND DON’TS FOR NEW PET PARENTS
WED, 26 AUG 2015 BY LINDA ROSADO
Bringing home a warm, cuddly new playmate can be a big cause for excitement and joy in any household. A puppy can liven up any room it enters, and put a big smile on the faces of every member of your family.
DO FEED YOUR PUP AT REGULAR TIMES.
Establishing a routine is great for both pup and parent. When dogs are fed at the same time each day, they’re more likely to need to relieve themselves around the same time as well. This way, you can plan your walks accordingly and avoid accidents from happening often.
DON’T PUNISH YOUR DOG FOR MAKING A MISTAKE.
If you find your puppy left you a “present” inside the house (and it’s too late to interrupt and correct her), simply dispose of the pet waste and try to supervise your dog to avoid future accidents. Rubbing your dog’s nose in the spot, scolding or any other kind of punishment is extremely unlikely to communicate to your dog that she made a mistake; it’ll just make your pup afraid of you or hesitant to relieve herself in front of you.
DO PICK A BATHROOM SPOT OUTSIDE WITH EASY ACCESS TO A PET WASTE DISPOSAL STATION.
When taking your pup outside for a walk, try to pick a familiar spot for them to go to the bathroom each day. Encourage your dog to do her business with a phrase or word they’ll recognize, or grow to understand, like “go potty,” to remind her what she’s there to do. Don’t forget to be a good neighbor! Look for a DOGIPOT® Pet Station or dog waste receptacle nearby to make sure you have a good way to dispose of your dog’s doo.
DO KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE ON YOUR DOG WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
When it comes to bringing a puppy into the home, proper supervision is probably the most important part of keeping everyone healthy and happy during the transition period. Look out for signs that your dog needs to go to the bathroom, like barking, squatting, scratching at the door or restlessness. If you notice any of these, take her outside immediately and be sure to reward your pup with a treat following a job well done.
DO PICK UP YOUR PUP’S WATER DISH BEFORE BEDTIME.
A great tip to avoid potty wake up calls in the middle of the night is to put your pup’s water bowl out of reach about two hours before it’s time to go to sleep. Most puppies can sleep for about seven hours without having to go to the bathroom, but this will help reduce the likelihood of them experiencing discomfort through the night or having an accident while you sleep.
DON’T SCHEDULE WALKS TOO FAR APART.
Take your puppy for bathroom breaks as soon as she wakes up, after playing or eating, and at least every two hours throughout the day. This ensures your puppy is not struggling to hold it in while inside the house, and she will be less likely to make a mistake out of desperation.
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