If you’ve never done potty training your dog before can be a daunting task, dog parents can tell you a lot they have learned from experience. In fact, dogs usually learn quickly, and as long as you follow some good advice, burglary may not be as hard as you think.
January is National Training Your Dog Month, and it’s a great time to learn more about training your puppy. Of course, our pet parents are eager to learn more about our dogs at any time of the year!
Here are ten things experienced dog parents can tell you about potty training.
You have to catch them in action
If you come home and find a mess, it’s no use yelling or punishing your dog. Puppies can understand that you’re frustrated, but they have a hard time connecting it to behaviors they don’t do anymore.
The best thing to do is to catch them in action and quickly take them outside. Then, they can understand that the act of entering the house can upset you.
Positive reinforcement goes a long way
When it comes to yelling and punishing, it’s not as effective as treating and praising you for doing the right thing.
When your dog goes out to do business, you really need to offer a lot of rewards. With positive reinforcement, your puppy will learn faster.
Dogs don’t really feel guilty, but they pretend to be good
Guilty dogs may be a trend on the internet, but dogs don’t feel the guilt they do as much as humans.
Sure, they flinch, avoid eye contact, and look sad, but they’re really more afraid of provoking a disappointing human reaction. It is wrong for a dog not to know that it is to go to the toilet in the house; They just understand that they will be rewarded for doing it outside.
So don’t shame your dog because it will only make them unhappy without really teaching them anything.
Drinking water before bed is not always a good idea
Dogs are a bit like human children, and drinking water before bed can mean an accident at night. If your dog can’t stay up late, maybe it’s time to put the water bowl aside before bed.
A last trip out can also reduce the risk of accidents at night.
What goes in must come out
You may already understand the idea, but when your dog eats or drinks, it has to come out from the other end. This means that your dog’s poop and urinate schedule depends heavily on when they eat.
Dog parents know they need to pay attention to mealtimes to know when they need to go out. Experienced dog parents can tell you exactly when their pup needs to go to the toilet after a meal.
Also, changes in dog food, especially food that eats people, can affect a puppy’s bedpanty schedule, so be careful when messing with their diet.
The weather doesn’t give any excuses
When a dog is leaving, a dog must go, and you need to mark with them during training.
It is important that you are outside with your pup, regardless of the weather, to recognize the work done well done during training.
Your dog may also be worried about going out in certain weather, but having you with them will go a long way in teaching your puppy’s potty needs to be done outdoors, rain or shine.
Consistency is key
Training is a process that requires consistency. Your puppy should know when to be outdoors during the day, and you shouldn’t skip praise and rewards for a job well done.
Dogs learn best when training becomes routine, so make sure you stick to it and don’t skip the day.
Dogs give you signs
Dog parents almost always know when their puppy needs business. That’s because they learned to read the signs their dogs give them.
These signs are sometimes individual for dogs. One of my dogs paced at the door when he had to go to the toilet, the other started wandering aimlessly, and the other jumped up and begged me directly, but I knew what each of them was trying to tell me from experience.
Look for these signs and learn what your dog is saying to you.
Accidents happen
Even well-trained dogs have accidents from time to time. The puppies are sick, or they are afraid, or they become anxious, and an accident occurs. It’s useless to feel upset about it, especially when your dog can’t control it.
Pay close attention to the behavior of puppies. If accidents become more frequent, even with training, it may be time to go to the vet to see if there is a problem. From urinary tract infections to diabetes to separation anxiety, anything can lead to accidents.
Dogs learn faster than children
Human children can still pee their pants at the age of two. Dogs learn to go to the toilet much faster than where children are, and it’s also easier to learn.
Any experienced dog parent will tell you that potty training is easier than it sounds, and that your puppy will quickly understand the rules.
So don’t be afraid. Be consistent, and your puppy will be out doing business all the time without you knowing it.