How to start toilet training your puppy

When you bring home a new puppy for the first time you need to start teaching him to go outside in your garden or back yard to relieve himself.

It is all down to communication; while you are first training a puppy do not have too many high expectations. Your expectations of your puppy should be at the same level that you have of a new born baby.

It takes patience and a little time before your puppy realises what you want him to do, any accidents must not result in you shouting, smacking or rubbing your pet’s nose into his faeces; after all your mother didn’t do that to you when you were a baby!

The procedure is simple; it is down to timing and keeping a watchful eye on your puppy. Each time your puppy goes to the toilet you have to praise him in a light encouraging tone of voice, he will look forward to your praise and try to please you.

Toilet train a puppy
Toilet train a puppy

When your new pal has eaten his meal he will need to go out to relieve himself, it is best you take him to a part of the garden where you have allocated him a toileting space, praise him when he actually goes and after he has finished.

However, if you prefer to wait until he has had all his injections then use paper or puppy pads situated conveniently near the back door so that he will associate the door with going to the toilet.

Do not put puppy pads all over the house, although at night time you can place one in the bottom of his dog crate or dog bed.

If you or your family are at home during the day, each person should keep to the same routine. Your puppy will be confused if everyone expects him to follow a different routine.

One of the easiest ways to tempt your puppy is with the use of dog treats, treats can be kept in a small bag near the back door. When he has relieved himself on the paper or asked to go out by heading off towards the door then praise, and a treat, is his reward.

However, if you are starting off his toilet training for the very first time, taking him out at key times during the day will help him to know what you are asking of him. These times can be when he wakes up, after playing with him, after his meals and last thing at night.

A puppy up to the age of 12 weeks may need to be taken out every hour to get him into a routine, as he gets older he will be able to hold himself for a longer period. When your puppy reaches the age of six to nine months he should be able to hold himself in long enough to last through the night, although there may be a few accidents at certain times.

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