Effective Puppy Potty Training

by Steven Smithies
in Family / Pets (submitted 2009-09-30)

Puppy potty training must start out early. When the puppy starts to move around easily, you should start training your pet right away. This will keep cleaning the floor of doggie "dootie" to a minimum, which can become quite a frustrating ordeal for most new puppy owners.




If essential steps are not followed, your puppy potty training can become very lengthy and problematic. On the other hand, if done correctly and regularly, it is quite easy and rather effective.




There are several successful techniques that you can follow when doing puppy potty training for our puppies.




Crate Training - You can use the crate for easier training. If you are unable to closely monitor your pet during most of the training, the use of a crate would be the most practical method of training.




The puppy sees the crate as his den, and dogs have a natural instinct to not soiling the place where they sleep. Whatever method you decide to use, you must be consistent throughout the training. Always use the same command to send your puppy to the crate. To reinforce the good response from your pet don't forget to reward your puppy. Your puppy should also spend a sufficient amount of time outside of the crate to complete the puppy potty training.




Assigned Potty Spot - Again, you must be consistent throughout the training of your puppy. Having an assigned potty spot means that you take your puppy to the same spot each time you take him outside to potty. You should only allow your puppy about 10 minutes before taking him back inside. You should only allow playtime if your puppy went potty. This way your puppy will know that going outside means potty and not play.




Success Deserves Reward - When you are potty training your puppy, you are basically inducing the desired behavior by reinforcement. Whenever you give your puppy a reward for his proper behavior and response, he will start to associate potty training to good things thus reinforcing that proper puppy behavior.




Using a Leash - The leash is essential and a very important tool in your efforts to potty training your puppy. It is important to keep your puppy close while doing the training. Keep a firm grip on the leash so that you have the puppy near you at all times.




Practice Makes Permanent - You may have heard it as "Practice makes perfect", but if you are a realist, you know nothing is perfect. However, the more practice your puppy has with the potty training will make a permanent impression on him. Regular practice should include without fail, taking your puppy outside after eating and as soon as you let him out of his crate. He will soon associate these two events as his time to do what he needs to.




Don't Use a Potty Pad - Resorting to any tactics or techniques inside the house will only reinforce the behavior to your puppy that it is OK to potty inside the house.




Foresee Possible Accidents - Be prepared, accidents are bound to happen while potty training your puppy. Having the necessary items handy when for accidents happen. These items may include paper towels, enzymatic cleaners and odor neutralizers.
About the Author
Steven Smithies is A Web Content and Information Publisher, You will find his work on a variety of subjects all over the web.


Some of his latest work has been published on the website LargeOrthopedicDogBeds.com , where they help someone looking for Large Orthopedic Dog Beds make an informed decisions on what's best for their dog.