How to Toilet Train a Puppy

 

How to Toilet Train a Puppy

Puppies will generally need to go to the toilet after they have eaten, or when they wake up. Owners should provide a place for the puppy to go, perhaps near its sleeping quarters in the laundry for example, with a good supply of newspapers.
Puppies prefer to go to the toilet on a porous surface like grass, timber (eg. decking), mats or soil, rather then tiles or linoleum. It is also best that food is not in the same room, if possible, or at least as far from the newspapers as possible.

The best way to housetrain your puppy is to place it in the room containing the newspaper, after it has been fed, and leave it there until it ‘goes’. It may also help to put some of his or her droppings on the newspaper.
Consistency is the key so if you use this method repeatedly, the puppy will soon catch on. Don’t forget to lavish praise upon the pup when it goes to the toilet in the right place. If the puppy has an ‘accident’ in the wrong place, the indiscretion should be ignored. Positive reinforcement and rewards work better.
If you wish to have your puppy go to the toilet outside, gradually start moving the newspaper closer to the door, and eventually outside. You’ll be able to stop using the newspaper once the puppy is going outside.
It is helpful to try and identify the times when your puppy might need to go. Usually after feeding or upon waking, bit also at times of exercise or excitement. If he or she needs to go you may notice them become restless, sniff the floor, move towards the door and perhaps whimper. Puppies don’t usually soil their beds.
This type of toilet training works best with young pups, but can be implemented with older dogs that were never housetrained. It may just take longer, so patience and consistency are important.
If your adult dog has only just started to soil the house, when it was once well trained, this could be indicative of a medical problem (eg, incontinence, disease), or a behavioural problem (eg. separation anxiety, new member of household introduced), so you should consult your veterinarian for advice.

Some Other Toilet Training Tips: Methods to Prevent Puppy Toilet 'Accidents' in the House

• Observe the puppy at all times when possible
• Reward correct use of the toilet area, rather than punishment
• Clean up accidents thoroughly to remove smells to discourage the pup from using the same area
• Feed a good quality diet (feeding a diet high in salt would make the pup need to urinate more due to excess drinking, and therefore make it harder for him or her to learn bladder control)
• Feeding fixed amounts at particular times of the day (feeding late at night will mean your pup will need to go to the toilet overnight)
• Exercise earlier in the day (if you walk the pup late at night, this will lead to more drinking and the pup will need to urinate overnight)
• When you’re out or unable to supervise (when you’re asleep), confine the pup to a small area (eg. Laundry room)

Once your pup is toilet trained, life will be much easier and more pleasant for the both of you!


from Suite101: How to Toilet Train A Puppy: Housebreaking Tips: A Guide to Housetraining Your Dog http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-toilet-train-your-puppy-a107542#ixzz1IwifwFSN