Potty Training
Positive reinforcement by way of praise and treats is the quickest way to get your dog to do what you want him to do. Potty-training your puppy or dog will probably be the first teaching you will want, and need, to take care of before moving on to other training lessons. Doing it the right way the first time can be vital to a great experience for both you and your new pet.
First, you will need to establish a routine. Teach your puppy/dog that he needs to potty outside the first thing in the morning, before bedtime, and at other times during the day. In the beginning, take your puppy/dog outside every couple of hours or so for bladder relief. Pick out a bathroom spot outside and always take your puppy/dog to that spot. Choose a word or words to use, like “go potty,” and say that when you put your puppy/dog in the outside bathroom place.
Always reward him immediately after he goes to potty. Don’t wait to reward him until after you’ve gone back in the house. Reward him with praise, a treat, a walk, or some playtime with you and a ball. Also, make sure he has completely finished going to the potty before you praise and reward him. If you were to distract him then he might forget to completely finish until he is back inside the house.
Keeping feeding times on a consistent schedule should coincide with consistent elimination times. Removing the water dish at nighttime should reduce the chances of the puppy/dog having a potty accident during the night. Don’t give your puppy/dog the idea that it is time to play if he wakes you up at night because he needs to go outside to potty. Simply take him outside, watch while he does potty, reward him, and get back inside the house and to bed as quickly as possible.
During the day when your puppy/dog is in the house you will need to watch for signs that he might need to go to the potty. Some signs are barking or scratching at the door, restlessness, turning around in circles, or squatting. If you see any of these signs, quickly take your puppy/dog outside to the bathroom spot, say your training words “go potty” (or whatever you have chosen), and wait for your puppy/dog to finish. After he is finished, praise and reward him. Make a big deal out of his accomplishment.
If your puppy/dog starts to potty in the house, interrupt him by saying “outside” and immediately take him to his outdoor bathroom place. Once he is finished, you should praise him and reward him with a treat just as you would if he had not started doing potty in the house. This will help him learn that he must go “outside” to “go potty.” Reinforcing the key words and phrases, along with the praises and rewards, will enable your puppy/dog to remember what to do and what not to do as far as “potty” is concerned.
Tags: dog training, puppy training