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When You’ve Got To Go, You’ve Got To Go – Toilet Training For Your Pup

Puppy Visits

Unless you are very lucky, it is unlikely that your pup is fully toilet trained when you first get him/her home, so setting up a good regime from the outset will pay dividends.

If you have another dog at home to show your pup the ropes, then toilet training will happen much quicker as the new pup will soon find the area that has been established by the other dog and will quickly follow the toilet signposts.

If you don’t have another doggie at home to help out then the aim will be; not so much as to forbid the use of one area but to encourage the use of another more appropriate area. Here are a few tips that may help.

DO THIS:

Firstly, decide on an area where you want your pup to toilet Set up a regime where you take your pup out to this chosen place; First thing In The Morning, After Feeding, After Naps, In between Meals and Last Thing At Night – always use this area so that they can recognise their own scent.

Make sure that you keep to regular feeding times to get your pup into a routine As soon as your pup has eaten it will need to toilet shortly afterwards, so carry it outside and get it to sit in the “chosen” area

– don’t worry if your pup doesn’t “get it” right away.  It’s ok if your pup plays about at first, it will soon do it’s duty so be patient.

The moment your pup starts to go, start praising by making lots of “Good Dog/ Good Baby” type comments in an excited and slightly high tone, this is the signal that tells your pup he/she is doing the right thing.

Reinforce these desired actions each time because your pup may occasionally forget – it’s an exciting world with lots to learn!

Limit your pups access to just one or two areas where you can keep an eye on them Crate your pup when you can’t give them supervision – they are less likely to toilet in an area where they sleep or feed.

Ensure you take your pup out regularly

Stay consistent

If your pup has an “accident” indoors always use a specialised cleaning product to clean the area thoroughly as any lingering smell may draw your pup back time and again.

DON’T DO THIS:

Never rub your pup’s nose in any mess – it’s unlikely that your pup will connect the crime with the punishment and instead your pup will become frightened – this will then lead to serious toilet training problems.

Never Ever shout at or punish your pup if it has had an accident.  If you discover a mess it is too late to rectify the situation so say nothing – it may make you feel better to get the frustration out of your system but it will only serve to confuse and frighten the pup and set up problems with toilet training.

Don’t wait for your pup to signal that he/she needs the toilet, most pups don’t learn to signal in this way until they learn to “hold” – much like you when you went from nappies to potty to using the big toilet.

Don’t put papers down in the hope that your pup will use these instead of your floors – this will only send the message to your pup that its ok to do it on the papers, and may make it impossible to break the association.

Don’t leave your pup for hours on end and then blame it if it makes a mess.

Don’t use bleach to clean up after your pup – it’s always best to use specialised cleaning products available at your local pet store.

ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR PUP IS A BABY – HANDLE WITH CARE AND LOVE, THERE IS NO PLACE FOR ANYTHING LESS!!

Don’t forget, Scamps & Champs can help with puppy visits to assist with toilet training when you go back to work. We come in, let the pup into the garden, feed the pup, clean up any accidents, refresh water and have some play/training/cuddle time before we leave. Contact your local branch for details.

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