It’s a joyful time when you bring your new puppy home for you and your family. A new pet always brings new challenges, potty training being the biggest. How do you teach a puppy to pee outside? Some puppies learn quicker than others. Nevertheless, remember to be consistent and patient.
So, let’s consider how to potty train a puppy to go outside. Your new puppy must trust and respect you before you can teach him to obey your commands. Establishing a bond with your dog is essential for things to run smoothly.
Once your puppy has warmed up to you and your family, you must establish your expectations. If you want your puppy to spend all of his time outside, don’t let him explore your house by himself.
How To Potty Train A Puppy To Go Outside: Step-By-Step
Step 1: Establish a Routine
Puppies thrive on a regular schedule, which teaches them when to eat, play, and go potty. A puppy can control the need to relieve himself for one hour per month of age. For example, if your pup is three months old, he can control his bladder for about three hours.
Step 2: Know Your Puppy’s Cues
During potty training, you must watch your puppy at all times, so you will know when he needs to do his business. Look out for signs like whining, circling, barking, sniffing, and any sudden behavioural changes. When you see any of those indicators, go outside immediately.
Step 3: Interrupt Accidents
Accidents are to be expected when potty training your puppy. However, when you catch him in the act of defecating or urinating inside, you must say the word “no” or make a sudden noise, such as a clap. Then lead him outside.
Step 4: Determine A Potty Area
It helps to choose an exclusive area outside to take your puppy every time he needs to go. Make sure other dogs don’t visit the spot and that it’s easy to clean up afterward.
You should bring your puppy out on a leash when you’re teaching him to go in that specific location. You can keep a closer eye on him, so you’ll know when he’s done.
Step 5: Choose a Specific Word
Every time you bring your puppy outside to their area, use the word “go” or any other command, even a sound. This teaches the puppy to go to that particular location.
Make sure only to use that command when he needs to urinate or defecate to avoid confusion.
Step 6: Celebrate Success
Praise your puppy when he uses the appropriate location. Be consistent with this; your approval gives him the emotional incentive to go potty in the right place.
Step 7: Make Potty Time A Positive Experience
It helps to make potty time a rewarding and calm event. This encourages your puppy to wait patiently and look forward to going potty until you let him go.
You will notice that when your dog does his business, he is enjoying himself. You should never interrupt him when he relieves himself where he should, as this can create confusion.
Let him relax and loosen up. Always pick him up after he defecates. Feel free to give him a little treat afterward as an encouragement, though it can also be a distraction.
Step 8: Immediately Clean Up Any Accidents
When your dog accidentally goes indoors, you must clean the area thoroughly. This helps prevent the dog from wanting to go to the exact location again.
Use an enzyme cleaner, not one containing ammonia. This helps to remove the odour and the dog’s interest in that area. Urine smells like ammonia, so ammonia cleaners can attract dogs to leave their own scent.
Final Thoughts
When you begin training your puppy to go outdoors, there may not be much of a set routine. The early puppy stage comes with lots of challenges, and you will likely catch them going in inappropriate places.
In these circumstances, remain calm, firm, and consistent. Hold your ground, but don’t punish your dog for accidents, as this doesn’t help.
When you are outside with your puppy, don’t go back inside until he uses the bathroom, as this shows him you don’t mind where he relieves himself.
Keep a regular feeding schedule and organise potty trips around mealtimes. Schedules and established expectations are what your puppy needs to be more cooperative.
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