If you have ever brought a new puppy home from a shelter or breeder, you know how essential it is to get that tiny ball of fur potty trained as quickly as possible. But potty training a puppy usually takes patience, consistency and – yes, indeed –time. The great news is that the more time you are willing to commit to the process at the beginning, the less time your puppy may take to learn his lessons well. Remember before you bring your puppy home, prepare well for the process, and you and your puppy will be on the road to a long, happy life together.

The Advantages of Crate Training
Many dog owners have become quite partial to crate training as a way of potty training a puppy, and with good reason. A crate can perform a multitude of functions with your little pup. First, it will offer a secure place for your dog to rest and sleep. Second, confining your pup to his crate while you are gone will make sure that your home will still be in one piece upon your return. Finally, using a crate for potty training your puppy will teach your dog to hold his urge to eliminate until he is in the proper place to do so. Most dogs will not eliminate in their crate because they doknow not to go to the bathroom in the same space that they sleep in.

Before placing your puppy in his crate for a period of time, always make sure that he has time outdoors to potty. When you let your dog out of his crate, you should consistently take him outdoors right away. A crate can be a valuable training aid when you are away from home, or if you are involved in an activity for a period of time that will keep you from watching your pup sufficiently. Remember that puppies should not be left in a crate all day, although they can sleep in one during the night. If you work all day, make every effort to come home for lunch to give your dog a break, or have someone else come by your home to do so.

Paper Training
Paper training does not mean using a rolled newspaper to swat your dog when he potties in the house. This is actually the most ineffective means of potty training a puppy that there is. Paper training actually refers to indoor puppy potty training, where you teach your dog to go to the bathroom on papers or training pads that you put on the floor for him. This type of potty training for puppies is generally best done when you can restrict your puppy to a single room in the house, like the kitchen. Whenever you see your dog start to nose around the floor like he is looking for a spot, take your puppy to the paper to potty. When he gets this process down, move the papers closer to the door. Soon your puppy will learn to go to the door when he needs to go to the bathroom.

Potty training your puppy may be challenging, but it is far from impossible. With a bit of patience and consistency, your puppy potty training will succeed much more quickly than you might think.

Learn more about house breaking your puppy
tips on housebreaking puppies
puppy housetraining
potty training for dogs
Follows the tips and advice and you’ll take the stress out of this very important task.

Filed under: Dog Training

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