Training Tips and Tricks: Potty Training
Have you hit a plateau with potty training or need help with your new PUP? Potty training your new family member can be one of the most stressful parts of your day! Here are few tips to set you and your pup up for success:
Consistency: Make sure to keep your pup on a schedule! That means feeding them, giving them water and taking them outside at the same time every day. Dogs are creatures of habit and they need consistency to be successful with their potty training. Some examples of consistency would be taking your pup out:
- First thing when they wake up
- Last thing before bed
- After playing indoors
- After spending time in a crate
- After playing with a toy
- After eating
- After drinking water
- Any activity change
Supervision: If you can’t watch your pup, put them somewhere safe, where they are less likely to have an accident. This safe place could be their crate or playpen, as dogs usually do not want to potty where they sleep or eat.
Timing: When your pup potties in the correct spot, like outside or on a potty pad, you should reward them right away with a special treat. They will start holding their bladder to get that special treat that they get when they go in the right spot.
If they do have an accident, do not punish them. Punishment only teaches them to hide next time they need to potty since they get in trouble for it when you’re around! Be patient, and give your pup time to adjust. After all, you wouldn’t expect a human child to be potty trained in just a few days!