House Training A Puppy

Getting a new puppy is an exciting time in the family. House training a puppy should be one of the first things you should start with as far as any training is concerned. It's actually easy to get it right.

Generally, it's always a good idea to start any kind of training when it's still a puppy. This is the time they begin to form habits that will last its lifetime.

Depending on you and your pet, house training a puppy could take several weeks. You need to be patient and consistent. Don't physically punish your puppy for mistakes. They're just babies and don't get it yet... but they will.

Important Basics Of House Training

Never punish/scold your puppy if you don't catch it in the act. It won't understand and it will never make the connection. At the same time, if it does a good job, praise immediately!

Puppies and dogs love to please us, so, if they were good, immediate praise lets them make the connection easily. This helps them learn faster and cuts down on your training time, otherwise it may take longer.

Training Indoors

You can use old newspapers in a specific area to encourage them to go only there, or you could get specially treated pads that will encourage them to go.

These pads have a special scent. You can help the process too. If you see them sniffing about (or circling), pick them up and encourage them to go. When they do, praise them with enthusiasm. They'll eventually get the idea.

Using A Crate

Crate training is a very popular method of house training a puppy. It teaches your puppy self-control, a very important lesson. A puppy generally won't make a mess in its place of rest.

Before you place puppy in the crate and after you let it out, try to take it outside. Try to be around initially to supervise. You want to keep them safe and you can also see if they are getting used to it.

Never feed your puppy and put him/her in the crate and leave. Feed at least a good couple of hours before you're going to leave. This gives it a chance to do its business before you go. Yes, you will have to make sacrifices too.

Use Specific Verbal Cues

Try to use certain verbal cues and be consistent. It doesn't matter what you use, but always use it thereafter. You can say "outside" or "go poo," but be certain to repeat it always so that your puppy will eventually understand.

Be prepared that mistakes will happen. You need to accept this and not take it out on the puppy. Until they learn, they won't know any better. Give them a chance, stay calm, patient and focused. Your puppy will eventually make you proud!

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