Toilet Training your Puppy
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Back to Pet ArticlesBy J. E. Davidson
House breaking a new puppy can be a frustrating experience for the dog owner, but it doesn’t have to be if you understand the basic nature of puppies and are patient and consistent. Too many dogs end up in shelters because they are poorly house trained and the owner believes they have a “dirty dog” who just refuses to be house trained. It is true that some breeds are harder to house train than others, but all dogs can be trained given the proper amount of time and owner effort.
When Spike soils your carpet he is not a “bad puppy.” Dogs are naturally clean animals that will not eliminate in the area where they eat, sleep, or play if they have a choice. Giving your puppy the run of the house before he is house trained is just asking for trouble. Keep your puppy in a confined area when you are not with him. The area should be just big enough for his bed and food bowls. You should place some newspaper or a piddle pad at one end of the small area.
Many dog owners will keep the puppy crated during the house breaking period. The crate should be small enough that the puppy does not have much extra room, just enough for sleeping and eating. Crates also serve an additional purpose: they give your dog a “den” where he can feel secure. After the house breaking is completed, you may find that he will return there on his own for a nap or just to get away from the commotion in the house if he needs a break! The crate should never be used as punishment; it should be a place he will go willingly.
Puppies will want to eliminate shortly after waking up, eating, and playing. Always take your puppy out to the yard at these times and give him adequate time to do his business. You may wish to teach him to use a particular area of the yard so the cleanup is easier, you won’t have yellow spots all over the lawn, and the family won’t be stepping in a surprise when they know to avoid the dog’s area.
Your puppy will need to go out several times a day since he won’t be able to “hold it” very long. Carry him to the door; it can be a long walk for a puppy who needs to go! Then one day he will surprise you by going to the door by himself! At this point you may want to teach him some signal, such as barking or scratching, to let you know when he is at the door.
One drawback is that he may learn to manipulate you and go to the door when he just wants to go out for no reason. Some dog owners will put their dog on a schedule, and take him out at certain intervals. As the puppy grows and has more control over his bathroom habits you may find this method works for you, but if nobody happens to be home at the scheduled time you may find an accident waiting for you when you get home!
Some dog owners who live in apartments or who have toy breed dogs find that paper training is more convenient. Small dogs may be taught to use a large cat litter box lined with newspaper or a piddle pad. Commercial cat or dog litter can be used, but most dogs like to dig and all the litter may end up on the floor! Newspaper is the most economical choice if you take the daily paper anyway. Put the box in a spot that is private, but accessible to the puppy, preferably on a tile or linoleum floor for an easy cleanup if necessary.
Follow a procedure similar to training the dog to go outdoors, but place him in the litter box instead. If you use newspaper in his box be careful not to leave newspapers lying on the floor! The puppy may think that all newspapers are fair game. Clean the litter box regularly, and you may want to keep a diaper pail lined with a plastic bag for waste disposal.
A very tiny puppy who can’t get over the edge of the litter box may be trained on piddle pads on the floor. As he grows larger you may want to gradually get him accustomed to a litter box.
Puppies will usually signal that they need to go by circling and sniffing. Take him to his bathroom spot right away. If he begins to squat in the wrong place give a loud “NO” and clap your hands to startle him. When he goes where he is supposed to give him exuberant praise and a treat as a reward. Expect the occasional accident, and please do not stick his nose in the mess! Some dog owners swear by this method but it is unnecessary and humiliating to the dog. When you are potty training your child do you stick his nose in the dirty diaper? Puppies are just like little children. They want to please you and respond best to positive reinforcement.
Keep a pet odor deodorising product handy and always clean up any accidents right away. Leftover odors encourage the dog to come back to the spot; he’s only following his natural instincts. It’s up to you as the dog’s owner to help him learn to eliminate in the appropriate place. Remember that even well-trained, adult dogs may have accidents once in a while. It’s all part of owning a dog!
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