DOG BLOG – WITH CLARE BOYLE
I have found in the past few weeks that I have been increasingly asked about toilet training!
Not an easy task to master but if you follow simple steps, it can be achieved. There are many products on the market designed with this problem in mind but although their intentions are good, not all work unfortunately so we want to solve this problem without fuss and without too much expense with the added bonus of it being quick and proven!
Where do we start?
First of all invest in a training crate which can be purchased from any reputable pet shop. Make a comfortable bed using washable blankets and place some durable chewy toys in for amusement. DONT LEAVE WATER OR FOOD IN THE CRATE.
To ensure a happy household, follow the easy steps below to house train your dog.
1.First thing when you get up in the morning, take the puppy out to the specific spot you wish to designate as the toilet area.
2.Bring the dog in and feed breakfast. Leave food down for 15 minutes. If the dog doesn’t eat or finish it, pick it up and put it away.
3.Take the puppy out immediately it has finished or after the 15 minutes to the toilet area and wait for about 10 minutes and (importantly) praise the puppy for being in the place which will encourage the puppy to use the area.
4.Bring the puppy in house for “play time” or run around and “house” time.
5.Around mid morning, put the puppy into the cage for a midmorning nap. (Remember puppies need a LOT of sleep)
6.As soon as the puppy wakes up, take the puppy out immediately to the toilet area and wait till the puppy does its business. Once again, praise the dog thoroughly!
7.Feed the puppy lunchtime meal and once again, allow 15 minutes to eat and then either pick up remaining food or empty bowl and take the puppy straight out to toilet area immediately and wait till puppy does its business. Praise and if the weather is good, allow the puppy time to play outside and investigate.
8.After a period of time outside, bring the puppy in and put into the crate for an afternoon nap.
9.When the puppy wakes up, take outside immediately to the toilet area and wait till puppy has done its business and bring it inside.
- Use this period of time to either play or groom your puppy to get the bond of trust needed with puppies. Quiet play or peaceful stroking.
- Feed the puppy its evening meal and then take it immediately outside to the toilet area and wait till it has done its business and praise the puppy immediately.
- Use the time following this to allow the puppy to play in or outside or just investigating. Should the puppy fall asleep, make sure that as soon as he wakes up, you take the puppy to the toilet area immediately!!
- Just before you finish for the night, take the puppy outside to the toilet area for a final time.
Remember, after each meal, every time he wakes up take the puppy out to the toilet area and remember to praise after each meal. Also important to remember when playing with the puppy, if it gets very excited and enjoys the playing, once you stop, the puppy will need to out to the toilet area as young pups can’t control their bladders after excitement until they reach around 16 – 20 weeks.
The puppy may cry and howl the first night or two in the crate, but do not give in and go down and see the puppy, just put some music on and leave it alone.
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