Why is everyone talking about the importance of dog training? Well, if you’ve ever had a dog or if you own a dog now, you know how important it is to housebreak your puppy. When your dog is properly housebroken, his house stays much cleaner and he will have fewer and fewer things to get upset about. It is not pleasant to smell the urine or feces of dogs, especially when they are inside the house. Educate your dog early in his training and you’ll be glad you did.
If you have a dog who seems to think the world is his own personal toilet, you better start training him, and fast. It’s usually easier for dog owners to teach their dogs proper potty manners if they’re still puppies, but no matter how old your dog is, if he’s not potty trained, he should do it. He will most likely have a harder time teaching his older dogs new tricks (to the bathroom), but keep it up and you’ll soon see some results, no matter how long it takes.
You also need a considerable amount of patience and understanding when it comes to puppies. Very young puppies, like babies, typically don’t have full control of their bladders yet, so it’s your job to keep your pox off the couch or carpet if you don’t want to keep cleaning up every time your adorable canine does a Boo Boo. For easier cleanup, you can keep your pup in rooms with tile or another type of washable floor. You can expect your puppies to have a few “accidents” during the first few months, so be very patient and understanding. When you pee and poop where you shouldn’t, clean up the mess quietly. Punishing your puppy every time he poops or urinates will give him the impression that the activity is punishable and equate it with something painful or unpleasant. On the other hand, if he does his thing in the right place, praise him in a cheerful voice, or better yet, reward him with a treat.
You can help your puppy get used to going to the bathroom at a certain time of day by maintaining a regular training schedule. You can take it out right after she eats her breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or right after her nap. You can also use this time to do some brisk walking, that way both you and your dog can get a little exercise at the same time.
One important thing to remember when it comes to potty training your puppy is IN and OUT. Puppies usually urinate or defecate within 15 minutes of drinking water or eating, so you already have a pretty good idea of when to take your puppy to a place where he can relieve himself properly. Fortunately, dogs send unmistakable signals when they’re about to urinate, like circling in one spot over and over while sniffing or arching their backs. When you see these signs, pick it up and take it out. When he is potty training outside, it is best to choose a particular landmark, preferably a tree, where he can freely do his job. That way he’ll get used to the idea that the tree is where he’s supposed to do this, and once he gets used to this, making him leave every time you take him to the tree will be a piece of cake.
