| Okay, you've brought home that precious, | | | | his "aim" will improve and you'll be able to reduce |
| oh-so-cute puppy…and now you've got to | | | | the papered area to maybe just a single sheet. |
| teach him how to live in your world…but | | | | Now what? |
| where's the training manual? | | | | Okay, you're beginning to know your pooch like |
| The bad news is, they don't come with | | | | the back of your hand, so when you see the |
| one…and house training puppies is work. | | | | signs that he has to go, put him on a leash and |
| But the good news is, training them is still fun and | | | | take him outside to the place you want him to |
| rewarding too!...so let's get started. | | | | use. Make this the same place every time; don't |
| To begin with, have the right expectations. | | | | switch it around on him. Be patient and when he |
| Your puppy simply won't be able to control | | | | finally "goes," make sure to give him a lot of |
| himself very well for 3 months or | | | | praise and strokes…you want him to |
| more…and it will be another 3 months or | | | | associate that praise with his actions so his little |
| more after that before he'll have full control of his | | | | doggie brain will remember "Go Outside = Good |
| bladder…so understand straight off that | | | | Stuff!" |
| you'll be working with him for that | | | | But what if he has an accident? |
| long…pace yourself. | | | | If he goes "where no dog has gone before," |
| Routine, Routine, Routine! | | | | immediately, make eye contact with him and |
| Your best partner in house training your puppy is | | | | correct him with a firm "No" then lead him to the |
| to set up and stick to a feeding and watering | | | | place you want him to use (either outside or his |
| schedule…feed and water him at the | | | | "papers"). |
| same times every day no exceptions…no | | | | But you must remember (and I can't emphasize |
| snacks in between; no special treats…in | | | | this enough) you can only do this if you catch him |
| this way your pup's body will automatically | | | | in the act…if it's any later, even just |
| respond to the schedule and become | | | | seconds later, your correction won't work, he |
| predictable…this will help you immensely | | | | won't make the connection you want…in |
| with your house training. | | | | fact, it will have a negative impact…so, if |
| Observation is the key. | | | | that's the case, you'll just have to be more |
| Now that he's on a schedule, you'll find out that | | | | vigilant and catch him the next time. |
| your little guy will need to "go" shortly after each | | | | But once the deed is done, clean up the mess |
| feeding session, shortly after each watering | | | | completely and remove the odor completely too, |
| session, and probably every 45 to 90 minutes in | | | | because it will be the smell that brings him back to |
| between each of those sessions…every | | | | that spot for a return visit. |
| day. Observe him closely and discover what his | | | | Last but not least. |
| body language is when he needs to relieve | | | | Keep in mind that this will take time…we're |
| himself. | | | | talking weeks here (I did say that house training |
| Don't leave him unattended if you can help it, but | | | | puppies was work didn't I?)...some dogs will be able |
| if you must leave him alone, confine him to a | | | | to control themselves sooner than others and |
| single (always the same) space. Make sure a large | | | | some will learn what you want from them sooner |
| part of that space is covered with newspapers | | | | than others. If you want to be successful in the |
| too (about 3 sheets thick). | | | | shortest amount of time, it's up to you to be |
| When he uses the papers, clean up the mess and | | | | persistent and consistent so your buddy has the |
| replace the papers…but place one of the | | | | best chance to learn. |
| soiled papers right in the middle of the new | | | | Want to build an Awesome Relationship with your |
| batch…this will help build the "here is where | | | | dog? |
| I go" idea in his brain. Over time (weeks not days) | | | | ...check this out on The-Dog-Zone.net. |