How to Potty Train a Puppy

Welcoming a puppy in your life is a significant decision with wonderful benefits. They are beautiful to look at, and feel you with so much joy.  That is not to say puppies do not come with its challenges. Most pet owners find it difficult to train a puppy due to the time and repetition involved during potty training. However, for all the effort you put in, you will be rewarded a trained puppy who knows spot pee and poop.

1. Commence Early

It is recommended puppy training starts as early as 3-4 months at this age; the puppy is able to control his/her bladder and bowel. Early potty training encourages and enables your puppy to be ready for future training e.g. Obedience training like sitting and standing command, more importantly collar training; the puppy will pick up these trainings fairly quickly.

2. Decide the Method of Potty Training

There are two options in my opinion of potty training. You will train your dog to either: 

• Relieve themselves inside of the house
• Relieve themselves outside the house

Inside of the house 

We will recommend this option if you do not have a garden or outside space. The option you choose is entirely up to you to potty train. Firstly, you decide an area within the house you prefer the puppy to pee or poop. Get a puppy training pad and cover the pad in pee. Most Nigerian’s do not see the need or benefit of Puppy training pad. The training pad has its advantages and disadvantages as stated below.

Advantages

•           They are comfortable for dogs

•           They make cleanup easy

•           They are convenient for potty training

•           They are good options for dogs that can’t go outside for health reasons

Disadvantages

The most-cited problem with using potty pads is that dogs can get used to them. In other words, they might think it’s acceptable to go into the house, and they are less likely to fully potty train.

We will recommend Fitsari-Mmamiri-Ito training Pads & Beaphar Training Pads they both can absorb pee more and will not irritate the puppy and it has been scientifically treated to attract puppies when nature calls.

Ensure the puppy bed is placed near the area so the puppy can start to identify as their terrain. Once the pad is soiled, endeavor to remove and replace it with a new pad.

You can also decide to potty train your puppy inside a crate which most people prefer as the mess is isolated to a spot. You will need to have a crate, and your puppy should feel safe and comfortable eating and sleeping inside the crate before a potty training can take place inside a crate.

Outside of the house

We recommend this option for those who have a garden or spacious compound to go for this option, because it would save you resource and time. When you wake up in the morning, take your puppy outside to create a routine, also, when it has finished eating and drinking water or after active activities. It is advisable to take note of the times your puppy tends to pee and poop. It will aid you to understand your puppy’s behaviors when it pees and poops.

You can also train your puppy by initiating the time they pee and poop. This is interesting but it takes time for you to accomplish this goal. It would be very useful if the puppy can learn this. You will need to choose a phrase that is simple and short for the puppy grab quickly. Like “potty time”, “do the john” or “toilet”. Each time you take your dog out to pee or poop, calmly say the phrase and reward your puppy and keep this up. As weeks and months go by the puppy will pee and poop on your command.

3. Always Use Positive Reinforcement

If your puppy accidentally pees in an undesignated area, this can be frustrating. Try to refrain from scolding your puppy, rather, take their toy and reduce their activities for a few hours. Do not get physical with the puppy or raise your voice as it will cause the puppy stress and affect the psychic development of the puppy. One of the options to potty train a puppy is to use positive reinforcement by rewarding the puppy with treat or patting the dog for a job well done. Try not to spoil your puppy by rewarding treat when not deserved.