potty training an indoor dog
Potty Training an Indoor Dog: Not a Small Feat
Mike JerryPotty training an indoor dog requires a good deal of patience. Before adopting a puppy, make sure you know what to expect. Dogs will have accidents and you can't get stressed out over it. Learning will come quickly to some dogs and slower to others. Set aside some vacation time to work on housebreaking your dog. Try to maintain a regular routine of feeding and sleeping so you can predict when he will need to relieve himself. When he has succeeded in going outside in the right spot, praise him and use positive reinforcement. When you aren't home, the use of a crate is the best method to train him. The process won't happen overnight, but in the end it will be worth it.
Puppy potty training is like the Dr. Jekyll to a cute little Mr. Hyde. It is typically hailed as the only bad part (besides the accidents that provoke it) of owning a puppy. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems. There are a few keys which can help to minimize the stress of potty training an indoor dog.
Before you bring a puppy home, commit to patience. Decide beforehand that you will not get angry after it goes potty on your new carpet for the twentieth time. Puppies are all different, just like people. Some take much longer to learn than others. Also, plan your puppy’s arrival around your schedule. Wait until you have about 10 days of vacation that you are willing to commit totally to training you new little friend.
Where to Start
The first thing is to realize that potty training an indoor dog may take more time than you think. Once you bring that cute little guy home you’ll realize that puppies relieve themselves a lot. In some cases as much as once an hour! Potty training an indoor dog requires one to be watchful. You must keep an eye on your puppy at all times while inside the house and recognize the warning signs. The most noticeable sign is the “pre-sniff”. If your puppy begins to sniff around the floor, particularly in areas where he has had an “accident” before, take it outside immediately! Usually, puppies need to potty relatively soon after eating or sleeping so it’s a good idea to take them out after these events. Try to take your puppy to the same spot every time.
Positive Reinforcement
Praise it for a job well done! Lavish your puppy with praise upon completion of every successful outside job. This is one of the most important steps to potty training an indoor dog. Small treats also work wonders in potting training as well. Avoid negative reinforcement, i.e. spanking and yelling, as this only causes the puppy confusion.
When You Are Away
Inevitably, your real life must begin again. You must go back to work and leave the puppy home alone. When this time comes, it is good to have a pet travel container or crate of sufficient size to put your puppy in while you’re gone. If you reward it with treats upon entering its crate, it will soon enjoy spending time there. This will help to establish the house as a “no-potty” zone.
Potting training an indoor dog can be a time consuming job. In the end, it is always worth it for all the years of companionship they provide. Don’t give up, they’ll eventually catch on!
Before you bring a puppy home, commit to patience. Decide beforehand that you will not get angry after it goes potty on your new carpet for the twentieth time. Puppies are all different, just like people. Some take much longer to learn than others. Also, plan your puppy’s arrival around your schedule. Wait until you have about 10 days of vacation that you are willing to commit totally to training you new little friend.
Where to Start
The first thing is to realize that potty training an indoor dog may take more time than you think. Once you bring that cute little guy home you’ll realize that puppies relieve themselves a lot. In some cases as much as once an hour! Potty training an indoor dog requires one to be watchful. You must keep an eye on your puppy at all times while inside the house and recognize the warning signs. The most noticeable sign is the “pre-sniff”. If your puppy begins to sniff around the floor, particularly in areas where he has had an “accident” before, take it outside immediately! Usually, puppies need to potty relatively soon after eating or sleeping so it’s a good idea to take them out after these events. Try to take your puppy to the same spot every time.
Positive Reinforcement
Praise it for a job well done! Lavish your puppy with praise upon completion of every successful outside job. This is one of the most important steps to potty training an indoor dog. Small treats also work wonders in potting training as well. Avoid negative reinforcement, i.e. spanking and yelling, as this only causes the puppy confusion.
When You Are Away
Inevitably, your real life must begin again. You must go back to work and leave the puppy home alone. When this time comes, it is good to have a pet travel container or crate of sufficient size to put your puppy in while you’re gone. If you reward it with treats upon entering its crate, it will soon enjoy spending time there. This will help to establish the house as a “no-potty” zone.
Potting training an indoor dog can be a time consuming job. In the end, it is always worth it for all the years of companionship they provide. Don’t give up, they’ll eventually catch on!
