How to Potty Train a Dog or a Puppy
The best thing that a dog or a puppy owner can do when in the process of potty training, is to set a prefixed time when you and the dog will know it is time to go out for bathroom functions. By having a set time, you are lowering the risk of having an accident inside of the home. You want to make sure that you are always doing your best to set your dog or puppy up for success.
The common rule is that you add an hour for each month that passes to how long the puppy can go outside. Therefore, a three month old puppy should be kept waiting for three hours before he or she is let out to do so. Although you do not have to wait that long, you may want to skim it down to two hours if need be, but never go over.
Like having a potty schedule, you should also have a scheduled time for meals as well. This helps in controlling bathroom functions even more since you are in control of the substance, which will later become the dogs waste. After the dog has eaten the meal, it is then time to take it out for a walk to do its business. If however you own a smaller dog like those of the toy breed, you should ask the vet if the little one would actually need food all day.
Another great idea that will aid you in potty training a puppy is allowing it to drink water at allotted times. If it has free access to the water bowel, it might over drink any chance it gets, which will in turn lead to potty accidents in the home. You should never give you dog water right before its bedtime. This helps cut out the risk of having a nighttime accident. However, some puppies will need to go during the night anyway regardless if they had water right before or not.
When the dog wakes up from sleep is a great time to take it outside to go to the bathroom. It will further help teach the dog if you take it to the same spot, during the same times to do its business. Having a specific command word to denote the idea of potty to the dog is another awesome way to help keep the home clean of accidents. This will help the dog or puppy recognize even more so that it is time to go outside.
Also, always be sure to give the dog or puppy you own its due praise for doing something right. Anytime he or she goes outside to the bathroom and waits patiently, they should be rewarded with something like a treat, a toy or positive affection.
Even though you might at first feel that rewards are only for successful trips, remember, just the fact that your dog went outside to try – that is a success! Just be patient and keep up the good work with the training and your dog will be potty trained in no time at all!