Potty training a dog can be difficult, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your pet. Accidents and messes not only make your home smell awful, but they can also lead to some major health problems. If you want to teach your pup how to use the bathroom outside, here are some tips on how to potty train your dog.
Why is potty training important for your dog?
Potty training is an important part of how you raise your dog. It can help you build a stronger relationship with them, and it will also make their life easier.
For example, if your dog isn’t potty trained, they may end up urinating immediately after eating or defecating in the house when you’re not around to supervise them. This can be very upsetting and smelly—not to mention expensive if they damage any flooring or furniture.
Potty training your dog also helps them feel more confident and secure in their surroundings. This will make them happier overall, so they’ll be more likely to act out less often.
The right time to start potty training
It’s best to start potty training during the puppy’s third to fourth month. We recommend starting potty training a puppy at 12-weeks. At this age, puppies are very curious and open to learning anything.
Finding the right potty spot
One of the most important things you can do is find a good potty spot for your pup. Whether you choose to use a designated area outside or inside, it’s important that they feel comfortable and can easily get to their designated spot.
If you choose to set up an indoor potty spot, it should be in a part of your home where your pup spends most of their time. For example, if they spend their time in the living room, then that would be a logical place for them to go.
However, if you’re looking at setting up an outdoor potty spot for your dog, make sure it’s close enough to the house. You don’t want them to have far to go when nature calls!
Make sure your pup is has the right tools for potty training
The first thing you’ll need is a dog potty. This can be as simple as a small plastic tub, or it could be any container with high enough sides to prevent the pup from jumping out.
You’ll also need some potty pads, which can be used instead of a container and will help keep the area clean and dry. Pee pads are great for this because they’re highly absorbent and won’t leak through your flooring or carpets.
In order to make your pup want to go outside, you’ll need to take them outside every hour. They may not go each time, but they will quickly learn their new bathroom habits.
When your pup does go outside, reward them with praise and give them a treat after they finish their business. If they refuse to go outside or do it in your home, try taking them on a walk or playing fetch with them before going back inside.
What’s a normal poop?
The first step of potty training is understanding what a normal poop should look like. How do you know when your pup has had a successful bowel movement? Here are some telltale signs:
– Your dog’s feces will be in a form of a soft, dark and long cylinder
– The size and shape of the poop will depend on the size of your dog
– You’ll notice no small pieces or clumps scattered around
– The stool will have an unpleasant smell
How to reward your pup for going outside
There are many ways to reward your dog for going potty outside.
You can use high-value treats, like bacon, chicken, or cheese. If you don’t want to give your pup these kinds of treats all the time, you could also give them a favorite toy when they go to the right place.
What if your pup goes in the wrong place? You should never punish your dog after an accident. Instead, it’s important to clean up and make sure that they won’t want to go to that area again in the future.
If you’re wondering how to potty train a dog, these tips should help! Use these strategies when teaching your pup how to use their bathroom outside and soon enough, there will be no more accidents.
When should you give up on potty training?
If your dog is making little to no progress after six weeks, it’s time to take a step back.
There are some dogs that will never be potty trained, but there are other reasons that your pup might not learn. For example, if you have an older dog who has chronic health problems, they may not hold their bowel movements for long periods of time.
If your dog can’t hold their bladder or bowel movements for over four hours, it may be difficult to potty train them. If this is the case, you should work with your vet to see what can help control the issue.
Once you’ve determined the root of the problem and given it enough time, if your pup still isn’t showing any signs of progress, then you should consider giving up on potty training them.
How Long Does Dog Potty Training Take?
The time potty training takes varies from dog to dog. Some dogs may only take a few days to become fully trained, while others could take up to a month or more. You’ll know when your pup is ready because he will have accidents less often throughout the day.
In order to potty train your dog in a timely manner, feed him a meal about two hours before he needs to go outside, so he doesn’t have an accident in the house. If you have a puppy, they can’t tell when they need to go outside and it’s important that they receive frequent feedings so they don’t end up with an accident in the house.
If you’re finding that your pup isn’t going outside as often, increase his feedings or give him more water before bedtime. Once your pup has been potty trained for about a week or two, gradually decrease his feedings until he’s only eating once a day.
It’s recommended that you bring your dog out for three walks per day during potty training until he has all-day bladder control, but keep in mind that every pup is different and some might only need one walk per day during this process.
Conclusion
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably just started potty training your pup and you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to make the process easier for you and your pup.
The first step is to find the right potty spot for your pup. You can use an area rug, newspapers, or a potty pad. Some people prefer to use pee pads instead of newspapers so their pups can feel the ground beneath their paws.
Next, make sure that your pup has the right tools for potty training. This includes pee pads, newspapers, and a leash.
Pee pads are great because they’re easy to clean up and your pup can feel the ground beneath his paws. Newspapers are good if you don’t mind picking up after your pup. A leash can be useful if your pup is reluctant to go outside or if you want to help him find the right spot.
It’s normal for pups to take 1-3 weeks to learn how to go outside properly. But if your pup is still having accidents inside after that time period, it might be time to give up on potty training for right.