How to teach a puppy to relieve himself in the right place

To teach your puppy to relieve himself properly, you need to follow some basic steps that depend on repetition and patience. Here are some tips:

 

1. Fixed routine:

Set specific times to provide food and water, and take the puppy out to the same place after every meal or drink of water.

It is important to take the puppy out immediately after waking up from sleep, after playing or drinking, and also before bed.

 

2. Choose a specific place:

Choose a fixed place outside the house for the puppy to relieve himself. The puppy will learn through the smell that it is the right place.

 

3. Positive rewards:

When the puppy relieves himself in the right place, give him a reward such as a food he loves or words of encouragement. The reward helps him associate the correct behavior with getting something positive.

 

4. Use clear phrases:

Choose a simple word and repeat it every time you take him outside, such as "bathroom" or "pooter". The puppy will learn over time to associate the word with the action.

 

5. Pay attention to signals:

Watch the puppy to recognize signals that he needs to go to the bathroom, such as sniffing the ground or turning in place.

6. Deal with accidents calmly:

If any “accidents” happen inside the house, do not punish the puppy. Instead, clean the area thoroughly to remove the smell. Punishment may make him afraid of you or hide what he is doing.

7. Use a training crate:

Using a crate that is the right size can help organize his time and reduce “accidents” inside the house. Dogs usually avoid urinating in their sleeping areas, so a crate can be an effective training tool.

8. Patience and consistency:

Remember that potty training your puppy can take time, and don’t expect quick results. Patience and consistency are key.

By following these tips, over time, your puppy will begin to understand what is expected of him.

  Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting experience, but it does come with its challenges and difficulties, and one of the most important of these challenges is toilet training. Some puppies may pick up on this quickly, while others will take longer to learn. It is essential that you are patient, calm and consistent throughout the training period. The process of toilet training can be very simple if you are positive and follow the following guidelines.

Introduce your puppy to his new home and family members.

 Just like you might feel when you enter a new environment or meet new people, a new pet may feel a mixture of curiosity, excitement, or fear. This is the perfect time to lay the foundation for a strong, happy relationship with your puppy. It is very important to set expectations for your puppy from the start and stick to them, which will help him settle in and learn trust and respect.

Guide your puppy to the areas he is allowed to be in, and do not let him roam freely at first, especially if you do not want him to relieve himself in certain areas. For example, you can close off the upstairs or bedrooms if they are off-limits areas, and prevent him from exploring them.

Know your puppy’s needs and behaviors associated with mating. 

Research your dog’s breed characteristics, special needs, or any behaviors you may need to know and watch for. Your puppy’s bladder will be very small, which means he will need to urinate frequently, especially if he is a breed like a “mini Chihuahua.” Even well-trained dogs can sometimes urinate in inappropriate places.

While most dogs are very intelligent, they do not think in the same way as humans. It can be difficult to expect them to understand simple commands or to tell you when they need to urinate or defecate. For this reason, it is important to be committed to understanding how they communicate with you, and to learning to interpret and respond to the signals they give.

Monitor your puppy carefully.

 It is best to keep him in a place where you can monitor him constantly while he is potty training. This way, you will be able to spot early signs that he needs to go outside and prevent mistakes from happening. These signs include circling, digging, and sniffing. Other signs to watch for include whining, intense sniffing, barking, or any sudden change in behavior. When you notice any of these signs, take your dog outside immediately.

Dealing with inappropriate toileting requires quick action.

  If you catch your puppy urinating or defecating indoors, make a sudden noise, such as clapping or saying the word “no,” and then take him outside immediately. The goal is to get his attention without scaring him, so he knows that this behavior is unacceptable. Make sure to use the same word or sound each time to be consistent.

In the case of defecation, your puppy may not stop immediately because most puppies cannot control this, but you should follow the same procedure as part of the training process.

Avoid punishing your puppy for these mistakes at all, as he does not realize that he is doing something wrong. Do not force him to smell the waste or keep reminding him of what he did, as he will not understand and may become afraid of you. Punishment can confuse your puppy and make the problem worse, as he may start hiding to relieve himself in places that are difficult for you to reach, making matters more complicated.

Choose a designated toileting spot. 

It is best to designate a specific area outside the home and take your puppy there every time he needs to relieve himself. It is important to choose a spot that is not visited by other dogs, and that is easy to clean.

Your puppy will associate the smell of his urine with the spot, making him consider it his “bathroom.” Make sure the spot you choose is easy to access quickly, as you will be visiting it frequently during the training period.

Avoid areas that other dogs use to relieve themselves, especially in parks, until your puppy is fully vaccinated against diseases. It is a good idea to discuss this with your veterinarian.

Using a leash when taking your puppy outside can be helpful in training him to relieve himself in a specific area. It also helps you easily monitor him and make sure he has finished.

Choose a specific sound or word as your training command. 

You can use a word like “Come” or another command every time you take your puppy to the toilet spot. This will help him associate the command with the act of urinating or defecating in the designated spot. Over time, your puppy will begin to understand the command and what you expect him to do, making it easier for him to know when and where to relieve himself. Make sure to only use this command when you want him to relieve himself to avoid any confusion.

Praise your puppy when he is successful.

 Give him praise every time he relieves himself in the right place, and use a happy tone of voice to show him that he has pleased you. Continuing to do this will give him an emotional incentive to repeat the behavior and use the right place to relieve himself.

Make potty time a calming and rewarding experience that your puppy looks forward to. 

Your puppy should enjoy this time, which will encourage him to control himself and wait for your permission to go outside.

Going for a walk and calming down should be a fun experience for every dog. Don’t interrupt your puppy while he’s relieving himself in the appropriate place, but allow him to relax and calm down.

You can also offer your puppy a small treat afterwards as a reward to reinforce his behavior, but make sure that it’s not a distraction.

Clean up any accidental droppings immediately. 

It is important to clean the area thoroughly if your dog relieves himself indoors, as this will help prevent the dog from repeating the behavior in the same area.

Use an enzymatic cleaner instead of ammonia-based cleaners, as this will help remove the smell and make the area less attractive to your dog. Urine has a strong ammonia smell that can make your dog want to smell it and urinate on it again. Sometimes, training pads are sprayed with ammonia to encourage your dog to relieve himself on them.

You can also use white vinegar to neutralize the ammonia smell and make the area less attractive to your dog.