Potty Training Tips for Puppies
Let’s go over some general puppy tips. First up, let’s discuss potty training. This takes time. The general rule is you add up the number of months in age your dog is, then add 1. That’s how many hours your dog can hold their bladder to the max. You really want to cut that number in half to be safe. So for instance, if your dog is 4 months old, they can really hold their bladder for about 5 hours.
You want to make sure you're taking them out every 2.5 hours. The good news about this is that every month your dog ages, you can add about an hour to that time. Most dogs will not peer poop where they eat or sleep.
Preventing Accidents in the House
So if you've found a lot of accidents in the home, you want to first begin to reassociate that area with food and potentially where the dog sleeps. In terms of confinement, you really want to have a situation with the crate and a specific room that's a small area, close doors off, and you can use baby gates as well.
Take your puppy outside:
- After waking up
- Before going to bed for the night
- After eating or drinking
- After or during excitement or exuberant play
- If frightened or nervous
When taking them outside for potty, remain in a small area and encourage them to go. Once they do, lavishly praise them for that. A common mistake is to return too early inside the home and the puppy hasn't really learned yet to fully relieve their bladder. Of course when you bring the dog inside and let them off the leash, they'll go and sneak and pee or poop again in the home.
What to Do if Your Puppy Has an Accident
Do not correct your puppy for a mistake or an accident in the home. Puppies may not associate that correction with going inside, and they may become scared of getting grabbed or picked up. They then learn that it’s potentially safer to just sneak off to do it and that's where you usually will find accidents, peer poop after the fact.
If you do catch your dog trying to eliminate in the home, just go ahead and take them out to the designated space where they should go and praise as they continue to go up to the bathroom.
If you find a mess after the fact, all you can do is pick it up and clean it. There's really no discipline that you need to do with your dog since the time has passed and corrections must happen in the moment to be effective.
In order to clean up the mess properly and not leave any strong scents behind that your dog might mark on, you want to use products that don't have a strong smell like ammonia for cleanup. They're popular, but they can also be toxic to your dog. I recommend that you use a cleaner that breaks down enzymes and something that's not overly strong of a smell, as too strong of a scent is very enticing for a dog to go over and mark or pee on.
Puppy Chewing and Nipping Behavior
Why puppies chew and how to redirect it properly
Let's talk about chewing and potentially nipping. Usually what people experience is the dog is nipping on their fingers. Well, this looks like a mouth to your dog. They don't really understand what hands are because they don't have them. It's really important that you're only using your hands for showing and guiding and praising and not for too much correction. Dogs can take your hands as play items and toys and if you don't really nip that in the bud early on, it could become a much bigger behavior later on.
Most puppies need to chew in order to relieve a lot of that pain and discomfort in their mouth. Chewing is a natural function of your dog's development and it's a source of stress relief. It's effectively managed by using rubber toys, usually things that are really hard for them to chew up and swallow. I like to use the Kong, which many people use, and I will also freeze that with some food in the middle of it. That could be some kibble, maybe a little bit of water and some healthy food for them. It then allows them to chew, to think, and to try to get the food out to relieve that tension in the mouth. Chewing on an item can also help your dog fall asleep which puppies need a lot of, usually about 18 to 20 hours of sleep over a 24 hour period while they're very young.
How to Use a Crate for Puppy Training
Creating a safe, comfortable space for your dog
Crates are a really good tool to use with dogs, and it allows you to manage whatever you need to do during the day. It allows the dogs to have a safe environment away from things that they can get into and potentially swallow that could be harmful for them.
Ensure that the crate is only large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. Anything larger, it may pee in the corner or it could potentially go in an area where it doesn't sleep. You can also use the built-in dividers that come with crates that will help you to size it appropriately. As they get bigger, you can make that space a little bit bigger.
Teaching dogs about being in the crate and then being physically away from you is really important. It's typically where a lot of separation anxiety can develop.
Making the Crate a Positive Experience
What you want to do is work with your dog first to understand that the crate is a safe space for them. It's a place where they can go to relax and sleep. The other thing that you want to try and work on with them is to not put them in the crate and leave the room. You have to first work on separating yourself from them physically while they can still see you. So if you put your dog in the crate and you immediately leave the room, they're going to understand that the crate is an isolated place as opposed to just another room in your home.
Please do not use your crate as a punishment or a timeout. Dogs don't understand what a timeout is and it can also lead to more separation anxiety. Once you can start to get your dog more acclimated and safe in that space, you can work on physically distancing yourself from them in different rooms. I do not recommend having the crate in your bedroom. Dogs should sleep in a separate area than where you're sleeping. This is mostly for the puppy stage. Later on in life, if they aren't experiencing any separation anxiety, you can have your dog in your room.
Essential Puppy Supplies
Everything your puppy needs for a healthy start
Every puppy needs high quality food and you need to separate the food and water bowls from where they sleep. They need a well-made collar and leash and a few toys, not to mention your dog needs lots of love and lots of human company and reassurance. Each of these items will play a big role in your puppy's safety and comfort while easing them into the adjustment of your home.
Get Expert Help with Puppy Training
If you've just gotten a puppy, congratulations. If you're thinking about getting a puppy, we can also help you make sure that you pick the right temperament that might suit you and your family. Bark Busters can help with that early development, that relationship that you're trying to build with them based on your bond, your trust, and your respect.
Contact us today. We can help with puppy behaviors and then as they grow older, help with any other behaviors that might come about. Thank you so much.