House-Training A Puppy Who Just Doesn't Get It

Sometimes, no matter what you do, your puppy will struggle to become potty trained. Maybe you did everything right (and maybe you didn't) but either way, your puppy is still making messes all over your nice, clean floors. If that's the case, here are some valuable tips for potty training a puppy who doesn't seem to get it.

First, let's make sure that you originally trained your puppy the best way possible. Potty training your puppy should only take a few weeks to establish a routine that your puppy understands, as long as you are consistent and committed, and prepared to train your pet no matter what. If your puppy has already been taught bad habits, it will take significantly longer for you to first break the puppy's bad habits, and then train it new ones. So let's start at the very beginning.

In the process of potty training your dog, you should have followed something similar to these four steps. If you didn't, you may want to simply start over.

1.Scheduling: You must create a schedule that is easy for you to maintain. If you can't do it, how do you expect your dog to manage? Schedule your dog's feeding times, bed and wake-up times. Stick to these times as much as possible. Your puppy will probably need to go outside after each nap, when s/he wakes up in the morning and just before bed time. S/he may also need to go out after s/he's been badly scared or after a rowdy play session.

2.Supervise: If you know where your dog is at all times and what s/he is doing, you can avoid messes. If you see your puppy start looking around for a "spot,� you'll know that s/he needs to go out. Observe your dog so that you will quickly learn the difference between exploring his/her home and looking for a toilet area.

3.Taking your puppy out: When you take your dog out to the designated area, stand quietly so that s/he can find the right spot. Reserve your praise for after your puppy is done. Use a chosen word or phrase to offer praise. Even if the weather is bad, do not let your dog know that you don't want to be going out. You must teach your dog that s/he must go outside, no matter what the weather is.

4.Catching your pup "in the act:� If you do catch your dog in the act, firmly say "no.� Then bring the dog outside to the toilet area. Praise your pup is s/he relieves her/himself outside. Be sure that when you clean up the inside mess you use a deodorizing or odor killing cleanser, otherwise, s/he'll be more likely to use the area again.

Here are a few tips in case the steps above are not working well enough:

1.Crate Training: Use a crate while potty training your puppy. Your puppy should be in the crate while you are at work, sleeping, or anytime you are not able to watch it. Make the crate a happy place, not a punishment. You may have to let the pup outside during the night and during your lunch break during the day.

2.Tether to you while inside: When you are at home, consider using a long lead to tether the puppy to you. This way the puppy can't sneak off and relieve her/himself in the house and you'll know when to let him/her out.

3.Keep a potty journal: Keep track of how quickly food moves through the puppy. This will help you gage how quickly to get the little puppy out the door following meals.

If you've already done these suggestions, and your puppy still doesn't seem to get it, you may need to hire a professional. They may be able to guide you and your puppy in ways that you aren't able to do on your own.

More Puppy Care

Sometimes, no matter what you do, your puppy will struggle to become potty trained. Maybe you did everything right (and maybe you didn’t) but either way, your puppy is still making messes all over your nice, clean floors. If that’s the case, here are some valuable tips for potty training a puppy who doesn’t seem to get it.

First, let’s make sure that you originally trained your puppy the best way possible. Potty training your puppy should only take a few weeks to establish a routine that your puppy understands, as long as you are consistent and committed, and prepared to train your pet no matter what. If your puppy has already been taught bad habits, it will take significantly longer for you to first break the puppy’s bad habits, and then train it new ones. So let’s start at the very beginning.

In the process of potty training your dog, you should have followed something similar to these four steps. If you didn’t, you may want to simply start over.

1.Scheduling: You must create a schedule that is easy for you to maintain. If you can’t do it, how do you expect your dog to manage? Schedule your dog’s feeding times, bed and wake-up times. Stick to these times as much as possible. Your puppy will probably need to go outside after each nap, when s/he wakes up in the morning and just before bed time. S/he may also need to go out after s/he’s been badly scared or after a rowdy play session.

2.Supervise: If you know where your dog is at all times and what s/he is doing, you can avoid messes. If you see your puppy start looking around for a “spot,� you’ll know that s/he needs to go out. Observe your dog so that you will quickly learn the difference between exploring his/her home and looking for a toilet area.

3.Taking your puppy out: When you take your dog out to the designated area, stand quietly so that s/he can find the right spot. Reserve your praise for after your puppy is done. Use a chosen word or phrase to offer praise. Even if the weather is bad, do not let your dog know that you don’t want to be going out. You must teach your dog that s/he must go outside, no matter what the weather is.

4.Catching your pup “in the act:� If you do catch your dog in the act, firmly say “no.� Then bring the dog outside to the toilet area. Praise your pup is s/he relieves her/himself outside. Be sure that when you clean up the inside mess you use a deodorizing or odor killing cleanser, otherwise, s/he’ll be more likely to use the area again.

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