Potty training requires careful observation of the dog or puppy you bring into your home – no matter what age. Have some paper towel and some Windex handy! It’s inevitable that your new puppy/dog will go potty on your floor.
When a dog/puppy enters into a new place, there are so many new smells and things going on, that peeing on things just seems to make them feel more at ease. Puppies are like babies – sometimes they just forget and squat to go. Potty training is a requirement!
So the first day you bring the new baby home, spend a LOT of time outside. Puppies have specific times that they seem to “go” – after they eat, after they play, when they wake up. Learn your new puppy/dog’s behavior – what does his cry sound like when he is sad? Happy? when he has to go potty? What does he do right before he goes potty? There are tell-tale signs and you, as the new owner, are responsible to understand what your dog needs to help with potty training.
You only have a few seconds before an accident happens inside the house. The only way to effectively use potty training is to take the pup outside as SOON as he THINKS about going potty – not during or after. You have to know BEFORE it happens. Take him outside often until you learn it. It’s really you that is being trained!
In no instance should you yell at your new dog/pup when they are already going potty – this can be very traumatic for a new dog and they will learn to be sullen around you. Instead, just pick them up and go right outside. Make sure they finish the job outside. Watch when they go potty and time it to the next time they go potty – that way you can take them outside before they have to go again. Keep potty training consistent.
Pick a word to use so the dog understands, like “outside”, or “potty” – just one word, and use it consistently and make sure everyone in your household uses these same words and techniques.
Buy a crate – for a 15″ inch Beagle, buy a wire crate or one that looks like an end table and can be a part of your decor. For a puppy, put a big pillow or a puppy size bed in it (some crates come with a divider also) to take up the space – only leave a very small area for the pup – keep it tight until they are fully potty trained. If there is extra space in the crate, the puppy will have accidents. Potty training is your responsibility – the puppy won’t learn if you aren’t consistent.
Determine a potty spot outside – that you will want your dog to use as the toilet – they will use this spot the rest of their life. Plan out the best location to keep poop out of the way and easy to pick up.
Buy a pooper scooper & poop bags. PLEASE pick up your puppy/dog poop – both at home and in public. Not only is it a hazard to step in, but dog poop carries parasites and other diseases, sometimes deadly diseases, so picking it up immediately helps keep your yard healthy along with your dog and other people’s dogs as well.
Remember that dogs’ noses are 100,000 times better than ours – they can smell a tiny drop of urine – so when new dogs smell that in your house, they may want to “mark” that spot. Males AND females can mark their territory. Usually after one time of doing this, they won’t do it again in the same spot. You can buy “panties” for the girls and “belly bands” for the boys if you are having trouble with this. Sometimes females will mark their “spot” if they feel nervous – or if they don’t have their own “private” area. Make them feel as comfortable as possible.
NOTE: Puppies cannot physically “hold it” until they are about 4 months old (16 weeks) and this is different for each pup. Do NOT make them hold it. Make sure they get adequate outside time. Female puppies can come into heat as early as 6 months old, and males are starting to get heir testosterone between 4 and 6 months old. All of these things can mess up the potty training – do not be dismayed – and don’t yell at your dog! They will be mature adults at the age of 3 years old. Before then, expect a few accidents and be happy with whatever results you get from training. Just stay consistent and your pup will usually figure it out before the age of two, and most cases by the time they are six months old.