Let’s talk Toilet training!

“Help! My puppy keeps peeing or pooping in the house!”

Toilet training a puppy is a biggie! It takes time and patience. Every puppy is an individual so will be on their own timescale.

To be as efficient as possible, you need to use reward-based training. Rewarding your pup with a 'treat party' when they get it right will definitely speed things up.

1. Supervise your pup or place them in a safe confinement area (puppy pen).

2. Give your pup plenty of opportunities to go outside.

3. Reward him immediately, EVERY time he toilets in the right place.

4. Have a daily routine for your pup, so toileting is as predictable (as possible).

5. Ditch the puppy pads!!!!

1. Supervise, Supervise, Supervise your pup!

This is where I see toilet training failing most often. We take our eye off the ball, get distracted and before you know it, pup has pooped in the house. If you cannot supervise your pup, then place the little one in their puppy pen. Try not to miss any opportunity to reward him for good behaviour.

Accidents will happen, its real life! When they do, try not make a fuss. We don't want pup thinking that pooping in front of a human means trouble for them, or they will start to hold it when you’re around, even when you're outside. If an accident happens, accept you dropped the ball, clean up with zero fuss and move on.

2. Give your pup plenty of opportunities to go outside:

TIMES TO TAKE PUPPY OUT:

8-9weeks every 2 hours

10-14weeks every 3 hours

PLUS!

*First thing in morning.

*Last thing at night.

*After play.

*After food.

*After water.

*After naps.

*If you see them sniffing/ circling.

3. Reward EVERY time they go in the right place.

Take your pup outside to where you’d like them to go. Puppies often have a surface preference of grass under their feet, so try grass first. Wait with no fuss, try not to distract them. When they have finished their business, reward with a treat or two.

4. Daily routine:

What goes in must come out! Having a structured puppy routine including naps, play, food is key and you should start to see a pattern of when you puppy needs to go. Then you can start to pre-empt it and take them out first.

5. Ditch the Puppy Pads!

It’s tempting to put these down and leave your pup to it. However, it really is just teaching your dog to go inside + on soft surfaces. There is no substitute for supervision and giving your pup lots of opportunities to go outside. Set your alarm and get up once in the night instead, and take pup to the surface you want them to go on! It’s hard work but in my experience, much quicker than using puppy pads!

If you’re having trouble with toilet training, get in touch and we can set you and your pup up for success!

JOIN ME IN SUPER PUPPY CLUB AND GET HELP FROM A QUALIFIED PUPPY TRAINER