Located in Rudy, Arkansas
Serving Fort Smith, Van Buren, and surrounding areas
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Located in Rudy, Arkansas
Serving Fort Smith, Van Buren, and surrounding areas

House Training Your Puppy

Teaching Your Dog to Go Potty in a Designated Area
Helping your pup or older dog understand where to toilet

House Training Your Puppy

Prerequisite

None

Tools

  • Clicker
  • Treats
  • Crate
  • Leash
  • Patience

Training Environment

Everywhere your puppy goes

Recommended Treat Position

Treats should be used to reward your dog for toileting in the designated area by placing them in his / her mouth when your puppy has just finished his / her business.

Steps

  • The most important thing to remember when house training your puppy is that supervision is absolutely critical.  Do not let your puppy out of your sight, and pay attention to him when he has any opportunities to toilet in the wrong areas.  If you’re watching your pup you can catch him before he makes a mistake!
  • Remember that your puppy doesn’t understand what is expected of him, and have patience with him!  It’s our responsibility to help our puppy.
  • Designate a toileting area.  This can be a pee pad or “potty park” indoors or a 10 foot by 10 foot area of your yard.
  • Take your puppy out when he wakes up from a nap, when he has been playing, after he eats, and after he’s been confined.  All of these will increase his need to go potty.
  • Tell your puppy “Go potty!”  When he does, click and hand your dog a treat.  If you don’t have a clicker, you can get one here.
  • Watch your puppy and learn his signals.  Some puppies circle, some sniff the floor, some walk to the door, and some just seem agitated.
  • When you are unable to watch your puppy keep him confined.  Confinement might be a crate just large enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably (no larger or he might soil his crate) or you might use a pen or area where you have set up a small area with his bed and toys on one side and pee pads on the other.  This is useful when you have to leave him for longer than he is able to hold it.
  • Use a house soiling schedule (click here)
  • Consider using a belly band like this one.  Use a liner pad like these.
  • If your puppy has an accident in the house, take him out to his designated potty area and when he’s done, bring him in and put him in his pen.  Clean up the mess quietly.  Use a product like this.
  • Do not scold your puppy or he may become afraid to go to the bathroom in front of you.  You don’t want him sneaking behind the couch because he’s afraid to toilet in front of you.

Homework