The 9 R’s of Potty Training!
Potty training your puppy doesn’t have to be a challenge! Use “R” tips to help you get off to the right start.
Routine: Keeping your puppy on a routine. As your puppy gets used to a schedule to eat, sleep, play, and exercise, this helps regulate their bowel movements and makes it easier for them to learn when and where to eliminate.
Right Area: You know where you don’t want your dog to go potty, but have you decided on where you want them to go ? Decide on a specific spot outside where you want your puppy to go potty. Take them to this spot consistently so they associate it with bathroom breaks. The more often they go to that spot in the beginning the quicker they will associate that is their spot to go potty.
Restrict Areas: Just like you wouldn’t leave a toddler alone unsupervised, a puppy shouldn’t be left unsupervised either. When it comes to potty training your puppy, start by restricting their access to the entire house. Give your puppy an area that is confined to a room where you can watch them. As they learn where you want them to go potty you can give them more access to your home.
Recognize: Recognize the signs that your puppy needs to go potty, these are:sniffing, circling, or restlessness. When you see these signs, take them to the designated potty area immediately.
Repetition: Use the same phrase every time you take your puppy to the bathroom. We use the term “Go potty". This will help your puppy associate the command with the act of elimination. This repetitive verbiage will let them know it's time to go potty.
Reward: Every time your puppy goes potty in the “Right” area, reward them. Reward can look like treats, or verbal praise. We like to teach our puppies with marker words so we use the word “YES”. Positive reinforcement helps reinforce the desired behavior.
Resolve: Inevitably, accidents will happen during the potty training process. This is part of potty training your puppy. When they occur, clean up the mess thoroughly using an enzymatic cleaner to remove any lingering scent that might attract your puppy to the same spot.
Reinforce: Potty training takes time and patience, It is important to focus on reinforcing positive behaviors, like when they go potty in the correct area. You can also use this as a time to reflect and see if your puppy was giving you signs/signals that they needed to go to the bathroom. This is a learning experience for both of you.
Reliability: As your puppy becomes more reliable in their potty training, gradually give them more freedom and access to other areas of the house. Remember to monitor your puppy closely during this transition phase to prevent accidents.
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