Rachel Drinkard/Turnagain Times
Chow Chow puppy, Balu, waits patiently to go out and take care of business.
Chow Chow puppy, Balu, waits patiently to go out and take care of business.
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Rachel Drinkard/Turnagain Times Chow Chow puppy, Balu, waits patiently to go out and take care of business. |
By Julie St. Louis
Special to Turnagain Times
So you just got an adorable new puppy and after all the cuddling and petting you think, “Now what?” Well, now it’s time for potty training. He or she needs to learn to go to the bathroom outside, and the sooner the better.
Despite the horror stories you may have heard from others, housebreaking is easier than you think as long as you set yourself and your pup up for success. For new pups it’s best to keep them in your sight while you are home, and crated or limited to one area of the house while you are out. To keep Rover in your sight you can shut the door to the room you are in, or keep your pup on a long leash tethered to you.
Know the signs and most likely times when your pup will need to go out. Rover will start to sniff the floor or may become restless or whine to get your attention. He’ll need to go out within about 20 minutes of eating, sleeping or playing, so make a point of taking him out at these times. Consistency is key.
If you aren’t able to recognize the signs, try teaching him to ring bells hanging off the door handle. A strip of sleigh bells work really well for this. Just before heading out gently help your pup nose the bells. Once Rover has done his “business” praise him enthusiastically so his tail wags, or reward with a treat. Immediately take him back into the house so that he associates the bells or your praise with going potty outside. If you stay out there to play, then he will wrongly associate the bells with going out to have fun, not for going to the bathroom.
Another added measure is to teach him special commands for both peeing and pooing. Take your pup for a walk. As he lifts his leg, or she squats to pee, say a word like “hurry” or “spot.” Each time your pup pees say this word, so that eventually Rover will associate your word command with peeing or pooing. Again, after each time give praise, “Good hurry” or Good spot,” or a treat reward. This way your pup will know that he’s making you happy and doing things right. This will come in handy on those super cold days when you want to go out and get back in fast.
Of course you can’t be home with you pup non-stop, but for faster training it’s advisable to take several days or a week off from work to focus on your pup. If you can’t be home for extended periods of time, or when you do leave the house, consider placing your pooch in a pet carrier or wire kennel, or using a baby gate to keep him confined to one area of the house, ideally one without carpeting.
A young puppy will be all right for up to two hours alone. If you must be gone most of the day, consider hiring a dog walker or having a friend come by to let your pup out every couple of hours. As the puppy ages, he will be able to go for longer and longer periods without being let out. Confining a pup to a crate or smaller area is not cruel, and in most instances puppies will feel more secure by having a space that is theirs. Also, puppies tend not to mess in an area they consider their den or bed. The crate should be big enough for the pup to stand up and turn around in, but not so big that he’s able to pee in one corner and still be comfortable on the other side of the crate. Place a durable toy, or treat inside and he will be content.
If your pup has an accident in the house, and he will, don’t rub his nose in it, or hit him or berate him, especially if you did not catch him in the act. Your pup lives in the present and will not associate your punishments with soiling the carpet. He will connect it with whatever he is doing at that moment and be confused. In particular if you yell and scream at him as soon as you get home, your pup will not be running to greet you happily when you return for much longer. If you do catch your pup mid-pee, scoop him up and run him outside to finish and then praise him.
Finally, for cleaning up the messes, there are several helpful products on the market as well as some home remedies. Water and soap will not be enough to dissolve the stain and the scent. You must get the scent out, or Rover and his other puppy pals will continue to mark that spot. Nature’s Miracle, Simple Solution, and several with Arm-n-Hammer Baking Soda added, all work to remove the odor-causing bacteria. If you don’t have any of these available you can use a solution of half vinegar half water. The vinegar will neutralize odor.
Enjoy your new puppy while helping him become a happy and well-trained member of you family. Remember positive reinforcement and consistency, and the love and companionship he gives back to you will only grow stronger each day.
Julie St. Louis is the proprietor of GRRdwood Pets & Green Goods, located in Girdwood next to the Laundromall on Holmgren Place. Website: www.grrdpets.com