If You Want To Keep Your Carpet Clean, Get That Potty Training Done in 5 Steps

Due to the Pandemic, the pet industry has noticed an increase in dog adoptions and purchases. The first wave began in March of 2020 and it hasn’t slowed down. People living not only in the city but also in the countryside have been buying more dogs. And they can dedicate more time to train their new puppy at home.

Creating particular habits for your dog at a young age is very important, not only for your dog, but also for you. It’s wrong to think that some dog breeds need more exercise than others. Because some dogs are smaller than others, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take them out for walks. As a matter of fact, all dogs big and small, love to get outside and play.

What is the appropriate age for potty training?

As humans, animals also get used to living with their owners and will adapt to their owner’s lifestyle. Dogs develop new habits when they're little. This is why you should potty train your dogs as early as possible. 

You might be asking yourself, “But how do I potty train my puppy if he is only 1 month old?

You should do this from the very first day your puppy enters his new home. Don't make any excuses. Such as, let’s wait for my dog to grow a little bit more, or I will potty train my dog when he gets all the vaccines. You know that bad habits are created very early on and hard to unlearn.

What is the process?

Even though puppies spend the majority of their days sleeping, they still need to be potty trained. It's ideal to take your dog outside a few times a day, especially in the first 2 months. If you're consistent in the beginning, you won’t need to do it as often once you train your dog. Another tip is to take your dog to pee in the same place every time, this way he remembers that he has to only urinate there. It's a good idea to train your dog to urinate on the grass, which will save you some embarrassment in the long run. No-one wants a dog peeing and pooping on the streets. 

How to train your dog to urinate/poop only outside?

As the dog owner, you have to observe your dog’s behavior very closely. As soon as he wakes up, you have to pick him up and take him outside in the grass. Little puppies will pee when they have to, so be quick. There's no reason for you to call them by their name or use a leash to drag them to come outside.

Take your dog outside after drinking water, eats, and when he finishes playing with his toys. The more you catch your dog at the right time, the faster he'll understand that he's only allowed to potty outside. Rule of thumb is to never let your dog hang out or sit where he pees. Always have a leash on your dog. When he wants to hang out where he pees, you can limit his movement and not allow him to lay down in that area.

As soon as your dog squats and is ready to pee, this is the time for you to say a command. This will help your dog remember your voice and what it's required of him. For example, you can say the words “Potty!” or “Go potty!”. Make sure you say it ones, because if you say it 3 times in a row, your dog won’t potty until you say it 3 times every time.

Most Common Rules to Remember:

1. Take your dog outside after he wakes up, eats and plays. It's always good to take your dog on a walk no matter the weather. Excuses like, "I am too tired", " How your dog feels", or even " I don't feel like it", are no excuses. Fresh air will make you and your dog feel much better. The biggest mistake you can make is to keep your puppy at home until he gets all the necessary vaccines. Your little furry friend will learn to only pee inside the house. Taking your dog on regular walks is good for his its development.

2. Don’t teach your dog to use pads if your goal is to train him to go outside. Don't confuse your dog one week by giving him words of encouragement for peeing on a pad inside your house. And then the following week, you yell at him for peeing on the pad instead of going outside.

3. Your dog should pee in a quiet and safe place, with less cars driving by.
4. Remember to go to a grass area, not alleys or streets.
5. It is unacceptable to yell and be mean to your dog if he has an accident in your house. Some dogs have weak bladders and will pee when they see you coming home. They're happy and excited to run to you and greet you. If this continues to happen, consult with a veterinarian.

Remember, you need consistency and patience while you're training your dog. If you don’t have the time or patients, hire a dog trainer who can help you with that.