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The ideal time to toilet train your puppy is around 12 weeks old! One of the most important things you’ll need to teach your puppy is toilet training. The goal is to encourage good habits in a calm and relaxed setting while building a loving trusting bond.
Housebreaking is perhaps the biggest challenge we face when training a new puppy. If only our canine best friends could talk, it would be a lot easier! Until that day, trial and error, along with these top tips, will have to do…
There are certain times when your puppy is more likely to need the loo. For instance, after a long snooze, after playtime or after meals, first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Pups can’t hold their liquid for long at all so we recommend taking them outside every hour initially.
This is the perfect chance to praise them when they go in the right spot. Start rewarding your puppy once they have finished doing their business by giving them a little treat or make a big fuss. It’s a good idea to mix it up, don’t offer a treat every time as this will soon become a habit. However, do give lots of praise and fuss every time your puppy does their business.
Give them space. Try to imagine how you’d feel if someone was watching you…
If you do manage to catch your puppy in the act, breathe, scoop them up and take them outside. Clean up the mess and say no more.
Your pup will start to show you that they need to go. Look out for warning signs such as sniffing the ground, circling, going behind a chair or sofa or going to the back door. You will need a beady eye to avoid accidents from happening. Timing is essential.
When you spot your puppy starting to do their business, have a cue word ready which you can repeat each time to remind them. This could be anything from “wee wee” to “toilet” but it must be consistent otherwise your pup could lose the connection between this word and toileting. Don’t forget to praise your puppy after they’ve finished!
After a while, your puppy will get used to the toilet routine and start to bark, whine or pace the room when they need to go.
Look out for these signs:
Accidents happen…
If disaster strikes and your puppy has a little accident, don’t make a fuss. Quietly and gently take them outside. Accidents are all part of the process but being prepared can make it easier.
Arm yourself with plenty of kitchen roll, poo bags and a strong canine disinfectant. Disinfectant will neutralise the odour to prevent your puppy picking up the scent and going in the same place.
Our puppy experts are on hand if you need a little more help.
