Tips for Potty Training Your Puppy

Puppies are cute, cuddly, and fun. They are often received as gifts at Christmas or brought home when a family buys their first home. As much fun as puppies can be, they are a handful and a lot of responsibility. For this reason, it is important to do research and make an informed decision before getting one for your family. Still, the benefits of having a puppy make all of the responsibility well worth it. Perhaps one of the most difficult parts of having a puppy is potty training. It is messy, and it requires a lot of patience and consistency. Whether you are in the beginning stages of deciding whether or not to get a puppy or have been attempting to potty train your puppy for a while to no avail, there are some things you can do to help ensure it is more successful.

Get a Porch Potty

It may sound silly, but getting a potty for your puppy to learn with can be incredibly helpful. This is especially true when you live in an area that doesn’t have easy access to grass. Perhaps you live in the city where you are surrounded by sidewalks and concrete with no grass nearby. Maybe you live in a second or third story apartment and don’t want to lead your dog down several sets of steps to go to the restroom regularly. Having a porch party can eliminate this problem for you. To find out more about the porch potty, please click here.

Be Consistent

Being consistent is important for your puppy to be successful at potty training. If you give up easily, so will your puppy. Just like any form of training for your dog, consistency is the key to success. Be prepared to undergo this process for several weeks. Hopefully, your dog will learn sooner, but you can’t count on that. If you are going to be out of town or have any major events coming up, make sure you make arrangements with whoever is caring for your dog during that time to continue the routine. This is important so that your dog doesn’t get thrown off his or her schedule.

Be Patient

It can be incredibly discouraging to see progress and then all of a sudden see a pee stain on your carpet. However, it is pretty likely that this will happen. Puppies have small bladders, and even when you are taking them out regularly, there are no guarantees that there aren’t going to be a few accidents here and there. Don’t punish your dog when he or she has an accident, as this will only create fear and likely prolong the process.

Look for Your Dog’s Cues

Over time, your dog will learn that he or she is supposed to go outside or use the porch potty when it is time to use the restroom. Look for cues that it is time for him or her to go. This may include whining, scratching on the door, pacing the floor, pawing at your legs, or looking at you. Figuring out these cues can help prevent accidents.

Potty training your dog can be a challenge, but it is definitely doable. Follow these tips to make it as easy as possible.

Weston Barnes is a write and an avid reader. When he's not writing about business, marketing, health, pets, or relationships, he's immersed in his latest book.