Toilet Training
How do we toilet train our puppy?
Start by taking your puppy to an outside grass or gravel area which is acceptable to you. Choose a word that you and your family will always use that means ”toilet”. The puppy will soon learn that this place and the word mean you want it to go to the toilet. Reward your puppy when they use this area for toileting and your puppy will very quickly learn this is where they should go.
You will need to help your puppy get the message by taking them outside frequently so he/she can relieve their bladders. Praise them every time they toilet outside. I recommend taking your puppy out every hour during the day for the first week .
Puppies sleep a lot during the day - if they’re inside, be sure to take them out immediately after they wake up, eat, or have had a play.
Tip: If you’re busy, set yourself an alarm for every hour to remind you to take puppy out to the toilet.
Do spend the time toilet training to get it right. Don’t expect too much from your puppy when he or she first comes home, as they have very limited bladder control and they don’t know what’s right or wrong. Be patient, they’re smart dogs and they will learn quickly, especially if you are consistent. DO NOT chastise accidents.
Your puppy is already used to toileting outside on the lawn and has had newspaper and artificial grass as a backup in their pen overnight before they came home with you.
Use a crate at night - dogs usually like to be clean and sleep in a clean area so using the crate at night teaches them very quickly to learn to hold on.
Stick to a routine - Consistency and Repetition are the key to all training. Be patient and consistent from the start and puppy will learn quickly. Take them to the toilet area:
🐾 After eating (usually within 10-15 minutes)
🐾 After a big play
🐾 First thing in the morning when they wake up
🐾 Immediately after a nap
🐾 Just before you put them to bed
Tip: Look for the signs - puppies will normally stop what they’re doing, or start to sniff and circle if they’re about to pee or 💩
Don’t yell at your puppy if they do have an accident - it will not help!
It’s hard not to yell, especially when puppy is leaving you a messy gift on your favourite rug, however, the best thing you can do, is pick them up immediately and take them outside to the toilet spot.
Be observant, you'll see your puppy looking for a place to relieve itself. It will suddenly circle about while sniffing the floor or grass. The sniffing is instinctive - they’re looking for a place that's already been used. If they can't find one, they’ll create one. By preventing accidents in the house, you'll teach puppy that the only appropriate bathroom is the one outside!
Important tip: Avoid ammonia-based cleaning products on your floors. To a dog, it apparently smells like urine and they will think it is an acceptable spot to toilet (to them others obviously have been doing so before).
Resources
How can I Toilet Train my Puppy (RSPCA)
How to Toilet Train Your Puppy (petcircle.com.au)
