Bringing a puppy into your home is an exciting experience. But an important aspect of training is housetraining. To help your new four-legged friend quickly learn where to do his business, there are some tried-and-tested methods and a few tricks. In this article, you'll learn how to housetrain your puppy as quickly as possible.
The first steps to housetraining
Introduce a rough schedule
One step in housetraining your puppy is to introduce a rough schedule. Dogs are creatures of habit and learn quickly when they have a clear structure. The advantage of such a schedule is that you can easily plan when to take the puppy out. The disadvantage of a schedule that's too rigid is that you have to stick to it very precisely, and with a bit of bad luck, even later on. Such inflexible dogs can be very exhausting in the long run, as you always have to be home at a certain time, for example. Therefore, it's good to have a schedule, but to make it somewhat flexible; the older the dog gets, the more you can vary it. However, somewhat fixed times for feeding and especially for walks are very helpful in the beginning. Typically, a puppy should be taken outside at least after waking up, after eating, after playing, and before going to bed. A certain level of regularity helps the puppy understand and adjust to the times for its business.
The older a puppy gets, the longer the intervals between walks can be. Keep in mind that walks can also simply be an opportunity to relieve themselves. Of course, a puppy should have age-appropriate environmental experiences, but that doesn't mean you have to give them something to experience every time you take them outside. Depending on the puppy, this may initially mean going out every one to two hours, as their bladder isn't fully developed yet. Over time, you'll find that your puppy can last longer and needs to go outside less frequently.
Choose a Permanent Spot
Choose a permanent spot in the yard or in front of the house for your puppy to do their business. This spot should be quiet and free of distractions. If you take your puppy to this spot repeatedly, they will soon associate it with relieving their bladder or bowels. This method helps give your puppy clear signals and speeds up training. Overly hectic places offer too many distractions and can cause your puppy to forget that their bladder is full and then empty it immediately after you get home.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is a good method for housetraining your puppy. Every time your puppy does its business in the right place, praise it and reward it with a treat. These rewards show the puppy that it has done something right and motivate it to repeat the behavior. Make sure that your puppy actually perceives your behavior as a reward; overly effusive praise can sometimes be confusing for puppies.
However, avoid punishing your puppy if it has an accident in the house. Instead, clean the area thoroughly to remove any odors that might attract the puppy back to the spot.
Important Housetraining Tips
Observation and Attention
To housetrain your puppy quickly, it's important to observe him closely. Look for signs that he needs to go, such as sniffing the ground, turning in circles, or restless behavior. As soon as you notice these signs, take your puppy outside to his regular spot immediately. This attention will help you avoid accidents and show your puppy the correct spot.
Patience and Consistency
Patience and consistency are keys to success in house training. Every puppy learns at its own pace, and it can take several weeks to months to become fully housebroken. Stay patient and don't let the occasional mishap discourage you. Even if there are setbacks, it's important to remain consistent. Over time, your puppy will understand what is expected of them.
Using Pee Pads
Some dog owners find it helpful to use pee pads. Pee pads are absorbent pads that your dog is allowed to defecate on. The advantage of these pads is that they are also available in the house, and once your puppy has understood the principle, they can use them at any time without your help. However, it can be very difficult to break your puppy of this behavior. You get your puppy used to having such a place in the house at all times. Subsequent outdoor training can also be delayed because the surface is different and may be too unfamiliar for the puppy. Pee pads have a few advantages, but also some disadvantages. You have to decide for yourself whether they are a good option for you and your puppy.
Housetraining your puppy at night
Introducing a nighttime routine
A good nighttime routine is crucial for housetraining your puppy at night. Take your puppy outside again right before bedtime. This reduces the likelihood of them needing to go to the bathroom during the night. Make sure your puppy's sleeping area is close enough so you can hear when they get restless and need to go.
Nighttime Walks
Especially in the first few weeks, it may be necessary to take your puppy out at night. Set an alarm to take your puppy outside regularly at night, especially if they are very young. Over time, these nighttime outings will become less necessary as your puppy becomes able to go for longer periods. Here, too, a little variability from the start doesn't hurt.
Other Tricks to Support Housetraining
Feeding Times
Feeding times help regulate your puppy's digestive rhythm. Feed your puppy at similar times and avoid giving him constant access to food. This helps create predictable walk times and makes housetraining easier.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
Keep the area where your puppy lives clean. Regularly clean up any accidents and thoroughly clean to remove odors. This cleanliness helps your puppy understand that the house is not a place for his business.
Command
You can use a command when your puppy relieves himself. Always use the same command, such as "Pee-pee" or "Go potty." This can help your puppy understand what is expected of him and make learning easier.
Attention after meals
It is especially important to pay close attention to your puppy and take him outside after meals. Puppies often need to relieve themselves shortly after eating. If you know this time, you can avoid accidents in the house and make training more effective.
If your puppy just doesn't want to pee outside - professional tips from our experts
Bored outside
You can go with your puppy on a leash to the place where he should relieve himself – i.e., do his business. Stay there with him and wait. It should be a quiet place, without many distractions. Keep an eye on your puppy, but try not to interact with him too much. Anything can be more exciting than relieving yourself. Now it's time to be patient and wait. This can take a while, especially the first few times.
Pretend
Puppies are often so excited outside that they simply forget to do their business, and then it happens right after they get home. The puppy relaxes, and just like that, it's happened. It can help if you go home and catch the right moment. The puppy relaxes, and then you're outside again. With a bit of luck and the right timing, they'll then go outside.
Pee Smell
The smell of pee in the place where they're supposed to go can help a puppy. You can use a puddle that occurred indoors to collect urine and place it outside in the spot where the puppy should relieve itself.
Pee Pads
Most dog professionals are against pee pads, as they make things easier for owners at first, but later mean a lot more work to train them out. However, it can be useful to use them for some puppies, especially if your puppy is very overwhelmed outside. Nevertheless, it is of course important to go outside too. You should gradually reduce the number of pee pads and move them towards the door or outside.
Conclusion
Housetraining a puppy requires time, patience, and consistency. With a schedule, positive reinforcement, and careful observation, you can quickly teach your puppy where to do his business. Use the tips and tricks above to make training easier and minimize accidents. Remember that every puppy learns at his own pace and that setbacks are normal. With patience and consistent training, your puppy will soon be housebroken and grow up to be a happy, well-behaved companion.