A husky dog runs and jumps on the green grass in a backyard, demonstrating potty training.

How to Successfully Potty Train Your New Puppy

Bringing your new puppy home for the first time is an exciting time that requires thorough preparation. An important component of helping your puppy develop good habits includes guiding them through potty training. So, here’s everything you need to know about potty training your new puppy.

What Goes into Puppy Training

While there are many lessons to teach your new puppy, it’s important to focus on the necessary ones first, like potty training (also known as housetraining). 

You can get your newest family member to learn this important life skill by establishing a schedule, knowing your puppy’s potty signals, using potty-training tools, and rewarding your puppy for good potty behavior. 

Establish a Potty Schedule

Having a consistent potty schedule for potty breaks will allow your puppy to relieve themselves outdoors. Once you establish a timeline for what times to take your puppy out to potty, make sure to stick to it. This routine can include taking your puppy out once every two hours after sleeping, eating, and playing. 

Ultimately, the sooner you help your puppy understand that there are approved places to potty, the quicker you’ll have housetraining success.

Understand Your Puppy’s Signals

Throughout the training period, it’s important to observe and begin to identify your puppy’s cues of when he has to go. Each puppy is unique, so you’ll get to know his particular signals to potty. However, common signs to look out for include any fidgeting, whining, sniffing around, or barking or scratching at the door.

Potty-Training Tools

Generally, dogs like to keep their sleeping space clean. That’s why using a dog crate is a beneficial tool for your puppy’s house training. You can teach your puppy to love their crate by using a treat or toy during crate time. Plus, the crate can be a useful tool for vet visits, travel, and other transportation needs. 

Other potty-training tools that pet parents can use are puppy pads for the option of allowing their puppy to relieve themselves in a designated spot at home.

Reward Your Puppy for Desired Behavior

Accidents can happen during the potty training period, so remember to avoid scolding your puppy. Punishing your puppy can tarnish the bond that you are trying to build with him. Instead, work on rewarding your puppy for good potty behavior to encourage repeating the behaviors. This is also known as positive reinforcement techniques. 

Moreover, the goal of positive reinforcement is to instill good habits in your pup. Since most dogs are motivated by food, food treats can be a powerful tool during potty training.

Puppy Potty Training Tips

In conclusion, various ways exist to establish a potty training plan for your puppy successfully. Here are tips to help your puppy become potty trained. 

  • Keep a consistent potty schedule.
  • Recognize the signs when your puppy indicates he has to go. 
  • Consider and use potty-training tools. 
  • Praise your puppy when they demonstrate good potty behavior.

All in all, you can set your puppy up for success by teaching them important life skills like potty training. By exercising patience and persistence through the process, your puppy will be on his way to becoming a mature, well-behaved adult dog.

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