Toilet training is such an important part of starting off on the right paw for your new puppy, as bad habits once learnt can be hard to break. It requires patience and commitment from you – puppies learn fast when you are there outside with them praising them for their good efforts!
- The first place your pup should visit at your house is the lawn or place where you want them to toilet. Let them sniff around, and wait for them to toilet. When they do, give praise, a pat and a puppy treat. The odour left here reminds them to toilet next time.
- Take them out to toilet often. A young puppy has very poor bladder control and needs to go every few hours. Be alert to signs like sniffing and circling and take them out immediately especially,
- after waking in the morning
- naps and meals
- playing or training
- being left alone
- immediately before being put to bed
- Don’t ‘let them outside’ – go outside with them to the toilet! They soon associate toileting outside and praise, and will learn very quickly.
- Keep the puppy in a confined space inside so you always know what they are up to. When you can't be there, crate them. Your puppy will respect this new den and will avoid soiling it.
- Correct them kindly. Accidents will happen. Remember that shouting, scolding and punishment serve no purpose and will only confuse your new puppy and delay learning. If you catch them mid-act, simply say, ‘No!’ and immediately take them outside. If you find a puddle or faeces, clean it up and resolve to watch puppy better next time
Teach your pup to toilet on command. Each time they are in the act of eliminating, use a command like ‘hurry up’ or ‘be quick’, in an upbeat tone of voice. After a few weeks you’ll notice when you say the command your puppy will toilet – and be sure to praise them for their accomplishments!
- The last feeding of the day should be done several hours before confinement for the night. By controlling the feeding schedule, exercise sessions, confinement periods and trips outdoors to the toilet area, your puppy will quickly develop a reliable schedule for toileting.
For a real life insight into toilet training read about Gus and Ludo's antics and the perils of toilet training!