Potty Training

by Michele Holt

You've decided to buy a puppy and you find that ACK....He isn't potty trained.

Don't stress. This is actually a lot easier than it seems. First you have a few items to buy and a game plan to set. I'll help you out with it.

Decide a place in the house where you can put puppy. Some place with linoleum will be the best as it is easily cleaned. If you have a door on a room like that 'great'. If not you may want to look into purchasing a child proof gate.

Febreeze

Buy a big bottle because no matter how diligent you are there will be an accident. Febreeze is a great product which actually takes the smell out. I use the deep cleaning because hey it is dogs we are talking about.

Treats

yes treats...I like the soft stuff like Snausages or Pup-Peroni. These can be broken down into small bite size treats and given as a reward.

Crate:

I talk more about crates later on. A crate however can be used effectively as a potty trainer and give the pup a Safe Place to go.

Puppy Potty training pads

I like the ones you can buy in the store as they are treated with special chemicals that will induce the puppy to potty on them. If not; just use the plain old newspaper. They can also aid in teaching your dog to use a litter box. Yes you heard me correctly a litter box. I'll tell you about this one later as a special trick.

Now You are Thinking: are we Ready Yet? Yup We are.

Fix your puppies special spot and lay down the newspaper or Puppy pads. Fix the gate or close the door and place the crate inside the room with a blankie inside for comfort. You will need to clean any mess your puppy makes immediately to discourage more accidents and prevent it from smelling.

Your puppy will need to go out after the following events

• After eating a meal. I would swear anything a puppy eats or drinks just goes straight thru them.. Take your puppy outside immediately
• Drinking...again take the puppy out immediately because it will go straight thru. LOL
• After puppy wakes up. Just like when you first wake up and need to go, so does your puppy. Take out immediately.
• After play. I think all that jiggling makes your puppy need to go. Take outside.

Now when you take your puppy outside make sure to take treats and a lot of good encouragement. Place puppy down and tell him/her go potty. As soon as puppy goes potty give a small treat and very enthusiastically say good potty ' yes' GOOD Potty. Your puppy will learn to go potty on command which can save you some problems in the future. Keep doing this until puppy goes potty when told.

Of course there will be an accident. When this happens, don't spank, don't yell, nothing negative just a "no Potty" will do...Pick up puppy, take outside and say 'go potty'. Then bring back in and put in crate or room for a short time.

Your puppy needs to rest, and take a nap. Your puppy will get the hint soon. You need to be diligent. Remember your puppy has a small bladder so he/she needs to go out more frequently. Don't give up. Your puppy will be potty trained.
Good luck and enjoy.

Treat your dog to the delicious taste of Pup-Peroni These snack sticks are the perfect treat every day

MIDWEST Double Door Folding Crate This double door folding crate offers safety and versatility especially when transporting your dog in a van or SUV.

Pooch Pads Reusable Housebreaking Pads Pooch Pads are absorbent odor-controlling pads that are ideal for use with puppies older or incontinent dogs or dogs left home alone. Also great for the whelping box Puppy & Dog Starter Kit by Nature's Miracle. Because accidents happen you'll want to have this kit ready when you welcome your new puppy