Learn 6 tips to house-train your dog quicker and more efficiently
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House-training is the process of potty training a dog to excrete at a designated place outdoors rather than defecating indoors instinctively. It is an important part of owning a dog. House-training ensures that your home remains hygienic and your dog is disciplined.
House training requires considerable time, effort, patience, and commitment. If you are consistent, your puppy will be potty-trained in a few weeks. You can make this process easy and quick by following some basic guidelines. So let’s take a look.
Establish A Routine And Stick To It
- To effectively potty-train and discipline a puppy, it is important to establish a routine and stick to it. Set up a schedule for eating, playing, and bathroom breaks. Take them outside at the designated places for urination after regular intervals. Puppies’ bladder can hold in the urine for 1-2 hours. As they grow older, the duration increases. Nevertheless, a two-month-old puppy should have a bathroom break after every two hours to ensure that no accidents take place.
Along with that, take out your puppy for defecation immediately after they wake up, before sleeping, and after they are done eating.
Familiarize Them With A Phrase or Word
- To make the process more convenient, associate a phrase or word with the act of defecation. Whenever you want to take them out, use that phrase. Slowly, they will establish a link between that word and the act of relieving themselves. This will make the process more spontaneous and instinctive for them. Pick a specific spot outside your home for the puppy to relieve itself and stick to the same bathroom spot.
Create A Reward System
- To invoke their enthusiasm, create a reward system for them. Every time they successfully relieve themselves at the designated place, murmur words of encouragement. You can also give them certain dog treats. However, any reward should be given right at the spot after the dog has relieved itself and not when he’s back home. Creating a reward system will encourage and motivate them to become potty-trained faster.
Establish A Feeding Schedule
- Puppies usually defecate after being fed. If you establish a feeding schedule for your pup, an excretion schedule will automatically be established. Puppies need to be fed three to four times during the day. Feeding them at regular schedules will make potty training easier for you.
A Few Considerations Before Bedtime
- To help your puppy sleep through the night peacefully without needing a bathroom break, you should take away his water dish about two and a half hours before his sleep time. Consuming less water will ensure that the pup at least sleeps for seven hours straight. If he needs to use the bathroom at night, take him out quietly and don’t make it a big deal. Turn on as few lights as possible and avoid talking to him.
Take these precautions so your puppy would return back to sleep soon after the bathroom break.
Lookout For Telltale Signs
Take a proactive approach for house training your pup. Look out for telltale signs that your dog needs to use the bathroom. Some of these signs are:
- Barking and scratching at the door
- Moving in circles
- Sniffing around
- squatting
If you see the above signs, take your pup out to the bathroom spot immediately. Doing so will speed up the house training process for your dog.
House training is an important aspect of a dog’s wellbeing. For more information on dog health and general wellness, contact Autumn Trails and Veterinary Center. We are located in Charlottesville, VA.
