House training a puppy is one of the most challenging parts of owning a pet. Not getting this part right when training your pet can lead to many problems later on. Your home can be impacted, your stress levels go up, and it can lead to you gibing up on your puppy. Behavioral problems such as eliminating inside are one of the top reasons why people give their dogs up. The sad fact is that this is preventable. Eliminating inside doesn’t happen because of a bad dog. It usually happens because of a bad trainer. If you’d like to learn how you can be a better trainer and owner to your puppy, keep reading for these eight tips to potty train your puppy.
1. Decide the Type of Training
There are several ways you can house train your puppy. The most common ways are crate training, paper training, and taking the puppy outside frequently. We’ll look at the pros and cons of each method.
Crate Training
Puppies are like toddlers. They will get into trouble when you’re not looking. It can only take a second for a puppy to have an accident or get into some other mischief. A crate can help you control the puppy when you’re not able to constantly monitor the puppy. It’s important to use the crate so it’s a positive experience for the puppy. It’s not a punishment tool.You can take the puppy outside every time you let them out of the crate. They’ll then start to associate potty time with being let out of the crate. Some people don’t like crate training because they feel that it’s cruel. Others argue that crates give puppies a sense of security.
Paper Training
This is an option if you’re at work all day and can’t get back for the puppy to get outside. In the best case scenario, puppies would learn to hold it in while indoors and then eliminate when they’re outside. Puppy pads or paper can be a good alternative to give the puppy an approved place to go when the need arises. The downside to paper training is that you’re training the puppy that its OK to go inside. When the rules change and the paper is taken away, the puppy may get confused.
Make Lots of Trips Outside
The last training option can create the ideal situation, but it’s not practical for many households. Puppies require a lot of attention and they require a lot of trips outside, even during the night. This method will teach them that outdoors is where they need to eliminate. If you do use this method, it’s best that you have a dog walker nearby or someone who can take the puppy out while you’re at work. No matter what method of training you use, be sure that it’s the one that allows you to be consistent in your training