Puppy potty training – All the things you have to know

Puppy potty training – All the things you have to know

We all love our pets. But the process of training them can be excruciating at times. This is especially true when it comes to puppy potty training.

Unlike most types of training which you can either choose to do or skip all together, potty training is a necessity. It is something that will create a long-lasting bond between you and your dog. Together with eating, it represents the most important process in your dog’s life. In fact, this is one of those occasions where you have to show him or her, who the boss is.

Why do we potty train our puppies?

The first and main reason is obvious: you don’t want your dog to pee and poop all over the place.

But there is much more to it than meets the eye. Potty training is one of those things that establishes the master-dog relationship. Here, I am not referring to anything negative but rather I am talking about the fact that your dog will need guidance over the course of its life and potty training is one of the first occasions that allows you to establish this kind of relationship.

If your dog is unable to listen to simple commands issued prior to pooping or peeing, you will have a lot of issues with the process. This leads to disobedience and lack of control later on. In other words, you may end up with a dog that creates havoc all over the place and it will pretty much be your own fault.

However, when going to potty, your dog also sees you as a provider. You are the one that allows him or her to go out and facilitate the process. In your dog’s eyes this is very important. As the time goes by, your dog will learn that the only way to pee or poo is by going outside. It will become a habit. You will always be there to help your dog complete its natural processes and as such, you will be perceived as a friend. To do puppy training with your puppy will give you both a bond of trust, he/she trusts you to understand their actions and what they need, and you trust them to emote that to you so you both can live/work in harmony.

Potty training basics

Although I talked a lot about dog-master relationship, this is not the basis of potty training. In fact, I would strongly encourage that you avoid any forceful or bullying behavior. This can only lead to trauma and can lead to some negative mental manifestations. Instead, try to be reasonable and patient. It is the same as with little kids. Choosing to discipline and give a little slap on the behind should only be used in extreme situations when the dog is testing its boundaries. Even then you need to be very gentle because the line is really thin.

You are the one that needs to anticipate your dog’s needs. Based on your dog’s size, you will have to go out more often or a little less. Larger dogs need to pee a little less as their organs are bigger. Nevertheless, all dogs need to go out in the morning. You should also take your dog outside in the late evening, prior to sleeping. This way you can prevent any accidents during the night.

Dogs usually need to poo after a big meal. Sometimes, they will need 10 minutes to digest the food and sometimes it will take longer. At first, go out preemptively after the lunch and wait for your dog to relieve him or herself. If you notice that your dog or puppy needs more time for the digestion process, you can take this as a sign to not rush out right afterward they eat and instead wait about 10 minutes or so.

You already have to be outside when your dog needs to pee or poo, Otherwise, there is a chance that your puppy will not be able to hold it in. If the dog starts barking, scratching at the door or walking in circles, it is a clear indication that it is in a rush and needs to go out immediately.

With these short tips, you will be able to potty train your puppy like a pro!