How to House Train a Puppy
Seeing your puppy grow right before your eyes can be gratifying, especially if you are a true blue dog lover. You’re bound to discover a handful of things about your pet through the years. If you want to let your puppy stay indoors though, you need to come up with a successful house training program. It is vital for the puppy to learn these habits because once they are ingrained, they can last for a lifetime. To successfully house train your dog, here are a few tips you can try:
Consult your vet.
Your puppy’s general state of health is crucial, especially if you’re in the early stages of house training. Present conditions like bladder infections can block progress and can prevent your pet from learning even the most basic set of skills. Secure a clean bill of health from your veterinarian at least two days before taking your pet home.
Maintain a regular schedule.
After eating, drinking and roaming around your home the entire day, your puppy will need to urinate. Usually, puppies that are over 10 weeks of age urinate five to 10 times a day, or even more. You should also keep a regular feeding schedule since what’s goes in on schedule also comes out on schedule.
Crate train your puppy.
training a puppyMake sure that your puppy is fully supervised at home. If you’ll be leaving your house, you should confine your pet in a crate. It’s important to choose one that is big enough for your puppy to sit down, stand up, and turn around.
You should use a crate properly for it to be efficient. If introduced early and appropriately, crate training can prevent house training accidents and maintain the cleanliness of your home. Just remember not to use it for punishment and for extended amounts of time for it to be effective.
Use an enzyme-based deodorizer.
To eliminate all traces of odor such as urine, you should use an enzyme-based deodorizer. Dogs are usually tempted to urinate in places they’ve marked and been to before, so cover up that stinking odor. Do not use ammonia-based cleaners because they can break down to urea, a component of urine.
Do not punish your puppy.
Punishment should never be used in house training your puppy since it can be physically and mentally harmful. If for instance, you catch you puppy in the act, a simple handclap can help your pet realize the mistake enabling it to rush outdoors to finish the deed. Ask the help of your family members, especially if you’re not yet around. Hitting your puppy and raising your voice unnecessarily will only make your pet fear you and avoid you.
Consider other factors.
Most puppies can only be properly trained when they’re six months to a year old. There are also a number of other factors that can affect your training such as climate changes, teething, and food replacement.
With the proper guidance, enough time and patience, you will reap the rewards of your house training. By setting the limitations right from the start, your puppy will be trained to urinate only at the proper designated places in your house.