How to Potty Train A Puppy

Knowing how to potty train a puppy is crucial! You may have just brought a brand-new puppy home and he is so adorable! However, you enjoy having a clean home and you really like your sofa, chairs and carpet and don't want them ruined. So what are you going to do now?

Well, the first thing you're going to have to do is prevent your puppy from destroying your home by going potty wherever he wants to go. How are you going to do that? By potty train puppy to go where he's supposed to go, of course!

You need to be aware of the fact that dogs are creatures of habits and you can work with that. You'll need to teach your puppy habits you want him to have instead of letting him create his own. You also need to realize your puppy's limitations. He has a very small bladder and can't hold it for very long. So be understanding and patient with your new pal.

For example, don't scream at your puppy if he should have an accident. Be patient. If your new puppy goes potty on the living room carpet, gently tell him "no" and pick him up and place him where you do want him to go potty. Then say, "Go potty here" or some other words of your choice.

It's a good idea to use a crate to train your puppy because dogs don't like to mess in a confined living space where they sleep. You can also use a dog playpen.

Realize that your puppy has certain times when he is most likely to go potty. In the morning when your puppy first wakes up, he's going to want to relieve himself. Your puppy will also want to do so after breakfast or any other meal time. Your puppy will need to be taken out to go potty before going to bed at night. After your puppy has been playing a while, that may activate him and he may want to go potty right away.

You need to closely supervise your new pet and praise him if he should urinate or defecate outside and gently but sternly correct him if he should go potty inside. You should praise your puppy if he should go in the right place because he desperately wants your approval.

As you learn how to potty train a dog, there are some ways that you can tell if your puppy is about ready to go to the bathroom. He may wander off or start sniffing and circling around. He may stand at the door.

You need to be patient, kind and spend the necessary time to train your puppy to go where you want him to go. As you learn these and other dog training potty techniques, you'll eventually be rewarded with a delightful companion who doesn't destroy your home.