Cattle

Archive for February 5th, 2008

Puppy toilet training can be a thankless task and if your puppy is persistently messing in the house, here are 5 tips that will help you out.

Take your Puppy For a Checkup

The first thing you should do is to take your puppy to the vet for a quick check up. There could be an underlying health problem that is making your puppy unable to control himself and that could be the reason for him messing in the house.

Have A Regular Feeding Pattern

Always have a regular feeding pattern for your puppy. Feed him at the same times each day and always pick up his food bowl when he has finished eating his meals. Take him outside to his toilet area around half hour after he has finished eating.

Give Your Puppy Regular Toilet Breaks

Take your Puppy outside to his toilet area at regular intervals. When he is a very young puppy you will need to take him outside every half hour to an hour as puppies have weak bladders. Also take him outside first thing in the morning, after he has eaten and after he has been running around. Watch out for the signs that your puppy needs to go to the toilet. If he starts sniffing the ground and going around in circles, this is a sure sign that he needs to go.

Clean Up Thoroughly

Always clean up thoroughly when your puppy has urinated or defecated indoors. Use a suitable cleaning fluid that will also remove any traces of smell as if any smell remains your puppy will continue to use that area as his toilet.

Use Positive Training

Always praise your puppy when he goes to the toilet in his designated toilet area. If you get angry and shout at your puppy when he messes in the house, you will make your puppy timid and nervous. This will have a negative effect on your relationship with your puppy. So give him lots of praise when he gets things right and reward him with treats and cuddles. If you catch your puppy going to the toilet indoors, say a firm NO and then pick him up and take him straight outside to his toilet area. When you give your puppy praise for getting things right you will find he will try his best to please you.

Consider Puppy Crate Training

If there are times when you have to leave your puppy at home unattended, you may wish to consider crate training your puppy. Once your puppy is crate trained, you can leave him at home unattended for short periods of time safe in the knowledge that your puppy won’t get up to any mischief.

Puppy toilet training doesn’t have to be a thankless task. If you follow the above advice you will soon have a toilet trained puppy and a messy house will be a thing of the past.