I love getting a new puppy.
However, it is no fun having to clean up mistakes on the floor. In order to teach a puppy to go potty outside, keep him in his crate if you are unable to watch him during the day and at night. As soon as your puppy wakes up, finishes eating or playing, or you come home, take your puppy outside on leash. Yes on leash!
The leash should be a regular leash and not a retractable one. A retractable leash teaches a puppy to pull on the leash. In addition, puppies are harder to control when they are on a retractable leash. I prefer a 4-6 foot leash made of rope or something similar.
Potty Training
| Get your puppy use to potting on the leash AND teach him the appropriate place in your yard to potty. Yes take your puppy to the same area every day to potty. Over time he will learn to potty in that area. The habits you build now will enhance your success later.
When taking your puppy out to potty, choose a keyword or phrase such as “Outside!” or “Go Potty!” and use it every time you take your puppy outside to potty. Being consistent with commands and criteria will increase the chances that that your puppy or dog will learn to potty outside. Keep in mind that young puppies have limited bladder control and that you cannot expect them to refrain from peeing or pooping for long periods. It is important to get your puppy out as often as possible such as when waking up, after eating or playing and before bedtime. |
| The crate you choose should be sized so your puppy can move around easily. You do not want the crate to be so large that your puppy can potty on one end and sleep in the other. I prefer a closed or plastic kennel (crate) opposed to an open wire one. Accidents do happen and the plastic ones are easier to clean. Something like this is a good size.
Crates are relatively inexpensive so I usually give my puppy crate to the local pet shelter when my puppy grows too big for the crate. |