Potty Training

Potty Training
New Puppy Handbook On Potty Training

Table Of Contents
The Best Time To Feed Your New Puppy . . .. . 2
Dog Foods Effect On Potty Training . . . . . . . . .2
The Warning Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … . 3
Stay In Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …. ..3
Naps and Play Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …. . . . 4
About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …. . . 5

The Best Time To Feed Your New Puppy

I advise people, with new puppies, to not feed their puppy breakfast and then jump in the shower. If you do, there will be a surprise waiting for you when you get out. Likewise, I tell people not to feed their puppy dinner and then sit down at the computer to answer e-mail, surf the net or other computer activities. Computers are like a black hold, one that sucks your time away, and before you know it your puppy has had an accident.
Becoming distracted, after feeding your puppy, can lead to accidents and feelings of failure. It is best to only feed your puppy when you can give him/her your full attention. Plan on donating 15 – 30 minutes to potty training each time your puppy is fed. Pick a routine that works best with your schedule and keep to it. The two most important things to remember in potty training and feeding are: discipline and consistency.

Dog Foods Effect On Potty Training

Over the years I have tried just about every brand of dog food on the market and it is my opinion that unless there is a medical condition that requires a special diet, that most commercial brand dog foods are safe for your new puppy.
To begin with, it is a good idea to talk to your breeder, pet store, or previous puppy owner to find out what they have been feeding the puppy. If possible I suggest that you continue feeding your puppy the same food she has been use to eating. However, if you have strong feelings about feeding your dog a certain diet, or if you puppy has been perviously on a diet of canned or soft food only, then it is a good idea to wean him/her off the old diet and begin a new diet of dry kibble.

A word of warning

Any sudden change in a puppy’s diet can cause diarrhea! There is nothing more frustrating than a untrained puppy that has diarrhea, therefore rather than suddenly changing the brand of food you feed your puppy, it is best to follow the following schedule:

Day One – For each meal – feed your puppy 2/3 of a cup of the food he/she has been use to eating mixed with 1/3 cup of the new food you what to switch him/her too.
Day Two – For each meal – feed your puppy 1/2 of a cup of the food he/she has been use to eating mixed with 1/2 cup on the new food you want to switch him/her too.
Day Three – Now you can eliminate the old food and only feed your puppy the new brand of dog food you have selected for him/her.

The Warning Signs

If you notice your new puppy walking in circles, sniffing at the carpet, and acting like he/she is looking for something – chances are he is. He is, more than likely, looking for a place to potty. Most dogs have little tell-tell signs that show when he need to relieve himself. I once had a pug that wouldn’t go potty in public. We took him on a 2 mile hike, for a fundraiser, and stopped several times during the walk for him to relieve himself. however; true to his nature, he just couldn’t do his “business” in public. He waited until we got home, later that day, to go in his normal spot How the bushes next to our driveway.
Watch your puppy, get to know his tell-tell signs – and he will show you when he needs to relieve himself. the put I mentioned earlier – his tell-tell sign was what I called a, “hitch in his get along”, meaning that he would have a little twitch in his walk that wasn’t there normally (when he didn’t have to relieve himself).

Stay In Control

I always advice my puppy buyers to keep their new puppy on a leash until after they have been trained. Having your puppy on a leash serves several purposes. One purpose is to know where your puppy is – if there is a leash hanging out from the side of your bed, chances are your puppy is under the bed – doing Lord knows what. If your puppy is prone to running out the front door, when it is opened, you probably will have a hard time catching him, but something you can do is step on the leash as it drags behind your fleeing puppy – stopping him in his tracks.

Outside

For the purpose of potty training it is best to keep your puppy on a leash, when he is taken outside, so that he does not become too distracted and forget why is there. It is a big exciting world outside with lots of distractions – sounds, smells, and things to chase. If your puppy is allowed too much freedom, during potty time, he/she will; chase butterflies, eat grass, smell flowers etc and forget all about going potty. Once you take him back inside the house there is a good chance he will settle down and then suddenly remember that he has to potty. I receive a lot of calls from frustrated owners claiming that their dog will relieve himself in the house after being let out.

The Power of Praise

Once your puppy has relieved himself outside, praise him and take him immediately back inside the house. Never let him stay outside to play after he goes potty. If you want to play outside or go for a walk, after your puppy has relieved himself, my advise is to take him back inside the house for a few minutes, after he has relieved himself, then go back outside to play. Following this routine with help your puppy learn the difference between potty time and play time.

Naps and Play Time

All puppies need to relieve themselves after sleeping. Most new puppies sleep for 1-1/2 – 2 hrs for every 20 – 30 minutes of being awake. As soon as your puppy wakes up from one of these naps, he/she will need to be taken outside. It is also a good idea to take your puppy outside to relieve himself after vigorous play. Most puppies can hold their bladder for 1 hr for every month of their age. With this in mind, an 8 week (2 month) old puppy should be able to hold their bladder for no more than 2 hrs.

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