Puppy Housebreaking Woes? Don't Give Up Be The Winner at Housebreaking Your Puppy
Sunday 29th October, 2006
Puppies are so delightful, fun to play with and so cuddly. You love the new puppy but are you feeling overwhelmed by what comes next?
It would be nice if all puppies came pre-trained. If they were no one would ever feel regret for adding them to their family or entertain the hope that someone else could take over housebreaking them. Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you have those feeling right now. If so, don't give up. Here are some helpful hints that might make the housebreaking of a puppy a little bit easier.
I have more than one Yorkie that I share my home with so I have done my share of lamenting over the housebreaking process. I've also cleaned up more than what I feel is my share of accidents and know well the frustration that goes along with potty training a new puppy.
Some puppies require almost no housebreaking are a wonderful surprise for a new owner. But too often the housebreaking process can be a battle. You have to come out the winner of this struggle. Every puppy has it's own personality and will learn at a speed that matches their level of maturity. A pup might be stubborn or might be eager to please. Some can seem almost hopeless, but every puppy is trainable...eventually as long as you don't give up during the process.
Here are a few hints to help you come out the winner:
- Buy a very good cleaner and a large supply of paper towels or rags (a Carpet Shampoo Machine might be helpful). Make sure to purchase a cleaner that is made to clean up Pet Waste and Urine. You will need to kill the germs that might be harm your pet and it will aid in removing the odor that attracts your puppy back to the same spot the next time. There are many different products out there to choose from.
- Next by a harness and leash. Make sure that the harness fits your puppy correctly. I prefer the soft harnesses that look like vests. They are a little more comfortable for your puppy. A collar will put pressure on their neck during the period of time while they are being trained to a leash. A harness does not put pressure on their neck. Get your puppy used to having the harness on and walking on a leash.
- Purchase a crate. I am a firm believer in crate training. Puppies can get into a lot of trouble if you don't keep them contained when you are not able to watch or play with them. Get them used to being in it at nap time and any other time when you are busy and can't monitor them. The crate will become their place of security. The puppy soon will learn that the crate is their place. Keep the door of the crate open when it is not being used and someday you will be looking all over for your pup and you will find them snuggled inside it asleep.
- This probably does not need to be mentioned. Toys are the first thing a new puppy owner looks at. That is ok because you will need a lot of toys. Puppies get bored with the same toy and sometimes you will need to have a different one to keep their attention. Make sure you don't get so busy housebreaking your precious little baby that you forget to enjoy the wonderful time you can spend playing with them.
- YOU CAN'T BUY THE NEXT ITEM...patience. Housebreaking a puppy can sometimes be a little discouraging. Don't give up. You have to stay the course. It is never to late at night and you are are never too tired. Remember this...Your puppy will potty somewhere no matter how you feel.
I have had the most sucess using leash training to housebreak a puppy. Sometimes a puppy will think that when you take them outside it is playtime not potty time. If you are outside with your puppy in bad weather it can be pretty upsetting to stand there and watch them take an investigative tour around the yard instead of sniffing out the exact spot to potty on. A leash will help stop that trait before it can start if you use it with a voice command. I have a 13 year old Yorkie that still responds to "go potty". It is not easy to take a puppy outside on a leash. You will have to deal with all kinds of weather. But if you keep at it, one day you will find that your precious pooch is house trained and you won.
If you decide that you don't want use leash training or are unable to take your puppy outside to relive itself here are a few products that might help.
- Puppy Pads - Sold almost everywhere they sell Pet Supplies. They are supposed to have a scent in them that persuades the pup to do it's business in that location. There are also frames that you can purchase to hold the pad in place. (I never personally had much success with this. My pups used them a few times but preferred to tear them up.)
- Dog Litter - Works on the same principle as Cat Litter. (I never had success with this one either. My pups ate it. I called the company to find out if it would hurt them to eat it but was told it wouldn't. All the same I discontinued using it since I didn't like them eating so much compressed paper.)
- Wizdog - Indoor Dog Potty - Wow!! Great New Product! - (I use this one myself) a revolutionary housetraining system for dogs. Consisting of a durable plastic pan and fitted grate, liquid waste dispenses through the grate onto newspaper or pee pad, separated from your dog's paws - No more wet paw tracks throughout your house! Go see for yourself - Wizdog.com a new revolutionary housetraining system for dogs. Consisting of a durable plastic pan and fitted grate, liquid waste dispenses through the grate onto newspaper or pee pad, separated from your dog's paws - No more wet paw tracks throughout your house!
Don't allow yourself to get discouraged or entertain thoughts of giving up. You can't let your puppy win the battle? Persevere and one day you will see that you are the winner! Don't forget to praise your puppy, even after they are grown. Praise is one of your most important tools for sucess. Dogs live only to please you if trained correctly!
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