|
LITTER TRAINING YOUR PUPPY
|
Litter Training Your Puppy:
Below is a list of things I have learned that hopefully will help you continue the litter training I have started with your puppy.
1. Most important is feeding your puppy on a schedule. Feed twice a day, and don’t leave food out all the time. Also never feed your puppy table scraps, or people food.
2. Keep the litter box clean. Puppies won’t use a box if they think the litter is dirty. If you have a cat, try to have them use different litter boxes, and the smell of the litter box when a cat has used it will make your puppy not want to use the box.
3. Do not let your puppy loose in the house unattended until his litter box training is perfect. Let the puppy have one room, and when he is consistent for a week with NO accidents, add another room. When the puppy is consistent for a week with 2 rooms, and NO accidents, add another room. Don’t be hesitant to have more than one litter box while in the training phase. I always have a litter box in the same room the puppy is in. I also show them where it is, and put them in it, and praise them like they just won the Kentucky Derby. A litter box in each room is a good idea during the training period. DO NOT BE IN A BIG HURRY TO LET YOUR PUPPY HAVE THE RUN OF THE ENTIRE HOUSE. If it takes 6-12 months or longer for your puppy to be dependable in the entire house, that’s ok. That is a relatively short time in comparison to the many years you will enjoy with a completely potty trained companion.
4. When you can’t watch the puppy, put him in his crate or confined area with a litter box in it. This will give the puppy a place of his own, and is not a punishment. Provide toys and water so he has something to do.
5. When you leave the house, always put the puppy in his crate, or confined area you have prepared with toys, a litter box, and water.
6. Take water away at 7 PM, or 3 hours before bedtime, this will help your puppy be able to make it through the night without having to potty.
7. Remember that the first two weeks in his new home will establish the rules, so consistency and setting a good routine will have tremendous rewards when your puppy is dependable with his house training. The hard work will be worth it.
8. If your puppy has an accident, use either distilled vinegar, or a product called Natures Miracle (available in pet stores) to neutralize the smell. This will keep him from being drawn back to this spot again.
9. If your puppy has an accident and you don’t realize it until later, the damage is done, and punishing him at this time will only confuse him, and make him hide when he has to go. Positive reinforcement when he does the right thing, works much better than punishing him. When a puppy has to go, they don’t think about it until it is time to go. That is why if you are watching them, you can intervene, and get the puppy to their box, and lavish them with praise and maybe even a small treat for using the box.
10. Expect your puppy to challenge the idea of litter training at some point. Usually when they are 6-8 months old, they rebel (like a teenager). Just go back a step by keeping them in a confined area with a litter box when you can’t watch them. Reinforce with positive praise, and when they decide it is better to use the box because they get a treat or praise, they will go back to where they were before they decided not to use the box.
11. Litter training can be wonderful for cold climates, and people that work outside the home.
12. I have recently had some difficulty finding the Secondnature brand dog litter, so I have tried some other brands. I prefer to mix the Pine Pelleted Litters with a recycled paper type litter. This seems to me to give the maximum odor control, and also is very absorbent. I have links to the brands I use listed below. I also have purchased some of the Feline Pine litter boxes, and they are awesome. I highly recommend this type of litter box, but any litter box will work. When your puppy gets a little size to it, you may want to also get a little bigger litter box. If they start putting their front feet only in the litter box, it may be time to get a little bigger litter box, as they may feel cramped in the smaller litter box. The types of litter I have listed below can all be found at Walmart, Petco, or Petsmart, and even at some grocery stores.
13. Have fun with your puppy, watch the video on litter training, and call me or e-mail me if you have any questions. Good Luck
|
|
