Potty Training Puppies - Choosing the Right Method

Potty training puppies is perhaps one of the more challenging aspects of dog training. It can be very frustrating in the first few weeks, but with proper execution of basic steps, the experience could be more bearable and less stressful. The idea is to first find out the available methods and based on the profile of the puppies, one appropriate method should be chosen. It would be quite tempting to use various methods and see which one works best, but the key success factor in training is consistency in methods being used. Changing the methods can only confuse the puppies and prolong the training period.

A careful observation of the puppies’ behavior in the first few weeks can give a general assessment on the possible method to use. Crate training is perhaps one of the more effective ways, but it does not always apply to all dog types. The reward method has always been effective because puppies (or any other pet for that matter) like to be rewarded for good behavior. Potty training puppies can start as early as 8 weeks (up to 12 weeks). The best bet for older dogs is the outdoor method. The downside is that it takes a bit of cleaning up after the deed has been done. The good thing is that the house would not reek of urine and dog feces.

Knowing a little bit about your breed of dog will help you to determine what the best method is for you to use. If your dog is from an aggressive breed, he may need much more exercise than he would get in a crate, so the outdoor method would be best.

The method to use in potty training puppies would greatly depend on the behavior of the puppies, especially after drinking and eating. This implies that there should be a regular feeding schedule so that the puppies would have to go at a certain time. This makes the behavior more predictable. Training certainly has some challenges but knowing the profile of dog breeds and observing their daily routine could speed up the training process and have them do their business at the designated place.