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Getting a puppy is really exciting. They make great companions, but you do need to help them form good habits quickly to make sure they’re on their best behaviour. One of the trickiest tasks is training your adorable pooch to go to the toilet outside. You should start from about eight weeks old or later. When dogs are young and don’t understand, they’re bound to have a few accidents, so you need to be patient and supportive. But don’t worry, there are a few simple steps you can take to help toilet train your puppy.
1 Choose a toilet spot
First things first, you need to decide where’s the right place for your dog to go to the loo. Of course, the best location is outside. However, when you initially begin toilet training, and your dog wees a lot or if you live in a flat (without quick access to a garden) you might need to use puppy pads. These are moisture absorbent pads, a bit like nappies, that you place on the floor in different areas/rooms. They’re easy to dispose of but eventually you’ll need them to break the habit and move outside. If you choose outside straight away, regularly lead your puppy to the desired area and surface (gravel, cement, grass) in your garden or while on a walk.
2 Watch their behaviour
You’ll obviously know once your dog has made a mess. But it’s more important that you learn how they behave just before they go to the toilet. If you spot the tell-tale signs that they need a wee or poo, you can take them to the right toilet spot before they have an accident. Keep an eye out for:
3 Make a routine
Toilet training and building habits requires consistency. This is because a consistent and clear routine lets your puppy know what to expect, making them feel more secure and confident. To do this, you need to take your dog outside at key moments throughout the day. For example, as soon as they wake up in the morning, after eating, drinking and exercise and immediately before you put them to bed. On top of this, give them plenty of other chances to go outside – every 45 mins to an hour – to limit the risk of indoor accidents.
4 Talk to them
When your dog acts as if it needs the toilet or starts to go, say a word like ‘toilet’, ‘wee’ or ‘poo’. Saying these words regularly when they go to the toilet will help them associate it with the correct behaviour. That means in the future when you say toilet, they’ll understand and feel encouraged.
5 Deal with accidents
When an accident happens, the worst thing you can do is punish them. Don’t shout or rub their nose in the mess as they won’t understand. It will only make your dog more anxious about toilet training. Instead, interrupt them by calling their name or clapping and moving them to the right area. Regular accidents could be the symptom of a health condition so monitor their behaviour and contact your vet if you’re concerned.
6 Clean up safely
To tidy up, you’ll need to invest in a special cleaner for dog urine and faeces. Enzyme cleaners are the most effective option as they completely eliminate the bad bacteria which causes stains and smells. Choose a product, like Bio oneTM, which is natural and non-toxic so it’s safe for use around pets. Enzyme cleaners are better than traditional products as some household disinfects contain ammonia which may encourage your dog to wee in that area.
7 Reward good behaviour
When your pooch goes to the loo in the right spot, you need to reward them immediately. First off, praise them verbally by saying ‘well done’ or ‘good girl/boy’. Puppies aim to please so they love to hear praise from their owners and it can be even more powerful than a treat. You can also reward them with food (ideally healthy) that they like, their favourite toy or by playing with them. Rewarding your puppy will make going to the toilet a pleasant experience for them.
Resources:
Dog Urine Cleaner - Telegraph
Dog Odour Remover - HackMD
Odour Remover - Family.blog
