Dog Potty Training Basics

Crate training is easy when you understand that basically dogs are really clean animals. In the whelping box a puppy will crawl away from the sleeping area to a place they chose as a potty area.

Using their natural instinct makes it easy to use a small cage to start you dog potty training. If you have gotten your cage with a divider that can be adjusted before you have acquired your pup will make it easy. The inside of the cage should be no bigger than an area that the puppy can stand and easily turn around in, but not big enough that he can use a corner to mess in.

How can you encourage your pup to make the cage its home?

Start your dog potty training right away. If at all possible acquire a familiar piece of the bedding from the breeder, and place in the cage along with other pads or towels.

The puppy needs to feel safe and at home. Intice the puppy into the cage with a treat. If it is tired it should go right to sleep. You may have to stay with the puppy maybe 10 minutes while it quiets down.

Never yell or raise your voice while your pup or dog is in the cage. You want it to associate the cage with happy, peaceful private times. It knows very little commands, so be gentle.

You can learn more about dog potty training and training your dog or puppy for over 25 bad habits that puppies and dogs develop. Get started now and have a well behaved, trained dog. Click here for your dog training guide

Crate training needs to be the first step to positive dog potty training. If the puppy is happy he will train easier. By raising your voice or scolding it, this will only cause confusion but also distort what you are really trying to teach it and accomplish the bond that needs to be formed between you. Quite often the way that a pup is potty trained sets the stage for you and your dogs future relationship.

When the pup wakes up and whines don't hesitate, take it immediately to a place outside that you have designated as its potty place. Do not speak a lot to the pup, but after it has done its designated job, then praise and pet it lavishly, take it back in.

Night time and puppy potty training

If at night you might want to set the cage on a chair or something close to your bed. Turn the lights out. If the puppy fusses then you can poke your fingers in through the wire so that he can lick your fingers and talk softly to him.

Your puppy will whine and let you know when it needs to go potty. Take it right out to the designated spot. After it is through, praise and pet, but do not get into a play session with him. Bring him back to the cage; turn out the lights so that he will go right to sleep.

A puppy of 6-14 weeks can only hold their pee for about 4 hours.

You may have to set an alarm to get up. If you sleep through their whining and they have an accident in their bed, remember it is not their fault, don't scold or raise your voice, or make a fuss, just change their bed.

Get up and take them out as usual and then put clean bedding in, turn out the light and go back to sleep. Just 2-3 nights and the puppy will be used to the routine. As the dog gets older you will be able to place the cage on the floor and in other areas of the house.

Clean the cage well, especially if the dog has pottied in it. A good urine neutralizer is a light mixture of vinegar and water; you should not leave the odor in the cage. Wipe down then rinse with water.

For some if fecal matter from the original dog potty place can be gotten to place in its new puppy toilet area, it will associate all the faster what you want it to do.

Never praise the dog if it has not done what you want it to do. This only confuses its perception of what to do to please you. After a few times of this it will begin to understand what you want. Keep potty time as strict business and not a time to play verbally or physically with your pup or dog.

As the muscles quickly strengthen for holding its bladder then longer periods of time between needing to go potty will occur. A puppy is like a baby only much easier to potty train.

You can learn more about dog potty training and training your dog or puppy for over 25 bad habits that puppies and dogs develop. Get started now and have a well behaved, trained dog. Click here for your dog training guide