From the age of three weeks, puppies begin to leave the nest to relieve themselves. This natural tendency to toilet plays into our hands when it comes to training your puppy, but it's important to take advantage of it!
Several factors can influence the evolution of potty training in dogs: the age of the animal when it arrives at home, the breed, the place where the puppy comes from, the breeder's work and the training method used. Since you can't change some of these factors, it's best to make sure you have a good housebreaking method right from the start. Here are a few tips to guide you.
1) Find out where your puppy can relieve himself and bring him along often.
As soon as your new companion arrives, choose the place where you want him to relieve himself. During the training period, take your pet out every 30 minutes, whether he wants to or not. Take him to the designated area and wait a few minutes to give him time to relieve himself.
2) Reward your puppy after every good move.
Whenever your puppy relieves himself in the right place, reward him immediately. Your puppy should associate the reward with the action of relieving himself in that place.
3) Pay attention.
Does your puppy wander off a bit and start smelling the ground? Take him immediately to the place you've determined. This behaviour is often a sign that the animal needs to relieve itself and that it's looking for the ideal place to do so! Now's the time to show him again where you want him to go.
4) React to deviations, but not too loudly!
If your new companion relieves himself elsewhere than in the prescribed place (and it will happen), there's no point in correcting him by sticking his nose in his mess. Instead, show him where you want him to relieve himself and be more vigilant in the future. If you catch your puppy in the act, clap your hands to surprise and interrupt him. Then quickly take him to the appropriate place. If he does his business there, don't forget to reward him!
5) Respect your dog's ability to hold back (or adjust your expectations accordingly).
A puppy's ability to hold back is not infinite. To get an idea of how long your companion can hold back, add two to his age in months. For example, if your puppy is two months old, that means he can hold it for four hours (2 + 2 months = 4 hours).
6) Show patience and love!
Toilet training requires patience, but also love, because let's face it, you have to love your little companion a lot to get through this laborious stage in a dog's life!
7) Don't hesitate to ask a vet for advice.
If, despite your efforts, your puppy still isn’t housebroken, don’t hesitate to consult a veterinarian. They can identify any underlying issues and provide personalized advice tailored to your dog’s needs.