House training

Soiling is the main reason why people abandon their cats and dogs. Learning to urinate and defecate in the right place is a crucial thing for them to know in order to have a lasting relationship with you. It is also important to maintain a clean home!

Don’t worry, this is not an impossible mountain to climb, but like any learning process there are some rules to master in order to reach your goal. Here are the main rules that can help you in order to anticipate when your puppy will need to go outside.

• First, pick the spot where you want your puppy to urinate and defecate, and take him there often.
• The best times to take your puppy outside are:
  • When they wake up (morning and after a nap);
  • After the puppy eats or drinks (right after and 30 minutes later);
  • After play time;
  • After being in the crate;
  • Before going to bed.

These are the moments when we should pay extra attention!

• Also, keep in mind that they have to develop the capacity to hold it in. Typically, a puppy can hold it in for as many hours as his age in months, plus an hour (age in months + 1 hour). For example, a 4-month-old puppy can hold it in for 5 hours. Let’s be realistic… Nobody wants to spend 10 hours without a bathroom break, and neither does your dog.

To prevent accidents, keep an eye on your pup while they freely roam the house. As soon as they show signs of wanting to go, simply bring them to the right place. Sniffing the ground, whining, pacing, and walking away from an interaction can be key signs. When it is not possible to monitor your puppy closely, it is best to limit their play space to prevent accidents. This can be achieved by leashing or crating the puppy.

For an animal to reproduce a behaviour it needs to have a pay off. The simple act of urinating or defecating is a relief in itself so it reinforces the behaviour. However, for the puppy to do it at the chosen spot it must be even more rewarding. It is important to reward the puppy with a treat immediately after they urinate and defecate.

The best treat is a healthy food item that is non-toxic and something that your pup loves – it will be up to their preference. For example, some dogs are happy to get some kibbles and others will prefer dried liver treats.

If there is an accident (and accidents do happen) there is no need to punish your puppy. Clean the soiled spot thoroughly, with an enzyme-based cleaner that neutralizes odours, to limit the risk of the puppy doing it again at the same spot.

To prevent future accidents you may want to monitor the puppy closely, bring them outside more often, and make sure you have realistic expectations.

The dog asks for the door, but comes back quickly without doing anything

The reward is associated with the last action completed. If you wait for the puppy to get back inside, they will associate the reward with the act of coming back inside and not the urinating or defecating outside. That explains why it is important to walk outside with the puppy and to reward them as soon as they are done. This way it will be much easier for the puppy to associate the behaviour with the reward.

By paying more attention to your puppy’s needs in the beginning you will better understand their language. This way, you can be one step ahead when they need to go outside. By giving a reward you highlight the good behaviour and help them learn. You are also investing in a long-lasting relationship with your new family member!