Helen@helshounds.co.uk +44(0)7356 072133
Steps to success when house training your pup!
Hel’s Hounds
So, you have picked up your new family member, you have got them home… and now you are staring at the most unholy of unholy messes in the most inconvenient places. Because that pupper may very well be totally adorable, but they are small and can get into the most unimaginable places in that bare 3 seconds you turned your back to get a cup of tea. Or your socks are soggy, and it is slowly dawning on you that no one has spilt a drink on the rug overnight.
This housetraining is much more complicated than it seems. So where do you go from here?
Management is key in the beginning. Make sure you don’t give your dog too much access too soon. Remember that they have often come from a small space, and now they have the whole house? That is just far to much to handle.
If you are using a crate, it should be just the right size; your pup should be able to stand up, turn and lay down, but not much else. In the short term, I would advise that pens be small, too. This means your pup cannot use one corner of their space as a toilet and still be completely comfortable in the remainder of the space.
Cleaning is essential; clean up as soon as possible, and use an enzyme cleaner or odour eliminator. An alternative to these is biological washing powders.
The results of my testing with Isaac, who has accidents overnight (he is 15 and possibly living with doggy dementia, so we forgive him the odd piddle), however, since moping the floors with biological washing powder, there are fewer puddles in the same places day after day suggesting that he is not just marking the same spots each night.
When you begin training, you want to set your dog up for a win. At Hel’s Hounds, we advocate for a combination of timetabled toilet breaks and umbilical cord methods.
Accidents will happen; try not to make this a negative experience for your dog; they are sensitive to your facial expression and tone of voice. You can inadvertently cause fear in your dog, causing them to hide the toileting behaviours in even more inconvenient places! -THE HORROR-
Every dog is unique. Some will pick up toilet training in the blink of an eye, being fully trained in a matter of a few weeks; others can take a few weeks to get their adorable, fluffy little heads around the concept of going potty outside in the grass.
And now we get to the methods. As I mentioned, I advocate a combination of methods.
Timetabling means to have a set list of times when your pup is going to be taken out to toilet. This list should include, but not be limited to
- After eating or drinking
- During and after excitement and play
- Upon waking
- When being let out of their crate
- After car journeys
- Before bed or naps
A very young pup may need to toilet every hour or more. You should watch your pup for indications that they need to relieve themselves. Such as sniffing intensely, sudden behaviour changes, or circling. You can use a record (a pup poop book, if you like) to help make the timetable fit your pup.
The umbilical cord method Is a method of training where the dog is under constant surveillance of the owner If they are not crated.
Now I understand that having your dog at your side constantly isn't always possible. There may not be someone home all the time, for example. In this case, having your dog in a crate is the next best alternative, or in a room that is small and easily cleaned. A bathroom, for example. However, regular potty breaks are still essential.
So how do I do it?
Step one: Now, I know that this is going to be a little unpopular, but you set that alarm. Every 30, 60, 90 mins, whatever is most appropriate for your pup’s age. This timer gets reset every time your puppy goes potty, only when they go potty.
Step 2: Gather your equipment. Your list of events that trigger a potty break, a light lead, and weatherproof equipment for you. And then you wait.
Step 3: Is it time to take the pupper out? Awesome, go do it! Take the lead and take them out. Take them to the same spot each time.
As hard as it may be you have to be disinterested in your pup. Read a book, play on your phone, count the birds in the tree, it doesn't matter. Just make your pup think you have forgotten them.
Step 5: Moving forward. As your pup grows, their bladder capacity increases as doses their ability to control their bowels. This means that your potty breaks can become less frequent. For every week that your pup is 100% accident free you can increase the time on the timer by 10-20 mins.
Plus, they should start to understand what the urges and feelings of a full bladder or the need to open their bowels mean and feel Like. This means that they can let you know when they need to go out. Awesome right? The timer is even closer to going in the bin unless it’s on your phone; then maybe just delete it?
Keep it up, and you will have a fully house-trained pupper in no time!
Step 4: Give your pup 10 mins.
Did they go? Then you win! Only joking, but it feels like it, right? Give that pupper the party they deserve, praise them, fuss them, and love on them; if your neighbours don’t think you are a little bit insane, then you probably aren't doing it right. Reward them as they finish or as close to the end of the motion as possible.
No go? Thats no problem, We knew this was going to be an uphill fight. Take the pup back inside and begin the umbilical Cord section of this whole, seemingly endless process again (I promise, it does end; you will get there!) you keep your dog within around 6ft of you. Hold the lead, attach it to your belt. But you must keep your eyes on your pup. If you can‘t, pick them up, sit them in your lap
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