HOUSE TRAINING YOUR PUP

House training your pup is one of the more exhausting and tedious tasks humans undertake when bringing a new puppy home. I’m not going to sugarcoat it: cleaning up messes, picking up poo, constant supervision, and waking up in the morning only to step into a 'puddle' aren't exactly the highlights of puppyhood.

Like most things in life, there are no magic solutions or shortcuts to bypass this stage. It’s essential to remember that for your puppy, this is a massive learning process that depends on their physical development, their ability to understand your cues, and most importantly, your patience and love.

There are, however, proven methods that will help you navigate this phase efficiently. If you follow them consistently, this stage will be over before you know it. Believe me, once you conquer this hurdle and truly start enjoying your dog, you’ll forget how tedious it was, you might even start dreaming about bringing a second or third puppy home!

"I get it, I get it. No shortcuts. But seriously... where do I even begin with this?"

1. Establish a routine and stick to it until your pup gets it.

   
   

What I mean is this: to start this journey on the right foot, your puppy needs a rock-solid routine. Dogs learn through repetition. But before you can train the dog, you need to look at your own schedule. Write down your daily life: what time you wake up, go to work, take breaks, and eat. Factor in your hobbies, your kids, your partner, and anyone else who will be involved in your dog’s life.

The goal here is simple: we want your pup to adapt to your way of life so that you can both thrive together.

Only once you have your own routine down can you introduce your "doggie schedule" based on the following reality: for the first few months, a puppy is just like a human baby. Their life consists of: Sleep, wake up, pee/poo, eat, pee/poo, play, pee/poo, and repeat all day (and night) long.

The secret to success is getting the timing right between these activities. Since you’re still getting to know your new best friend, you’ll need to watch them like a hawk until you’ve mastered their internal clock.

So, basically, after every single activity, you have a window of time, and depending on your dog, that window could be anywhere from 1 minute to 30 minutes. This is your 'red zone' where you must get your pup outside so they can do their business in the right spot.

Telltale signs your puppy is about to go:

You don't need a crystal ball to know when it’s time, you just need to know what to look for! These behaviors are your puppy's way of saying: "I've gotta go!"

• Sniffing: If their nose is glued to the floor like they're searching for lost treasure, take note.

• The "Circle Dance": If they start spinning or circling in one spot, they are "scouting" for the perfect place to go.

• Whining or Restlessness: If they suddenly can't settle down or start pacing, their bladder might be full.

• Abrupt Changes in Activity: If your pup is mid-play and suddenly stops or bolts toward a corner, that is your cue to run outside immediately!

Remember: your puppy is still discovering how their own body works! At this stage, they aren't even fully conscious of the 'urge' to go until it’s already happening. They don't have a plan; they just feel the sensation and react. It takes time for those physical signals to travel from their bladder to their brain, so until that connection is fully developed, they are relying entirely on you to be their guide.

2. Accidents will happen

It’s naturally going to be annoying and frustrating to have to clean up after your pup time and time again.

Nonetheless, you must clean up properly and do a thorough job. Don't forget that your puppy has a super-powered nose; if they can still smell even a faint trace of a previous accident, they will return to mark that same spot again.

This is why I've created a special post on Instagram, where you can find my Top 5 recommendations for effective, homemade products to safely and completely clean up after your dog.

3. Timing

As your puppy grows, the time frames between potty breaks will naturally increase. This gives you more breathing room, reduces your stress, and most importantly, leads to fewer accidents.

While you can find general guidelines based on age, remember that these aren't exact rules. The timing will vary depending on your puppy's breed, size, and unique personality. Just like children, every puppy has their own rhythm. Some might 'get it' in a week, while others need a little more time and patience. Trust the process, and stay consistent!

Oopsie... Sorry, not my fault. Can't control yet!

4. Correcting accidents

Scolding or "grounding" your dog after you find an accident will have little to no positive effect on their learning. Your puppy simply won't make the connection between your anger and something they did minutes ago.

Timing is everything in training. You only have about 3 to 5 seconds to praise the right behaviour.

So,

• If you find an accident after the fact: Don’t get angry. Just clean the spot thoroughly.

• If you catch them in the act: Gently interrupt them and move them immediately to the right spot outside.

• If you’re lucky enough to catch the "warning signs": Gently scoop up your pup, run outside, and wait for them to finish there.

  
  

The Golden Rule: Praise, Praise, Praise!

The moment they finish in the right spot, celebrate!

Reward them immediately.

Positive reinforcement has been proven time and time again to be the most effective way to learn, not just for dogs, but for every animal in the world, including humans!

So, fill yourself with patience, kindness, and love during this stage. Trust me, your pup will get it soon enough!

And if you ever find yourself feeling like giving up, remember that you are not alone. I am here to help you through this process. Whether you need more tips, a bit of encouragement, or professional guidance, don't hesitate to reach out. We've got this!