Introduction to House Training

The 5 Biggest Potty Training Mistakes

New clients often come to us because their puppies are not getting the hang of potty training. Upon investigation, we find out that they are doing a number of things wrong so their puppies are misunderstanding what is expected of them.

The top five potty-training errors owners make are:

1. Scolding or punishing their pup for peeing or pooping in the house. Unless they are caught in the act, puppies will not understand why they are being punished. Even if they are caught in the act, unless they are over a year of age and fully
   understand potty training, punishing your puppy will just make them fearful and anxious. Researchers estimate that if your response—either positive or negative—does not occur within 3 seconds of a dog’s action, it will have no idea that the two are related. All punishment does is make dogs fearful of and stressed by their owners, determined to hide their pee and poop in the house, and convinced they live with crazy people.
2. Taking their puppy out at fixed intervals, usually every hour. This develops what we call a “one-hour bladder” and does not enable the puppy’s muscles to hold it longer.
3. Not cleaning accidents up thoroughly so your pup cannot smell it. Remember a puppy’s sense of smell is much better than ours and dogs are drawn to investigate pee and poop. So, if you do not clean up well, your puppy is likely to keep going in that same spot.
4. Giving too much freedom to their puppy too soon. As puppy owners, we are always in a hurry! We know it is better to have a potty-trained dog than to be in the midst of potty training a puppy. Be patient! Too much freedom too soon will set your puppy back for weeks or months.
5. And the #1 reason that puppies do not get fully potty trained is… Not using a crate or pen for potty training their puppy, thus giving the puppy the opportunity to easily move away from its immediate living area to pee or poop. Confining your puppy’s living space is the only way to succeed at potty training.

Remember, just as you finish potty training your puppy, your puppy will be a teenager. During adolescence, dogs tend to chew, explore and destroy things more than they did as young puppies. They have increased energy and curiosity with a tinge of independence. So, don’t put those crates and ex-pens away too soon. You’ll be needing them for a while!

Potty Training Is Natural To Dogs

Our dogs are amazing! Early in their lives, the vast majority of dogs not only learn to pee and poop where and when we want them to but they can also “hold it” for many hours, far longer than we can. They are truly remarkable!

Cleanliness Is Natural

Dogs are able to learn to be potty trained because of their natural desire to keep their immediate living area clean. Thus, potty training is based on gradually giving a puppy more and more space as she is able to physically and mentally handle it.

Early Habits Are Key

Since dogs are creatures of habit, establishing the potty-training habit right from the start goes a long way in ensuring your puppy becomes a trustworthy dog, one that is a pleasure to live with.

Potty Training Builds Better Relationships

Not only will you be happier when your puppy is potty trained but your pup will be happier, too! Once potty-trained, your dog will:

• be confident that you will be happy to see her when you come home
• be able to communicate her needs to you and in turn be confident that you will understand and respond to them
• not feel that she is disappointing you
• not get punished for things she does not understand or cannot do
• enjoy having freedom in the house with you
• be able to participate more in your life
• be welcome in other people’s homes

Puppy Potty Training Solution

• Review Avidog’s Puppy Potty Training Solution Module 1
• Review Avidog’s Puppy Potty Training Solution Module 2