Call it what you will — potty training, house training or house breaking — potty training a puppy is one thing that most new dog owners don’t look forward to. This is probably because they’re not sure where to start. After all, each person you ask will probably give you different advice on how to potty train your new dog.

Don’t despair. I’ve got six tips that you can use to make the house training process a lot easier on you and your new puppy.

Tip #1: Feed Your Puppy At The Same Times Each Day

A lot of dog owners prefer free feeding to set feeding times. Free feeding means leaving a bowl of food out all day so your dog can eat whenever he gets hungry. This can work well with older dogs, but when you’re house training a new puppy or dog it’s much better to feed him a specific times, following a set schedule.

Most dogs need to go potty after eating. By having a set schedule, you can control when your dog eats and know when he will need to go potty. You’ll have fewer accidents if you follow this important tip.

Tip #2: Help Your Puppy Succeed By Following A Potty Schedule

Following a feeding schedule will help you get started with this. You should take your new puppy out after every meal, and also a few more times each day. If possible, try to make these extra potty trips at the same time each day.

By following a potty break schedule, you’ll remember to get your new puppy outside during the day. Puppies thrive on schedules because they give them a real sense of security. When they don’t know what to expect from day to day, puppies become anxious. This anxiety can easily lead to digestive problems – and that makes the whole house training process much harder.

Tip #3: Choose A “Potty Time” Command

Pick a command word that you are comfortable using — no matter where you are or who you’re with. Here are a few common commands: “potty” “go potty” “go peepee” and “tinkle.”

Once you choose a command, start saying it every time you want your new dog to go potty. In the beginning, don’t say it unless you are standing right where you want him to go. As he grows, you can open the door and give the command. He’ll run outside all on his own and go potty right where you want him to.

Tip #4: When Your Dog Has An Accident, Don’t Scold Or Yell At Him

You have to be realistic. Every new puppy will have accidents – some more than others. When it happens, it’s important to remain calm. You shouldn’t yell at him and under no circumstance should you rub his nose in it. This is an “old-school” technique that we now know does NOT work. It just confuses your puppy.

Making your dog feel that going potty is bad isn’t going to help. Your dog can’t help himself – when he’s got to go, he’s got to go! What you need to teach him instead, is that good things happen when he goes potty in the right place, which leads us to the next tip

Tip #5: Always Praise and Reward Your Puppy When He’s Successful

It’s just as important to reward your puppy when he goes potty correctly as it is when he does a “sit” any other command.

It’s a good habit to combine sincere praise with some kind of reward. Rewards can be showing him love and affection, giving him a tasty treat, or spending a few minutes playing with him. Whatever you choose, it’s vital that your puppy is rewarded immediately so he remembers that going potty means getting a reward.

To start, be sure to praise him verbally while he’s actually going potty. Use a friendly, happy voice and say “Good boy! Good potty!” As soon as he’s finished, immediately give him the reward. You can toss his favorite ball for a game of fetch, or if you’re on a walk, bounce it and let him catch it. You could also give him a treat or belly rub.

Again, be sure to reward him immediately. Praise combined with affection, treats or play will make your puppy happy – and he’ll soon associate going potty at the right time and place with happiness and joy.

Tip #6: Crate Training Your Puppy Means Less Accidents

Crate training is a topic all on it’s own, but here is why you’d be smart to consider it when house breaking your puppy

When you crate train your puppy, you’re able to kennel him when you can’t watch him yourself. Dogs are den animals, and they don’t like to soil their dens. This means your puppy will “naturally” wait until you’ve taken him out of his crate before he goes potty.

There are two important things to remember: First, never leave him in his crate for too long. Second, always take him out to go potty as soon as you let him out of his crate. Most of the time, your puppy will already have to go potty. With your help, he’ll be going go potty exactly where you want him to go!

Your new puppy is going to love you unconditionally. In return, you should do your best to train him properly so he’s always a joy to be around. Potty training a puppy is a very important step in raising a dog that’s happy, healthy, and easy to love.

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