POTTY TRAINING TIPS & TRICKS
With warmer weather approaching, so is the big dog-baby boom of the year! I love nothing more than seeing all of the new puppies in the neighborhood (hint: bring your puppies to visit me), and honestly sometimes I get puppy fever! What’s not to love about a puppy? They’re cute, curious, cuddly, and mischievous. Oh, and they pee and poop constantly. Unfortunately that’s not as cute, especially when it’s on your nice rug. But potty training your new puppy doesn’t have to be scary! In fact, with these tips and tricks, you can make puppy potty training relatively stress-free!
My family has had four dogs who we have raised since they were puppies, so when it comes to potty training, we’re pretty darn good at it. (Weirdest brag ever.) Here are some foolproof tricks that are bound to make your life easier:
- Positive reinforcement is where it’s at! Your puppy does not understand the word “no.” And while that’s usually everyone’s first reaction when they are greeted by a fresh pile of poop on their nice clean floors, all that’s going to do is make your puppy really scared. Instead, try rewarding with tons of tasty treats when your puppy goes potty where you want them to be going. Check these options out: crunchy, chewy, stinky, protein-y.
- Create a schedule. Set aside several times a day for a potty break. Make sure you allow your pup enough time to fully do his business in order to prevent any accidents. Keep this same schedule until your pup starts to get the hang of things, and then you can gradually start waiting longer between potty breaks.
- If your pup slips up, don’t get discouraged! Imagine yourself trying to learn an entirely new skill. It takes time, and a whole lot of patience. Plus, we’ve got you covered with some pet-safe cleaning products: scented, unscented, carpet.
Have some potty training tips and tricks of your own? Share with us in the comments!
