Potty Basics: To Go or Not To Go

*** Please see below for photo credits

    Did you know some responsible breeders start potty training exercises with their pups at as early as 3 weeks of age?  By the time their dogs are sent to new loving homes, they already have grasped the basic principles of eliminating outside!

     Most of us are not so fortunate.  We arrive home with our furry bundle of joy, and have to clean up not so pleasant puddles or smelly surprises a few times before our four-footed family members learn where to "go".

     Here are a few tips to help with potty training your new (or slightly confused) companion!


~Remember the times when a dog will naturally need to eliminate: when first waking up (even from a short nap), when full of food or water, after vigorous play or exercise, and additional times depending on age and bladder size.

~ Clean for Real.   You can't smell a thing?  The stain is out of the carpet? Great, but Fido has a much more sensitive sniffer!  If you are not using an enzymatic cleanser (one that lists "enzymes" in the ingredients), you are not killing the pheromones, which are the scent markers that tell your dog that this is an appealing place to go because it has been used before.

*** Please see below for photo credits

~Know when they are full.  When is the last time your dog ate?  How about the last time they drank  water?  By having assigned feeding times, and putting the water dish where you can easily see when they drink will help you know when your dog is full, and needs to be emptied.

~Learn your dog's cues.  Almost every dog gives signals when they have to eliminate.  Some dogs discreetly sniff, some circle, some pace, some just get really anxious and jittery.  You will need to learn what your dog does so you can get them outside to where they are supposed to do it, or they will not be able to learn that is what you want.  Once the pattern of going outside to potty has started, then you can add your own cue (such as bells at the door).  If you try to add your own cue too early, you have a very good possibility of simply training your dog that the cue means going outside to play (and nothing to do with potty).

~Don't spend too long outside waiting.  Go directly to one area in your yard where you would like them to eliminate and stand quietly.  No talking to them, no playing.  You probably want to have them on a leash at first even if you have a fenced in yard, or you will have no way to keep them from turning "potty time" into "game time".  If your pup does not use the bathroom after a few minutes, it's not the end of the world.  Just go back inside and continue life as normal while watching for your dog's cues.

~REWARD!!!  As soon as they begin to eliminate, quietly praise (who likes to be shouted at while using the toilet?) and be sure to follow up that praise with a yummy treat!  After your treat, then you can have that great walk, fun game of fetch, or other rewarding activity!  Never punish for a potty mistake.  This is not only unfair to the dog (YOU were supposed to get them outside), but can set your potty training backwards- since they probably won't want to go potty in front of you again!

*** Please see below for photo credits

~Minimize opportunity for accidents.  If your dog is still having accidents, WATCH THEM.  If you cannot keep your eyes on them, they need to be in a safe place, such as a crate, or puppy safe room or pen.

~If you are having trouble with one particular area (they always "Oops" in the same spot), after you have properly cleaned it with an enzymatic cleanser, feed them there for several days.  It is unnatural for an animal to want to eliminate where it habitually eats (do you know anyone with a toilet on their dining room table?).



     These are just a few basics.  If you would like help setting specific goals for your puppy or dog, please feel free to contact me.

     Happy training!



*** All photos used in this entry are courtesy of the Greater Charlotte SPCA.  Please feel free to check out their website!   www.charlotteSPCA.org 

Puppy Love

     What do you envision when you hear the word "Puppies"? Cute little balls of fluff? Adorable yawns? Endless energy? Possibly all these things and more!

     Nothing seems to hit the "Awww" button, or make us want to reach out and touch more than a cute puppy. The first potty outside, "Sit", come when called, and "Lay Down" make us cheer and bubble over with treats and good humor!

     So why is it that in just a few weeks, most people forget to cheer at the perfect "Sit"? We get flustered at the steaming pile of poo by the back door, we even forget to give a treat or a pat for "Lay Down". Apparently our attention spans may be shorter than that of our pups!

     Riley has been staying with me routinely for a few days at a time since her Mommy and Daddy brought her home. Even though she already has demonstrated a firm grasp of some basic commands (Sit, Down, Come, Shake, Roll-over, and Play Dead) we still review each one daily before applying it to a distracting situation (I often use Brutus and Grace as distractions). This can greatly reduce the stress in Riley as she learns to apply the commands to new situations. It also makes it more fair to the dog, by setting her up for success, not only challenging her.

     Does anyone remember how long it took to learn how to tie your shoes perfectly? (That attractive, symmetrical bow made with pink sparkly laces made me so proud!) How about learning to brush your teeth? Driving? The simpler tasks can be taught and retained within days. The last one, if I recall correctly, one must be chaperoned when driving for an entire year before driving solo.

     It is much easier to perform tasks in a structured setting with guidance. Tying a shoe quickly to catch the bus adds more difficulty to the task, like when you ask your puppy to do all those new tricks in front of all your friends, around other dogs, or in a new place. New surroundings can be distracting, even intimidating!

     Slow and steady wins the race. It also makes training more reliable and consistent. Reviewing simple commands and praising can boost confidence and performance in a dog. In brand new busy places I will often stand to the side and have my dogs Sit for a moment to take in everything calmly, this helps avoid leash pulling once we begin to walk.

     At the age of 13 weeks, Riley can now consistently down and stay for about 20 minutes with both Brutus and Grace. It is how she earns her play time.

     But in order for her to keep this skill, it must be practiced! Puberty is just around the corner, and that means more adaptive trials from Riley to see if my rules change!

     I'm looking forward to it!