potty training an 8 week old puppy
There are a few things you need to be aware of before you start potty training an 8 week old puppy your new puppy. Puppies under 8 weeks old will have a relatively small bladder, which might make it difficult for them to hold their urine for as long as older puppies. Plus, since young pups at that age still get most of their nourishment from their mother, they’re not likely to want to eat or drink anything until they instinctively feel like they should relieve themselves.
You’ll need to be patient when potty training a young puppy. Make sure you take them outside frequently and give them plenty of chances to relieve themselves. If they have an accident in the house, don’t get angry with them – just clean it up and move on. Eventually, they’ll learn where they’re supposed to go.
Puppies between 8 and 16 weeks old are usually ready to start being potty trained. By this age, they should have a little more control over their bladder and will be able to hold it for longer periods of time. They should also be eating and drinking on their own, which will give them the urge to relieve themselves when they need to go.
When you start potty training your puppy, keep in mind that they’re still learning. There will be accidents – that’s normal. Just stay patient, and keep at it, and eventually, your puppy will get the hang of it.
1. Give The Puppy A Potty Place
Giving your puppy a designated potty area is an important part of the potty training process. By having a specific place for your puppy to go to the bathroom, they will start to understand that this is where they are supposed to relieve themselves.
There are a few different options for giving your puppy a potty place. Some people prefer to use a Puppy Pad, which is essentially a small piece of artificial grass that you can place indoors. Others opt for training their puppy to go outside from the beginning. If you live in an apartment or do not have easy access to a yard, you may need to get creative with your indoor potty area. One option is to create a makeshift pen using baby gates or exercise pens. Whatever option you choose, it is important that you make sure the area is easily accessible for your puppy and that it is big enough for them to move around in.
Once you have chosen a potty area, it is time to start teaching your puppy where they are supposed to go. The best way to do this is by taking them to the area on a leash and then letting them explore it while you supervise. Once they seem comfortable, it is time to start giving them opportunities to relieve themselves in the designated area. This may mean taking them thereafter naps and meals, as well as whenever they seem like they need to go (e.g., sniffing around, circling). With consistency and positive reinforcement (i.e ., rewards), your puppy will quickly learn that this is where they are supposed to go to the bathroom.
2. Use A Leash And Crate
In the early days of potty training, it is important to confine your puppy to a small area and use a leash so that you can easily supervise them. This will help to prevent accidents from happening and will give you more opportunities to take your puppy to their potty area. Crates can also be helpful during this time, as long as you do not leave your puppy in there for too long. If you need to leave your puppy alone for more than a couple of hours, it is best to put them in a larger space such as an exercise pen with their potty area.
3. Watch For Signs That Your Puppy Needs To Go
In order to take your puppy to their potty area at the right time, you need to be able to read their body language. There are a few different signs that your puppy may give when they need to go, such as sniffing around, circling, or whining. If you see any of these signs, it is time to take your puppy outside or to its designated potty area. It is also a good idea to take your puppy to their potty area regularly, even if they don’t seem like they need to go. This will help to prevent accidents from happening and will get them into the habit of going to the bathroom in the right place.
4. Reward Good Potty Behaviour
It is important to reward your puppy when they go to the bathroom in their designated area. This will reinforce the behaviour and help them to understand that this is what you want them to do. The best way to do this is by giving them a small treat immediately after they finish elimination. You can also use verbal praise, petting, or even just a simple “good job”. It is important that you do not wait too long to give the reward, as your puppy may not make the connection between the behaviour and the reward if there is too much of a delay.
5. Clean Up Accidents Properly
If accidents happen, it is important to clean them up properly so that your puppy does not continue to use that spot as their potty area. The best way to do this is by using an enzymatic cleaner, as regular cleaners will not completely remove the scent of urine
2. Socialize The Puppy With Other Dogs And People And Make Sure To Put Him On A Leash For Gear Time
The key to potty training success is socialization. Start by taking your puppy on short leash walks around the block. As he becomes more comfortable walking on a leash, introduce him to different types of people and other dogs. Make sure to put him on a leash for gear time so he doesn’t run off and cause an accident. By socializing your puppy early on, you will set the stage for a lifetime of good potty habits.
One of the most important things you can do when potty training a puppy is to socialize with other dogs and people. This will help them to feel comfortable in new situations and make it easier for you to take them out in public. It’s also important to put them on a leash for gear time so that they don’t run off and have an accident.
3. Use A Crate For Potty Training Your Puppy
Crates are an essential tool for potty training your puppy. A crate will give your puppy a safe place to stay when you can’t watch him and will help to prevent accidents in the house. When choosing a crate for your puppy, make sure it is the right size. It should be big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lie down, but not so big that he can use one side of it as a bathroom.
4. Feed Your Puppy On A Schedule And Take Him Out Regularly
Feeding your puppy on a schedule will help you to know when he needs to go out to relieve himself. It’s important to take him out regularly so that he doesn’t have accidents in the house. A good rule of thumb is to take him out every two hours during the day and after every meal or drink. At night, take him out before you go to bed and first thing in the morning.
5. Reward Your Puppy With Praise And Treats When He Goes Potty Outside
When your puppy goes potty outside, be sure to praise him enthusiastically. This will reinforce good behaviour and help him to understand that he is doing what you want him to do. You can also give him a treat as a reward, but make sure not to give him the treat until he has finished going potty.
One of the most important things you can do when potty training a puppy is to socialize with other dogs and people. This will help them to feel comfortable in new environments and around new people, and make it less likely that they will have accidents indoors. You should also put your puppy on a leash for gear time so that they can’t wander off and have an accident in an unfamiliar area.
When your puppy does have an accident in the house, it’s important to clean it up thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent and discourage your puppy from going in that spot again.
3. Introduce The Puppy To A Crate Early So They’re Used To It And Accept It As Home
The best way to potty train a puppy is to introduce them to a crate early on. This way, they can get used to it and see it as their home. It’s important to make sure that the crate is comfortable and warm so that they feel safe inside of it. You can put a blanket or towel in the bottom of the crate for them to lie on.
When you first bring your puppy home, let them explore the crate on their own terms. Put treats inside of it and let them go in and out as they please. After a few days, start closing the door for short periods of time while they are inside. Gradually increase the amount of time that you leave them in the crate until they are able to stay in there for several hours at a time.
If you need to leave your puppy alone for longer periods of time, make sure that they have plenty of toys and chew things to keep them occupied. If possible, take them out for a walk or play with them before you leave so that they are tired when you put them in the crate. This will help prevent them from getting too anxious while you’re away.
4. Take Them Out Regularly To Avoid Accidents
One of the most important things to remember when potty training a puppy is to take them out regularly so that they don’t have accidents in the house. Puppies need to go to the bathroom every few hours, so it’s important to take them out at least once every two hours.
If you work long hours, you may need to hire a dog walker or dog sitter to come over and let your puppy out during the day. It’s also a good idea to take them out right after they eat or drink since they will usually need to go at those times as well.
5. Reward Them For Going Outside
Whenever your puppy goes to the bathroom outside, it’s important to reward them so that they know they’ve done something good. You can give them a treat, pet them, or praise them verbally. This will help reinforce the behavior that you want and make it more likely that they will do it again in the future.
If your puppy has an accident inside, it’s important not to punish them since this will only make them fearful and less likely to want to use the bathroom outside. Just clean up the mess and
4. Provide Toys And Chew Proof Items (e.g. Bones) To Keep Them Busy During The Day
You’ll need to provide your puppy with toys and chew proof items to keep them busy during the day, especially if you work full time. This will help prevent them from getting bored and developing bad habits such as chewing on furniture or shoes. Try to get a variety of different types of toys so they don’t get bored, including squeaky toys, rope toys, Kongs filled with treats, and interactive games. You can also give them rawhide bones or antlers to chew on.
Puppies need plenty of toys to keep them occupied, and chew-proof items are a must to prevent destruction around the house. Providing your puppy with bones or other chewable items will help keep their teeth clean and give them something to do when they’re bored. Puppies also love to play with soft toys, so make sure you have a few of those on hand as well.
5. Potty Training
Potty training will require patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Never punish your puppy for having an accident in the house, as this will only make them scared of you and will not help them learn. Instead, clean up the mess with an enzymatic cleaner and take them outside more frequently so they can learn to potty in the appropriate place. When they do go potty outside, give them lots of praise and treats so they know they’re doing something right.
The key to potty training is remaining patient, consistent and using positive reinforcement rather than punishment. You’ll also need to be prepared to spend a lot of time taking your puppy outside so they can learn where it’s appropriate to go potty. Be sure to praise them when they do it in the right place and give them treats as well.
5. Stick To A Consistent Schedule For Feeding
When potty training a puppy, it is important to stick to a consistent schedule for feeding. Puppies need to go outside frequently, so they should be fed several times a day. A good schedule to follow is three meals a day, with potty breaks in between each meal.
Puppies also need to be fed on a regular schedule so that they can learn when it is time to go potty. Feeding them at the same time each day will help them learn when it is time to go outside. Puppies typically need to go potty about 20 minutes after eating or drinking. So, if you feed your puppy at 7am, 11am, and 3pm, they should be ready to go potty at 7:20am, 11:20am, and 3:20pm.
If you are not able to stick to a consistent schedule for feeding, that’s okay! Just do your best to feed your puppy several times a day and take them out frequently.
6. Offer Rewards For Going Potty Outside
One of the best ways to motivate your puppy to go potty outside is to offer rewards for doing so. Puppies are food motivated, so offering them a treat after they go potty is a great way to reinforce good behaviour.
You can also use verbal praise as a reward. Be sure to use an excited and enthusiastic voice when praising your puppy so that they know they did something good.
Some other rewarding ideas include:
Playing fetch with your puppy
Giving them a belly rub
Taking them for a walk or car ride
Allowing them to play with their favorite toy
7. Clean Up Any Accidents Inside Immediately
If your puppy has an accident inside, it is important to clean it up immediately. If you leave the accident, your puppy will be able to smell it and think that it is okay to go potty there. To avoid this, clean up any accidents with an enzymatic cleaner specifically made for pet stains. This will help remove the odor and make it less likely for your puppy to have another accident in that spot.
If your puppy does have an accident, never punish them. This will only make them scared of you and more likely to have accidents in the future. Instead, calmly take them outside so that they can finish going potty. Then, offer lots of praise and rewards.
Potty training a puppy takes time, patience, and lots of positive reinforcement. If you follow these tips, you will be on your way to having a well-trained pup in no time!
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