Bennett River Pups

POTTY TRAINING.....

This is one of the most frequently asked question.   How do I start potty training my puppy?  What do I do first?   Will my puppy understand?   How long should it take? 

It is NOT good to get a puppy before the age of 8  weeks. (Be concerned about breeders that release their puppies early.)  Puppies raised with a litter are usually taught by their mother to go potty away from their bed.  (Puppies raised with litter mates for a longer period of time will also learn basic behavioral and socialization skills.)  Dogs, by nature, keep their sleeping area clean.  Potty training does not go by how old the puppy is, but by how mature it is. Larger dogs take longer to mature than a smaller dog. Keep that in mind when you are training.  One pup may grasp the idea of potty training quicker than another. 

Our best rule of thumb for any owner, is to take your puppy outside:

	...when they wake up from a nap.
	...after they play for 10-15 minutes.
	...after they eat.
	...when you notice them looking or sniffing around.

You will also be able to regulate when his next potty time will happen. You, as the owner, will know your puppy the best.  Watch him and take time to work with him.  If you don't have time to teach him, you don't have time for a puppy. 

When it is time to take your puppy outside to go potty, go outside with him. This is very important! If you don't go outside with your puppy, how will you know your puppy went potty and didn't just play in the yard.  Take your puppy to the same spot each time.  Your puppy at 8 weeks has a very small bladder and bowel.  You will fill that you are taking your puppy outside a lot. By taking him out frequently, you are allowing your puppy to learn quickly.  As your puppy goes potty, praise him and give him a treat or play for a short time afterward.  Soon he will associate the praise, treat and play with going potty.    

To prevent mistakes, closely supervise your puppy.  It's your responsibility to make sure that the puppy gets outside to go potty.  Young puppies will eventually have an "accident".  Don't punish or scold your pup or rub his nose in "it".  Much to popular belief, rubbing their nose in their urine or fecal matter does nothing to help the puppy. This may just help him to understand that he should not go potty in front of you.  Instead, very calmly, take your puppy out to the designated potty spot.  

Clean up the soiled area well with a cleaner that removes the odor.  If a smell lingers, he may try relieving himself there again.  If you praise your puppy when he does go potty outside, soon he will associate praise and reward for going potty outside. 

As you begin taking your puppy for walks, please remember to be a responsible dog owner and pick up any deposits!  Carry with you plastic bags or some form of a pooper scooper. In case your puppy has a bowel movement while on a walk, you will be able to clean it up.   

If you have any further questions on this topic, please talk to your local vet.  There are also several books available to help you in answering your questions.  The information that we give is to start you on the right path.  Every puppy and dog are not the same.   

Dogs which have not been trained or properly introduced to their kennel, may initially resist confinement, particularly for a long period of time. Please keep in mind that training takes time and does not happen over night.  You may understand what you want, but the puppy or newly acquired dog does not.  BE PATIENT!

Training should begin when your dog is a puppy. Once the dog accepts the kennel as its "den", you will have few problems getting the dog to enter the kennel or stay in it for several hours. There are numerous training aids available; tapes, books, articles-which can provide guidance in this area, but since it is important to begin a training routine immediately, the following basic tips will get you a started.  

	1. NEVER push or shove a pet into the kennel or use it as a means of punishment. Coax your pet in with toys or treats and reward your puppy with praise.
	2. DO NOT leave a puppy unattended in the kennel for more than 2-3 hours during the day. Young animals will need to relieve themselves often (approx. every 20-30 minutes). Puppies and dogs do not like to soil their sleeping area or den. They will whine or bark so you can quickly take them outside. In this way, the dog learns to tell you when it needs to go outside and that you approve.
	3. PRAISE your puppy after it has gone to the bathroom in the designated spot.
	4. Place the kennel in your bedroom at night until the pet feels secure.  Placing something in the kennel with your scent will help the pet feel more comfortable and will increase the bonding process.
	5. When possible, leave the kennel door open during the daytime in a restricted area so the dog can go in and out at will.

Again, keep in mind that training takes time and does not happen over night. BE PATIENT! 

****PLEASE NOTE: If you have other questions regarding your dogs habits and behaviors, please talk to your local vet.  There are several books available to help you in answering your questions.  The information that we give, is to start you on the right path.  Every puppy and dog are not the same and should never be treated as a one method fits all.  

It is impossible for us to give you precise answers to your pets behaviors, because we do not have all the answers and do not live with your pet on a day to day basis.