How should I house train my puppy?

How can Spring Lake's canines learn to do their business outdoors?

Dogs may be man's best friend, but no one likes puppy piddle on their carpets or stinky surprises behind the couch. Housetraining puppies can take time and effort, but having a clean house is worth the work. Here are some tips to get you started. 

Designate a "potty spot" and make frequent visits.

Dogs prefer to eliminate in the same area. If they sense evidence of a previous visit, they're likely to use the same place again. Chose a small, grassy area in your yard and take your puppy there on a leash several times a day. 

How often should my new dog visit the potty spot?

A good rule of thumb is to make a visit every two hours, since puppies have small bladders and are still learning to control them. Puppies typically need to eliminate right after waking up, eating, or playing, so visit the potty spot at those times, too. Through this process, get to know your pup. If your puppy's bladder only lasts an hour and a half, you'll need to take him out more frequently.

So how will it take for me to house train my puppy?

Choose a command word that your dog will learn to associate with elimination, and repeat that word a few times while your dog is eliminating outside. Later, you'll be able to use that word to prompt him.

When your dog finishes eliminating, reward him immediately and profusely. Praise, treats, and play time can be effective rewards. Immediacy is important: if you wait till you're back inside to give the reward, your puppy won't associate the reward with outdoor elimination.

Dogs like clean, but they're not as picky as you are.

If you must leave Fido alone, confine him in a crate. Your puppy should have enough room to turn around and lie down, but not so much room that he can soil the corner. This arrangement will encourage your puppy to hold it until you return. When you do, take him right to the potty spot.

Don't forget the two-hour rule for puppies—when the bladder is full, sheer willpower may not be sufficient.

How should I handle accidents?

If you catch your puppy eliminating inside, clap or make a loud noise to startle and distract him. Then immediately take the puppy to the potty spot. When your puppy eliminates outside, respond with immediate and profuse rewards.

If your puppy does have an accident inside, it's important to clean the mess thoroughly, because if your puppy catches a whiff of his urine, he'll want to use the same place again. Begin by blotting up what you can, then contact Modernistic. Our Pet Solutions services will clean deep into the fibers of your carpet, ridding your home of any evidence of your puppy's accident.

Is there anything I can do before I bring a puppy home?

If you're planning to get a puppy, consider having Modernistic pretreat your carpet. Our 3M Scotchgard Carpet Protection and DuPont Teflon Protection keep your carpet soft and cushy, but protect the fibers from stains that pets can cause. Before long, you'll have a happy, well-trained dog and a routinely clean house. And that makes it much easier to be your dog's best friend.