Going House: Your Ultimate Guide to House Training your Puppy
If you are a new pet owner, then ‘going house’ may not be a familiar term for you. Essentially, it refers to the process of house training your puppy for indoor living. One crucial aspect of this process is to teach your dog where and when to relieve itself. A common and practical tool used in this context is the indoor puppy potty.
It’s entirely normal for young puppies not to comprehend the intricacies of house training initially. Therefore, you need to demonstrate plenty of patience and consistency. Although the process could be frustrating at times, the outcomes are extremely rewarding. So let’s delve into how you can use an indoor puppy potty to successfully achieve ‘going house.’
Choosing the Right Indoor Puppy Potty
The first step is to select an indoor puppy potty. There are several variations on the market ranging from puppy pads, synthetic grass mats, to litter boxes. You can choose based on your convenience and what your puppy seems most comfortable with. However, be consistent with your choice. Repeatedly changing the type of potty can confuse your puppy and slow down the training process.
Location of the Potty
The location of the indoor puppy potty also plays a significant role in this training. Puppies naturally don’t like doing their business where they eat or sleep. Therefore, choose a place that is not too close to their feeding or sleeping area. Furthermore, ensure the place is easily accessible. A corner in the living room or kitchen might be a good option.
Setting a Routine
Puppies function better with routines. Set specific times for meals, play, nap, and potty. Initially, you may have to accompany your puppy to the indoor puppy potty after meals, first thing in the morning, and before bedtime. As time goes by, they’ll adjust to this routine and start going by themselves.
Using Commands and Rewarding your Puppy
When you take your puppy to the indoor puppy potty, introduce a command like ‘go potty’. As they become familiar with this command, they would understand that it’s a signal for them to relieve themselves. Indeed, they might even start going to the potty upon hearing the command. Reinforce this behavior by rewarding your puppy with praises, petting, or treats when they ‘go house’ correctly.
‘Going house’ is not an overnight process. It requires time, patience, consistency, and above all, love for your puppy. Remember, all dogs are different, so what worked for one might not necessarily work for another. Adapt your approach based on your puppy’s needs and progress. Eventually, using the indoor puppy potty, your puppy will master this important life skill and make the entire process worth the effort.