Young Puppy: Image by AJU_Photography, FlickrPotty training your puppy can be hard to do, especially if you're gone most of the day. If you're gone a lot, and you're not sure what to do about it, paper training might be for you.
When To Paper Train Your Puppy
While many believe that paper training is the best way to potty train a puppy, it should only be used under certain circumstances. Paper training isn't the first step to potty training a puppy, and it should generally only be used if you plan on training your dog to go indoors, either permanently paper trained or litter trained. Paper training is also a good idea if you're gone for long hours of the day and your puppy needs a good place to go to the bathroom when you can't be there to take him out.
What You'll Need
There are some basic materials you'll need to paper train your puppy.
- Newspapers or pee pads like Four Paws Wee Wee Housebreaking Pads.
- A good puppy bed like Armarkat Cozy Pet Bed.
- A heavy water bowl like Indipets Stainless Steel Spill Proof Bowl.
- A good toy like the Kong Classic Dog Toy.
- A free room.
Taking Your Puppy Outside
If you're not trying to train your pup to go solely inside, you'll need to train him to go outside as well.
When To Take Your Dog Out
- 10-15 minutes after every time your puppy eats, plays, or exercises.
- First thing in the morning.
- Immediately after your puppy wakes up from any sleep.
- Once an hour.
- Before bed.
While Your Puppy's Outside
Take your pup to a specific area in the yard and pace or walk in a circle for 3-5 minutes until your puppy uses the bathroom. If he does go, offer lots of enthusiastic praise and a treat. If he doesn't go, don't worry. Simply bring him back inside and try again in 20 minutes or so. For best results, create a feeding schedule for your pup, and keep a diary detailing when he most commonly uses the bathroom to give you a better idea of when to take him outside.
Paper Training Your Puppy
Follow these steps to paper train your puppy.
1. Designate A Room
You'll have to choose a room to get your puppy paper trained. A small kitchen or a bathroom will work best. Whatever you do, choose a floor that can be easily cleaned and avoid carpeting. Ideally, your puppy should only stay in this room when you're gone and when you're asleep.
2. Set Up The Room
The room should have a nice comfortable pet bed, and plenty of fresh water. Spread newspaper or puppy pee pads all over the floor area.
3. Designate A Bathroom Area
Your pup will most likely go to the bathroom in the corner furthest away from his bed, but your should put some newspaper or a pee pad with the scent of your puppy's urine on it in the furthest corner away from his bed. The pup will feel more inclined to go on it if he smells his own scent.
4. Downsize The Bathroom Area
Once your puppy starts going consistently in one area, you can gradually start reducing the amount of pee pads. A little bit at a time, remove the pads until your pup only has a small area to go on.
5. If Your Puppy Has An Accident
If your puppy has an accident, don't sweat it, simply spread the pads out again. Your puppy will get the hang of it soon. Just remember not to scold or hit your puppy, and don't shove his nose in the waste. Your puppy will gain negative associations, and it could make the problem worse.
After following these steps, your puppy should be successfully potty trained. Remember to reward him when he succeeds, and be patient.
Also Read: Crate Training: How To Potty Train A Puppy to learn how to crate train your pup.
