Toilet training a dog is a cooperative venture, so make sure you do your part.
From setting up special areas to reinforcing good habits, this video will give you everything you need to get you started on toilet training your new arrival.
House training should start as soon as your puppy gets home. Puppies urinate frequently and success in house training depends on anticipating their needs - they should be given the opportunity to relieve themselves at least every two hours. You can usually tell when a puppy 'wants to go' because he or she will look around anxiously, walk in circles and start sniffing in suitable corners looking for a place. That's your cue to whisk your pet outside.
Commands
Whatever the weather, puppies should be taken outside after they have woken up, or had something to drink or eat. Once out of the house, say a command such as 'Go now' so they know it's OK to relieve themselves. Praise them when they go, but ignore them when they fail. And if you do find a puddle inside, don't tell your pup off unless you catch him or her in the act; otherwise your pet will have no idea why they're being punished. Never, ever 'rub their nose in it'.
Paper training
You can train small breeds and young puppies on newspapers. Praise them with lots of affection when the newspaper is used and ignore them when it's not. Be careful not to get in the habit of praising with food treats, because you run the risk of overfeeding. Puppies relieve themselves around 12 times a day, and sometimes even more! Over time, move the newspapers towards the door and then out into the garden. Take a small piece of soiled paper outside, as the puppy recognises its own unique scent and will want to reinforce it.
Teaching your puppy to wait
An alternative method to paper training is crate (puppy playpen) training, where puppies are taught to wait in their own, special space before they're taken outside. The key is to give them an opportunity to relieve themselves at least every two hours, especially after eating, sleeping or playing.
Dealing with indoor accidents
If your puppy has an accident, don't be angry. Always clean the floor thoroughly to remove the odour from the spot; otherwise your puppy will continue to use the same place.
Retraining an adult dog
When it comes to adult dogs, start by keeping them confined to a designated space. Make a point of taking your dog outside on a regular basis, and when he or she 'goes', offer lots of hugs and praise. As for puppies, if there is an indoor accident, neutralise the area to prevent them going there again.
Stick to a routine
If you stick to a strict routine, your puppy or adult dog will quickly learn to be clean in the house. But don't get complacent, or your dog's house training can lapse. Continue with the routine until you are sure that your pet knows never to go indoors and can wait to go outside. Gradually phase out numerous outdoor trips, but if there are any accidents just start increasing the number of visits again.
The information contained in this article is not a substitute for individual veterinary or behavioural advice and is for information purposes only. You should always consult a veterinary surgeon if you have any concerns about your pet’s health. He or she will be able to take a complete medical history and physically examine your pet, to then recommend appropriate individual advice or treatment options. For detailed behavioural advice tailored specifically for your pet, we recommend that you contact a qualified pet behaviourist. For further details of local canine and feline behaviourists practising in your area and how they offer help for with problem pets, please contact The Coape Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers at www.capbt.org, or the Association of Pet Dog Trainers at www.apdt.co.uk.. Do bear in mind that while dog trainers can take you on as a client directly, pet behaviourists will always require a referral from your veterinary surgeon.