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The Puppy Guide >> Puppy Training >> Toilet Training
Toilet Training
Puppies, like young babies, need to go to the toilet frequently. As they grow older their bladder control will become stronger and they will need to go less often. At night time leave plenty of newspaper in your puppy's crate or sleep area for them to go to the toilet on.
There are two main methods for toilet training your puppy. One involves getting your puppy to go on newspaper, then gradually moving it to an outside area. The other, detailed below, involves going straight to training him to go outside:
- Take your puppy outside to go to the toilet regularly. This should be done at least every few hours in the daytime, and after playing, eating and sleeping. Puppies will sometimes circle one spot or tap their leg as a sign they want to go to the toilet.
- When your puppy goes to the toilet in the correct place say 'Go potty', or whatever phrase you want to use. Then praise the dog and perhaps give a treat.
- Be consistent and make sure all family members know the phrase.
- If your puppy goes to the toilet in the wrong place, such as indoors, you should never rub your puppy's nose in it. If you catch him in the act say 'No' firmly and pick him up (he should stop), and immediately carry him to where he should go. If you find the evidence after he has been, do nothing other than clear it up. If you punish your puppy after the act he/she will not associate the punishment with going to the toilet in the wrong place.
- If started when the puppy is young this method should be effective within a few weeks. However, you should not be disheartened with the occasional accident. Just as toddlers and small children can have accidents and wet themselves when excited or distracted, your puppy will be the same.
- Eventually, by using your chosen phrase, you should be able to get your puppy to go to the toilet on command.
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