What are Some Puppy Potty Training Tips and Tricks Pet Parents in Cooper City, FL Should Know About?

Do you have a new puppy in your family, or are you thinking of bringing one home soon? Puppyhood is an exciting time for both dog and family, but it can also be a stressful period. Especially when your puppy isn’t potty trained yet. Although it might take a little time for potty training to kick in, with the right game plan and knowing some of the best puppy potty training tips to keep in mind, your dog will get there sooner than you may expect.

6 Puppy Potty Training Tips for Cooper City, FL Pet Parents

In this article, we’ll show you six tips and tricks to help you learn more about potty training your puppy in Cooper City. You can use this information to plan your course of action and help guide your dog through the first few months of her life. When you figure out the right potty training method for your pet, you’ll be well on your way to a successfully trained dog.

Below are 6 puppy potty training tips to keep in mind when training your dog:

Set Up a Schedule

The first and most important step in ensuring your puppy will learn to potty outside properly is to set up a schedule. Puppies at a very young age need to go out every three or four hours at the most, and sometimes even more often.

Plan to take your puppy outside to potty immediately before and after playtime, mealtime, and water. After the final potty of the night, if your puppy has had plenty of water during the day, consider limiting water before bed until morning.

Consider a Crate

Some puppies in Cooper City respond well to potty training when it is used in conjunction with crate training. Other dogs can’t stand the idea of a crate and will do anything they can to get out of it. With some patience, it is possible to both crate and potty train a puppy, if this is the route you want to take.

If your dog is extremely uncomfortable in a crate or if you yourself have some misgivings about using one, you certainly don’t have to. But knowing where your puppy is when you’re not at home can make a big difference in potty training, so keep this in mind as well. This is one of the biggest benefits of having a crate for your dog.

Give Your Puppy Lots of Praise When They Do Something Right

Puppies learn by being praised for their positive actions. Therefore, another puppy potty training tip is to praise your dog when they do something correctly.

Rather than trying to punish your puppy when she goes to the bathroom inside, focus on praising her as much as possible when she goes outside. Soon, she’ll associate praise with the idea of going potty where she’s supposed to.

Another great way to encourage your dog to go to the bathroom outdoors is to give her plenty of treats. The first few times she gets it right, make sure to shower her in treats and get very excited about her good job. She’ll learn quickly!

Remain Calm During the Entire Training Process

It can be frustrating and overwhelming trying to potty train a puppy in Cooper City, and it’s normal to feel upset during the process now and then. However, it’s also extremely important to stay as calm as possible so you don’t end up yelling at your dog and scaring her.

If you scare your dog by reacting angrily or in frustration when she doesn’t potty correctly, she may begin to associate going to the bathroom with fear. This will make it much harder for her to get the hang of going potty indoors and may set you back a few weeks on your training, too.

Give the Potty Training Process Some Time

Puppies are like young babies or toddlers and cannot simply be told to do something and then be expected to get it right the first time. One of the most important puppy potty training tips to keep in mind is to give the training time to kick in. Be patient with your puppy throughout the process.

It should only take a few weeks for your puppy to be fully potty trained, but keep in mind that accidents may continue to happen, especially during the first year of your dog’s life. Work with your dog through any accident times to ensure she remembers her potty training.

Think Twice about Potty Pads

Some puppies in Cooper City have a lot of success using potty pads for their potty training. However, it’s important to consider the downsides of these pads and think about whether or not they’re right for your dog. Some dogs may become so used to peeing on a pad that they won’t use the grass or dirt at all, and others may start associating rugs or mats with potty pads as well.

If you think your dog is responding well to a potty pad, there’s no reason to stop using it. Just keep in mind that the use of these pads can sometimes contribute to further problems down the line.

Call Embassy Lakes Animal Hospital in Cooper City, FL for More Information about Puppy Potty Training

There’s a lot to think about when potty training a dog. Although it takes plenty of time and patience to get through the process, most dogs catch on fast, especially when they’re given a strict routine to follow. If everyone in your family is on board with the routine, this will help, too.

If you’re having any issues with potty training your dog and you feel like you can’t handle them yourself, you can always work a professional trainer. The trainer will help pinpoint the best solution for you and your pet to provide a successful experience for you both.

If you have additional questions about your puppy, or are looking for more information about puppy potty training, feel free to contact our team by calling us at (954) 432-5811 or scheduling an appointment online. Our veterinarians in Cooper City, FL are here to help in every aspect of your pet’s life.