Toilet Training
It is really important to start training as soon as you bring your puppy home.
They will pick things up naturally, but you need to be clear where the 'no go' zones are for your puppy to go to the toilet.
It is best to use positive reinforcement and a routine for toilet training.
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Pick an area for your puppy to go to toilet in and then take them to this area:
- As soon as they wake up
- After playing
- After eating
- After being in a crate
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Having this routine will help avoid any accidents and help you puppy learn the right place to go to the toilet.
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It is important to learn the triggers of your puppy, which could be their way of telling you they need to go to the toilet.
- turning in circles
- sniffing the ground
- whining
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Always use positive reinforcement and do not punish. The clean-up can be frustrating but never get angry with your puppy if they go in the wrong place. If they have gone in the incorrect place don't get upset just redirect them to the correct place. If they do go in the correct place, make sure you make a big deal with lots of praise.
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While praising and using positive reinforcement I use a command phrase of 'Go for a wee', so this helps when you need them to go to the toilet i.e., before bed/going in a crate/going in a car etc.
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Remember puppies and dogs will always be learning so make sure you keep reinforcing these commands and routines.