El Paso, TX (KFOX14/CBS4) — Potty training a new puppy can feel like a full-time job, but Humane Society representative A.J. says a few simple routines can help set young dogs up for success.
A.J. said one of the biggest challenges with very young puppies is that they are often kept indoors much of the time, especially before they are fully vaccinated. That’s where pad training can be useful, A.J. said, calling it a way to keep puppies safe while also teaching them there is a specific place to go.
A.J. said pad training can also help later on, because puppies can learn that the designated potty spot eventually moves outside. In some cases, A.J. said, small dogs may use pads long-term because they have smaller bladders.
Whether owners choose pad training or take a puppy outside, A.J. said the most important thing is consistency and keeping puppies on a schedule. A crate can help with that routine, A.J. said, along with making sure puppies get potty breaks at key times: every time they wake up from a nap, and before and after they eat.
A.J. said potty breaks can start as often as every 30 minutes, then gradually stretch to every hour as puppies learn over time.
When accidents happen indoors, A.J. cautioned against negative reinforcement, saying it can make puppies scared to go potty in front of their owners. Instead, A.J. recommended staying neutral and offering “no reward” for indoor accidents, then picking the puppy up and placing it on the pad. A.J. noted that puppies are still babies and “they can’t really control how small their bladder is.”
Positive reinforcement, A.J. said, should be saved for when puppies get it right.
KFOX DVR_WINDOW
RECOMMENDED: Bark on ARC: Annie the shepherd, dogs with allergies
RECOMMENDED: Bark on ARC: Dog lovers with allergies, we got you
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.