Your Puppy’s Care

What to Expect When Bringing Your Puppy Home

It will be an exciting day when you bring your puppy home and a great opportunity to set the basic ground rules. What you allow when they are puppies may not be so cute when they are full grown.

Potty Training

To put it simply, your puppy just can't hold it — at least not for very long. A puppy under the age of 4 months doesn't have a big enough bladder or sufficient muscle control to go more than a couple of hours without eliminating. As he/she gets older, your pup's ability to control himself/herself gradually increases. By the time he/she reaches adulthood (at about one year of age), a healthy dog usually has plenty of self-control.

Up until the age of 4 to 5 months, a puppy needs to go to the bathroom about 12 times per day. If a puppy makes a “mistake”, do not scold him, just take him outside immediately.

House training requires patience, vigilance and consistency of everyone in the family. We cannot stress enough that consistency is important. Here are a few helpful hints to successful potty training.

  • Keep the puppy on a regular feeding schedule

  • Take puppy out to eliminate first thing in the morning and then once every 30 minutes to an hour

  • Always take him/her outside within 20 mins. after meals or when he/she wakes from a nap

  • Make sure your puppy goes out last thing at night and before being left alone

  • Take puppy to the same spot each time to do his/her business. The scent will prompt him to go.

  • Stay with your puppy outside until their business is complete.

  • When your puppy eliminates outside, praise him and give him a treat. A walk around the neighborhood is a nice reward.

Potty Training Outside

Consistency and patience is the key in all areas of training your new puppy. Would you like your puppy to potty in a certain area? This will take time on your part but worth it. Here are a few tips...

  • Pick a spot and consistently take your puppy to that area

  • Take your puppy out every hour, immediately after feeding, every time he wakes up from a nap, after an active play session, and in the wee hours of the morning if you hear him moving around.

  • Watch for the signs...If your puppy starts to turn in circles, sniff the floor, arch his back while walking, pick him up and take him out to the potty spot.

  • Keep your puppy's potty place clean—pick up feces every day. You don't like to step in it, and neither does he.

Dogs and puppies have an acute sense of smell and like to pee where they or others have peed before. This is a great training aid! So be consistent with the location!

Cleaning Up a Mess

In the house use an odor and stain remover product to neutralize. Do not use an ammonia based product as it smells similar to urine and your puppy will continue to urinate in this area. Use an enzymatic cleaner – odor and stain remover and then cover the spot with baking soda and vacuum when dry.

Crate Training Your Puppy

Crate or confine your puppy when you can't watch him -- no exceptions. Have other family members to do the same. Puppies are teething and will chew baseboards, electrical wires, shoes, plants, sofas, favorite items, etc. This is for the safety of your puppy.

Puppies like to keep their den or crate clean and will do their best to avoid peeing or pooping where they have to sleep. Buy a crate that will accommodate your puppy when it is fully grown and use a divider to make the crate proportionate to their present size.

Never make a crate a form of punishment! The crate is a safe environment and comfortable place to sleep and relax. Your puppy may whine and cry the first few nights but will pay off sooner than later. I have a sheet over my crates to give them a feeling of comfort and security. I use the crate for "nap times" and part of my daily routine. Just like kids, your puppy needs down time and their crate is a safe and quiet place.

Feeding

Have your puppy on a feeding schedule and follow the tips above. Remember to feed your puppy at least 4 hours before bedtime this way your puppies food will be well on its way to digestion. Don't forget to potty before bedtime.