Post by PJ on Mar 1, 2009 22:37:27 GMT -6
Paper Training/House Training Your Puppy
Some of the most frequent questions that we are asked are on the subject of house/paper training puppies. There are many different methods that can be used and all of them seem to have something to offer. It is best that a household do a little research and learn about the different methods and to decide on which method will work best for their new puppy and their own particular situation. The following is the method that works well for us:
Be Prepared
It is never too early to begin training your puppy, and we suggest starting from the moment your new puppy arrives home. Some things you should already have considered and prepared for are:
A warm and dry room/pen/permanent place for the puppy to sleep
A soft and comfortable bed that will be large enough for the puppy as it grows
A good set of no-spill water and food dishes
A package of scent-impregnated puppy training pads (pee-pee pads), and a good supply of newspaper, or large but shallow litter box and puppy litter
A solid and safe puppy kennel/crate
An appropriate supply of top quality (grain free) dog food
A collar and leash of the proper sizes
A rawhide chew toy and a ball
And of course a camera to capture all the adorable puppy antics
It is best to have everything ready for the new bundle of joy before it gets home. It’s sleeping quarters should be set up so that it is ready to be occupied immediately. A new puppy can have a small bedroom of no larger than 1 metre square (or smaller) for the first few days.
First, take the door off of the kennel, then put the dog bed in the kennel and put the kennel in one corner of the pen (preferably close to, but not in front of the door), and the litter box with newspaper in the opposite corner (away from the door of the pen), and the water (filled) and food dishes in the fourth corner (assuming that the door is located in the first corner). Put a pee-pee pad on top of the newspaper or litter and you are ready to go.
If you have carpet in part of your house, but not all, it is advisable to put a piece of carpet under the kennel (sticking out a little for the pup to smell), but not necessarily the entire pen. The pup will get used to the carpet being where it sleeps and not want to pee on it.
First Impressions
As soon as the puppy comes home put it down on the training pad and let it sniff around and pee. If it begins to pee off the pad, just pick it up gently and put the pup gently on the pad. Do not chastise the pup or it will associate the pad with chastisement and will always be anxious when it needs to relieve itself around the pad. If the puppy poops on the pad, distract it with one hand while picking up the poop with the other (toilet paper works well, and can be easily flushed).
Be Consistent
The key is to always put the puppy on the pad as soon as it wakes up and stands up, not a few seconds later. After relieving itself, the pup will probably want a few licks of water and then to play. Young pups are like young children, they crave playing and learning and cuddling, but spend most of their time sleeping. During play, the puppy’s bowels will start moving and it may begin to sniff around in circles and this is the sign that it needs to poop and it is time to put it back on the pad. Sometimes it is good to stay close by (but not too close) so that the puppy does not leave the pad before it relieves itself. The pup has just been separated from it’s littermates and will be anxious about it’s new family leaving it as well and it’s desire to be with you may override it’s desire to stay and poop alone, but it certainly does not want to be crowded either.
After play the puppy will be tired and will want to nap, so it is time to put the pup back into the pen. I like to put a used sock on it’s bed for comfort and let the pup sleep. Always put the pup in it’s pen when it is sleeping, or not being played with. Then set your timer for 20-30min (oven timer works well), to remind you to check on the pup and put it on the paper as soon as it wakes. If the puppy does not need to pee again, give it a small amount of food or a chew toy and set the timer again.
After the puppy has peed, it is time to play. It is best not to let the puppy have the run of the house just yet. Always watch and supervise as the puppy explores it’s new environment, and be ready to gently pick up the puppy and place it back on the pad if it needs to go (usually about 20-30min), then bring it out to play again.
Be vigilant to put the pup on the pad every 20-30 minutes (as long as it is awake) and it will get the hang of things very quickly. After a couple of days the pup will be used to this pattern and will be using the pad on it’s own. Change the pad often, but be sure to leave it in the puppy’s pen at night time. Even if the puppy misses the pad a couple of times, it will soon catch on as long as you are consistently there to help it. The puppy training pads are scent impregnated which will attract the puppy to pee on that spot. It will not take long for the puppy to remember and want to pee on the pad. Just remember, never to chastise the puppy when it is learning anything new.
Congratulations!
After a few days, your new puppy should be using the pad reliably, but don’t let it have the run of the house just yet. The puppy should be let out often for supervised play near enough to it’s pen so that it will know where the litter box is at all times, but should spend all it’s free time in it’s pen when not supervised. Then after about a week, we like to increase the size of the pen to about twice the size, giving the pup a larger room to play in, but still small enough to get to the litter box reliably. By the end of the second week, we like to put baby gates in the door ways and let the pup have one entire room to run around in.
Switching to Paper
During the second or third week we lean the pee-pee pad up against the side of the pen, but still in the litter box, so that the pup goes to the litter box and smells the pad, but pees on the newspaper. This will cut down on the number of pads that are used, because they are no longer being soiled, but it is advisable to leave the pad like this for a couple of weeks, until the pup gets used to the newspaper or litter. Always be vigilant when cleaning the litter, but beware of using strong cleaners, bleach or deodorizers. Many strong cleaners are abrasive to sensitive puppy noses and will actually train the puppy to find a new place to pee.
If it is not too cold outside or raining, then the pup should be carefully introduced to the leash and to the outdoors. With all kinds of new scents to explore, the puppy will relieve itself outdoors as well. When indoors at night, the pup should be put back in it’s room/pen, where it can be left safely for the night and be able to reliably relieve itself on the pad. As the puppy grows, it will naturally prefer to go outdoors to relieve itself, but will gladly use the litter box at night as long as it knows that you approve.
The Kennel
When the puppy is old enough (usually by the time it has the full run of the house), the door of it’s kennel can be put back on (a larger kennel should be provided as the puppy grows) and the puppy should be confined to it’s kennel for a few hours as it sleeps (always start with just an hour and work up to more time), then let out to relieve itself. Even though the pup should feel very comfortable in it’s kennel, it should never be locked in for too long. Nevertheless, it is important to kennel train the puppy for safety reasons, such as travelling in a vehicle, visiting relatives, trips to the veterinarian, or any other contingency that may arise. In an emergency, the puppy can be put in it’s kennel and even emergency personnel can carry the puppy safely and securely.
In Conclusion
The decision to paper-train your pup or to teach your pup to relieve itself outside, is best left to each household’s situation. Paper training is easy and successful with far less accidents for those who may not be able to keep a rigid schedule of taking the pup out doors every twenty minutes or so. Not to mention that it is very easy to get the pup to go outside after it has learned paper training, but it is not so easy to teach it to use the paper if it has been trained to go outside first.
Some other benefits to paper training are:
Almost entirely eliminates messes on the carpet, even when no one is at home to take the puppy outside.
The new puppy (and owner) will not have to brave the cold or elements just to relieve itself. Many times in the cold the pup will hold it, being too cold to go, then when brought inside it will relax in the warmth and then relieve itself against it’s owner’s wishes.
It only takes a few days for the new puppy to be sufficiently trained that it will be able to relieve itself on it’s own in the night (a feature that is well appreciated by parents who have to get up and go to work in the morning).
With fewer accidents the pup will be scolded less and the new owner will not be disappointed in the pup for the accident.
The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is an accurate axiom when applied to dogs. There is no substitute for proper training. A small amount of dedication in the beginning will provide a lifetime of joy.
A well trained dog means a happier dog, and a happier family.
Some of the most frequent questions that we are asked are on the subject of house/paper training puppies. There are many different methods that can be used and all of them seem to have something to offer. It is best that a household do a little research and learn about the different methods and to decide on which method will work best for their new puppy and their own particular situation. The following is the method that works well for us:
Be Prepared
It is never too early to begin training your puppy, and we suggest starting from the moment your new puppy arrives home. Some things you should already have considered and prepared for are:
A warm and dry room/pen/permanent place for the puppy to sleep
A soft and comfortable bed that will be large enough for the puppy as it grows
A good set of no-spill water and food dishes
A package of scent-impregnated puppy training pads (pee-pee pads), and a good supply of newspaper, or large but shallow litter box and puppy litter
A solid and safe puppy kennel/crate
An appropriate supply of top quality (grain free) dog food
A collar and leash of the proper sizes
A rawhide chew toy and a ball
And of course a camera to capture all the adorable puppy antics
It is best to have everything ready for the new bundle of joy before it gets home. It’s sleeping quarters should be set up so that it is ready to be occupied immediately. A new puppy can have a small bedroom of no larger than 1 metre square (or smaller) for the first few days.
First, take the door off of the kennel, then put the dog bed in the kennel and put the kennel in one corner of the pen (preferably close to, but not in front of the door), and the litter box with newspaper in the opposite corner (away from the door of the pen), and the water (filled) and food dishes in the fourth corner (assuming that the door is located in the first corner). Put a pee-pee pad on top of the newspaper or litter and you are ready to go.
If you have carpet in part of your house, but not all, it is advisable to put a piece of carpet under the kennel (sticking out a little for the pup to smell), but not necessarily the entire pen. The pup will get used to the carpet being where it sleeps and not want to pee on it.
First Impressions
As soon as the puppy comes home put it down on the training pad and let it sniff around and pee. If it begins to pee off the pad, just pick it up gently and put the pup gently on the pad. Do not chastise the pup or it will associate the pad with chastisement and will always be anxious when it needs to relieve itself around the pad. If the puppy poops on the pad, distract it with one hand while picking up the poop with the other (toilet paper works well, and can be easily flushed).
Be Consistent
The key is to always put the puppy on the pad as soon as it wakes up and stands up, not a few seconds later. After relieving itself, the pup will probably want a few licks of water and then to play. Young pups are like young children, they crave playing and learning and cuddling, but spend most of their time sleeping. During play, the puppy’s bowels will start moving and it may begin to sniff around in circles and this is the sign that it needs to poop and it is time to put it back on the pad. Sometimes it is good to stay close by (but not too close) so that the puppy does not leave the pad before it relieves itself. The pup has just been separated from it’s littermates and will be anxious about it’s new family leaving it as well and it’s desire to be with you may override it’s desire to stay and poop alone, but it certainly does not want to be crowded either.
After play the puppy will be tired and will want to nap, so it is time to put the pup back into the pen. I like to put a used sock on it’s bed for comfort and let the pup sleep. Always put the pup in it’s pen when it is sleeping, or not being played with. Then set your timer for 20-30min (oven timer works well), to remind you to check on the pup and put it on the paper as soon as it wakes. If the puppy does not need to pee again, give it a small amount of food or a chew toy and set the timer again.
After the puppy has peed, it is time to play. It is best not to let the puppy have the run of the house just yet. Always watch and supervise as the puppy explores it’s new environment, and be ready to gently pick up the puppy and place it back on the pad if it needs to go (usually about 20-30min), then bring it out to play again.
Be vigilant to put the pup on the pad every 20-30 minutes (as long as it is awake) and it will get the hang of things very quickly. After a couple of days the pup will be used to this pattern and will be using the pad on it’s own. Change the pad often, but be sure to leave it in the puppy’s pen at night time. Even if the puppy misses the pad a couple of times, it will soon catch on as long as you are consistently there to help it. The puppy training pads are scent impregnated which will attract the puppy to pee on that spot. It will not take long for the puppy to remember and want to pee on the pad. Just remember, never to chastise the puppy when it is learning anything new.
Congratulations!
After a few days, your new puppy should be using the pad reliably, but don’t let it have the run of the house just yet. The puppy should be let out often for supervised play near enough to it’s pen so that it will know where the litter box is at all times, but should spend all it’s free time in it’s pen when not supervised. Then after about a week, we like to increase the size of the pen to about twice the size, giving the pup a larger room to play in, but still small enough to get to the litter box reliably. By the end of the second week, we like to put baby gates in the door ways and let the pup have one entire room to run around in.
Switching to Paper
During the second or third week we lean the pee-pee pad up against the side of the pen, but still in the litter box, so that the pup goes to the litter box and smells the pad, but pees on the newspaper. This will cut down on the number of pads that are used, because they are no longer being soiled, but it is advisable to leave the pad like this for a couple of weeks, until the pup gets used to the newspaper or litter. Always be vigilant when cleaning the litter, but beware of using strong cleaners, bleach or deodorizers. Many strong cleaners are abrasive to sensitive puppy noses and will actually train the puppy to find a new place to pee.
If it is not too cold outside or raining, then the pup should be carefully introduced to the leash and to the outdoors. With all kinds of new scents to explore, the puppy will relieve itself outdoors as well. When indoors at night, the pup should be put back in it’s room/pen, where it can be left safely for the night and be able to reliably relieve itself on the pad. As the puppy grows, it will naturally prefer to go outdoors to relieve itself, but will gladly use the litter box at night as long as it knows that you approve.
The Kennel
When the puppy is old enough (usually by the time it has the full run of the house), the door of it’s kennel can be put back on (a larger kennel should be provided as the puppy grows) and the puppy should be confined to it’s kennel for a few hours as it sleeps (always start with just an hour and work up to more time), then let out to relieve itself. Even though the pup should feel very comfortable in it’s kennel, it should never be locked in for too long. Nevertheless, it is important to kennel train the puppy for safety reasons, such as travelling in a vehicle, visiting relatives, trips to the veterinarian, or any other contingency that may arise. In an emergency, the puppy can be put in it’s kennel and even emergency personnel can carry the puppy safely and securely.
In Conclusion
The decision to paper-train your pup or to teach your pup to relieve itself outside, is best left to each household’s situation. Paper training is easy and successful with far less accidents for those who may not be able to keep a rigid schedule of taking the pup out doors every twenty minutes or so. Not to mention that it is very easy to get the pup to go outside after it has learned paper training, but it is not so easy to teach it to use the paper if it has been trained to go outside first.
Some other benefits to paper training are:
Almost entirely eliminates messes on the carpet, even when no one is at home to take the puppy outside.
The new puppy (and owner) will not have to brave the cold or elements just to relieve itself. Many times in the cold the pup will hold it, being too cold to go, then when brought inside it will relax in the warmth and then relieve itself against it’s owner’s wishes.
It only takes a few days for the new puppy to be sufficiently trained that it will be able to relieve itself on it’s own in the night (a feature that is well appreciated by parents who have to get up and go to work in the morning).
With fewer accidents the pup will be scolded less and the new owner will not be disappointed in the pup for the accident.
The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is an accurate axiom when applied to dogs. There is no substitute for proper training. A small amount of dedication in the beginning will provide a lifetime of joy.
A well trained dog means a happier dog, and a happier family.