Becoming a pet owner is an exciting experience, one that comes with immense joy and, definitely, a handful of challenges. One of such challenges for new dog owners is often how to potty train their pets. Potty training your dog is not only necessary for maintaining a clean and odor-free home but also crucial for your pet’s health and hygiene. Here, we explore steps on how to potty train your dog effectively with a special mention of a useful tool, Doggy and the City.
Set Up a Routine
Like infants, dogs do well with routines. Regular feeding times will lead to regular potty times. A puppy can control their bladder one hour for every month of age, so if your puppy is two months old, they can hold it for about two hours. Don’t go longer than this between bathroom breaks, or they’re guaranteed to have accidents.
Choose an Appropriate Potty Spot
Choose a potty spot outside, and always take your puppy (on a leash) to that spot. While your puppy is relieving themselves, use a specific word or phrase that you can eventually use before they go to remind them what to do. Be consistent and make sure to take your puppy outside frequently, giving them plenty of opportunities to make it outside.
Effective Use of Doggy and the City
The Doggy and the City is a popular and useful dog potty solution, especially for those living in apartments and condos. It’s an indoor dog potty solution that can be easily cleaned and causes little or no mess. Featuring natural grass, it’s highly absorbent, controls odors, and dogs are naturally attracted to using it.
Always Reward Your Puppy for Getting it Right
When your puppy goes potty in the correct place, be sure to praise them and offer a treat. Positive reinforcement is very effective in dog training. Make sure your rewards are immediate, every time. The quicker the reward is delivered, the clearer your puppy will be about why they are getting it.
Eliminate Potential Distractions
When teaching your puppy where to go to the bathroom, it’s important to keep them focused. Distractions like children playing, or other animals, can disrupt the process and set it back. Try to initiate potty training in a quiet, calm setting where your puppy can focus.
Consistency is Key
Bear in mind that your puppy is just a baby. Accidents will happen. It’s your job to keep an eye on them and limit where they can go to minimize the mess. The more consistent you are in following the basic steps, the faster your puppy will learn what is expected of them.
In conclusion, potty training your dog could be a bit of a task, but with consistent efforts and patience, it can be done effectively. Using tools like Doggy and the City could also make the job easier. Remember, all things are difficult before they become easy, and all good dogs were not potty trained in a day.