Sunset Kennels Puppy Pages
TOILET TRAINING THE NEW PUPPY.
At birth a newborn puppy is unable to eliminate its own waste-mum licks the pups to stimulate elimination and in doing so, cleans up as she goes (the equivalent to nappies on our babies)
Around three weeks of age the pups begin to soil for themselves-Mum continues to maintain cleanliness in the nesting area.
It is instinctive for dogs to avoid soiling in their sleeping or eating areas as the pup becomes more physically capable, they will attempt to move away from the nesting area to toilet. The owner providing the litter with a different floor surface outside their bedding can assist this situation. The pups will instinctively seek an absorbent area to toilet, such as grass/soil or carpet. As the pups continue to mature, they will attempt to move further away from their own living area. However, like our own toddlers, the pups will have accidents-Mum will continue to keep the nest clean and won’t scold the pups for mistakes.
INTRODUCING THE PUP TO A NEW HOME
If we never interfered with the toileting habits of a pup living in our home, simply cleaned up without comment, the pups instincts would have him clean in your home by adolescence. However, due to a variety of reasons (USUALLY HUMAN INTERFERENCE) many pups’ instincts in regard to toilet training become confused.
The following program for hurrying toilet training along is suitable for all physically sound pups from eight weeks of age.
The pup cannot possibly understand that your entire house is the pack’s living area and should not be fouled-so do not give him access to your home to allow toileting in inappropriate area. Restrict the pups access by a combination of any of the following means: Crate training; Have the pup accepting of being placed in a small room such as the laundry or bathroom (where accidents will be easy to clean up) Or give the pup your full and undivided attention
You will need to take the pup out, on a lead if you choose, to the grassy area where you would like him to toilet, every 30 minutes to begin with-if he obliges, reward with a titbit (tiny bit of polony or liver) reserved for this occasion and/or a game. Our aim is to minimise the number of inappropriate soilings and be able to reward toileting in the appropriate location/area.
If the instructions in the above paragraph are followed precisely, the puppy will not have the opportunity to make mistakes and we will be constantly rewarding him for the correct behaviour. HOWEVER, if the pup does manage to make a mistake, do not show your disapproval in any way. You will not teach the pup not to toilet in the house, you will simply be teaching him not to toilet in your presence,- then when you go to the grassy spot, puppy will not want to toilet because it will make you cross! Furthermore, when you return indoors, the pup will take the first opportunity to find an appropriate spot (your bedroom or the living room-anywhere away form his own sleeping/eating area) to toilet while you are NOT WATCHING.
Watch for the obvious times that your pup will need to toilet, such as immediately after a meal or a big drink (I suggest the water is kept outside, they don’t need to drink while it is sleep time) upon waking up after a play session and any other time in between! Ensure that the pup is in the correct toilet location at these times.
If you observe pre-toileting behaviour such as sniffing circling etc rush the pup to the backdoor keeping him close to floor level so that they can see where they are being taken and how to get to their correct toilet spot.
Thoroughly clean the spots where the pup has had accidents with vinegar, as this will get rid of the odour. If left the odour could encourage the pup to stop at this smell of the previous accident and toilet then and there. Use this fact to your advantage by collecting up any droppings and placing then in the grassy area where you would like the pup to toilet. He will believe that this area is his chosen toilet.
Take the blame for any mistakes yourself-you were not paying sufficient attention. .Remember your pups mum cleaned up without scolding, attempting to reprimand the pup for a bodily function will only create anxiety.
PS; the pup is not suffering from guilt when you walk into the room where the pup has had an accident. He simply knows that the presence of a puddle or pile in the same room as you is bad news!
Most pups will be showing a vast improvement by 12 weeks of age, though still having occasional accidents. Toilet training is a natural process and will happen unaided, in most instances, however, there will be a wide range of ease or difficulty from one pup to the next. Try to remain calm and accepting- your stress will be obvious to your pup and may undermine his confidence and trust in you as a reliable natural leader, capable of taking care of their needs and providing protection.
Older dogs experiencing toilet training difficulties.
You can first try to implement the above procedures, however, the problem may be occurring for a range of possible reasons and specific assessment and an individual program may be required.