Housebreaking a puppy or potty training requires a significant commitment, as well as a great deal of patience and consistency.  

Accidents are inevitable and should be expected. Fortunately, reliable dog training services in New Jersey, including Sit Means Sit, are equipped with the most current and successful techniques and strategies to help your fur baby achieve optimal success.  

Pet parents are trained to establish set schedules to allow puppies to develop a potty routine. Since dogs are creatures of habit, this ultimately leads to their ability to control their bladder until it’s “time” to go outside. It’s important to understand that young dogs can only hold their bladder for a short time.

The rule of thumb is “one hour for every month of age.” If you have a roughly two-month-old newborn, he can only wait two hours before he needs to go. It’s essential in the beginning to be frequent with outside breaks like following a nap, after playtime, and following a meal.

The dog trainers recommend keeping the pup on a leash and taking them to the same potty spot each time they go out. Use a command they can associate with their potty break to remind them what you want them to do. Visit https://www.fox28spokane.com/interviewing-trainers-for-your-dog-what-questions-should-you-ask/ for questions to ask a professional dog trainer.

Tips On Using a Trainer to Help Puppy with Potty Training

Professional dog training companies in New Jersey have specific guidelines for pet parents when working with their puppy for potty training. It’s a challenging undertaking, but one of primary importance is consistency and following a routine.

Dogs like following a regular schedule and will adapt to the habit readily after performing it for a set period. The guideline indicates that a young dog should be taken for potty breaks following a “one hour for every month of age.” That means if your dog is two months old, he should go out every two hours.

The canine should also relieve himself following a nap, after having a meal, and when playtime is over. Your pup should understand that his potty time differs from a walk or play. A command, either a word or phrase, should be established for the action so the canine can associate the action.

He should also be taken to the same spot when it’s time for him to relieve himself and then be taken back inside. Later, you can take him out to play or take a walk so he knows the activities are different.  

Here are guidelines offered by professional dog training experts in your local New Jersey area for potty training your pup efficiently and effectively.

Develop a routine

Puppies appreciate a daily routine and adapt well when pet parents establish a regular schedule for their activities. Dog trainers encourage scheduling each aspect of the dog’s day, including playtime, meals, and potty breaks. Puppies can control their bladders for roughly one hour for each month of age.  

If you go too long between potty breaks, the young dog will have an accident. It’s recommended to try to take them out at least every two hours, following meals, playtime, and a nap. When taking the dog out, find a spot he likes and go to that same spot each time he has a potty break.

This allows the puppy to associate this part of the outdoors with doing his business and no other activity. You should also give him a command to let him know what he’s supposed to be doing while he’s there.  

Any playtime or walks should be done after he’s gone inside and finished his potty break, so he knows these are separate activities.

Reward appropriate behavior

When your puppy eliminates outdoors, he should be praised and rewarded for appropriate behavior according to professional dog training etiquette. This should occur immediately after finishing his business outside, not when he comes inside the house.

This is vital because you want to reward the pup for going outdoors to have his potty break and relieving himself outside, as he’s supposed to do. Rewarding that on the outside teaches him that’s what’s expected. Before offering the reward, make sure the puppy has finished eliminating.

Young dogs are easily distracted. If you reward the behavior too soon, he may come back inside before he finishes and end up having an accident. If you notice he’s distracted, repeat the command to bring him back into focus so he finishes what he’s supposed to be doing.

Puppy should be on a regular meal schedule

When your young pup eats on a routine basis, he will eliminate regularly. Depending on his age, the canine might need feeding up to three times each day.  

Meals should be provided on a routine schedule each day to ensure the possibility of consistent potty breaks. This allows easier training for the dog and you. In this same vein, fresh cold water should be available throughout the day to keep the puppy well hydrated.

This will be consistent up to roughly two hours before the dog lies down to sleep. This prevents the canine from waking up to relieve themselves at night. Many puppies are able to sleep roughly “seven hours” before needing a potty break.

If the dog wakes you up to go out, be patient and calm while walking him to the regular spot. Otherwise, the dog will become excitable and believe it’s time to wake up and play. Light up the house as minimally as possible, interact as little as possible with the puppy, and then return the puppy to bed and go back to sleep.

Read also: The Benefits of Pick-Up Dog Daycare for Working Professionals

Final Thought

Dog trainers in New Jersey are excellent resources for guiding you through the potty-training process. They emphasize developing a routine and being consistent when letting your puppy out for a potty break. Go here for guidance on finding a good dog trainer.

Using the same spot with a familiar command will help the puppy associate the outdoor area with the place where he’s supposed to relieve himself. As time progresses, the puppy will let you know when it’s time for a potty break.