Relationship with your dog can be made or break with a potty training. How does that happen? Picking a dog from shelters full of sweet and friendly canine faces, we might just have to reconsider that they are not really housebroken yet. Imagine coming home from a long day at work, we do not want to exhaust ourselves more by start cleaning the floor, furniture and in the worst case scenario; have to clean the clothes if you keep a jumper at home.

Reconsidering for a potty training? There are several methods to potty train a dog and is important to choosing the right one. It is not advisable to mix several methods since this will only confuse your dog and slowing down its learning process.

For those living in an apartment, it is important to train your beloved dogs to do their business outside the house as early as a pup. If you’re living on the ground floor, you can consider yourself lucky. But if you’re living on the floors that doesn’t have immediate access to the ground, perhaps it’s better to keep your dog indoor. Do not get me wrong, keeping your dog indoor doesn’t mean you let your dog to get busy on your expensive Persian rug! Well, unless it was a gift from someone you hate. What I meant was, to get your dog an indoor potty training.

Method 1: Outdoor Potty Training

This is probably the easiest yet not always practical method if you’re living in an urban area. Basically, what you do is to take your dog outside as soon as you notice its tell-tale potty signal. We will look further into this later.

Do know that puppies have preference on the surface. Meaning, when you train your dog to do their business on grass, your dog will always do it on the grass rather than going to the dirt or concrete. So, make sure there are plenty of grassy areas for your dog.

It is better if your dog get potty trained for different kind of surfaces to make it an ease for you later.

Method 2: Paper Training

This is the most commonly used dog potty training if you could not get your dog outside in an instant.

First, identify few ideal spots in your house or apartment where you want your puppy to do its? business. Preferably on a cleanable surface or floor but make sure it’s not next to the dogs’ eating or sleeping place.

Then, lay some newspapers in that spot. The moment you notice your puppy need to go, pick him up and place it on the newspaper. Once he’s done, praise him like there’s no tomorrow.

After your puppy knows he’s supposed to go on the paper after a while, try to shrink down the number of spots where your dog has to go to do his business. This process has to be done step by step or else you will experience where your puppy will pee all over the place with just his front paws on the newspapers. Too little place to go, too little time but too much to let go.

Method 3: Indoor Potty Training

Similar to cats litter tray, dogs also can use indoor potty. It can be as basic as a cat litter box and tray, maybe with some decorative artificial grass or fire hydrant. Some of them just fit in with your furniture. Type and range of this indoor potty is up to you, all depends on your choice and budget.

This method is similar to the paper training. Choose a suitable spot, place your puppy on it when he shows the ‘let go’ sign, once done praise like there’s no tomorrow. Just make sure the potty spot is not somewhere close to his sleeping or eating place.

Consistency Is the Key

Consistency is the very essential in any dog training, including potty training. Example: Do not let your dog pee in your house. If it does happen, scold him for it. To make it an ease to the both of you, perhaps you could pick a spot in your house where your dog can get his mind off from the outside. Do not take him anywhere until he has done his business in that spot. Make him familiarize with that spot and let him understand that the spot is his. After a while, he’ll understand that that’s ‘his’ spot. This will save a lot of time and cleaning effort for you in the morning.

Take note that, to ensure a success in potty training you and your dog have to establish a consistent routine. Example: every time you notice a change in you dogs’ way or during break time in the day, immediately bring your dog to his potty place.

There are five keys to a successful dog potty training. They are:

1. Take your dog to his potty place when he wakes up in the morning.

2. Make sure you feed your dog on a fixed regular schedule. Example: twice a day, with the interval of 10 to 12 hours in between servings. After meal, take him to the potty place.

3. After playing, training or exercise, bring him to the potty place.

4. To prevent peeing during night time, withhold your dog from drinking 2 to 4 hours before bed.

5. Prior to bedtime, bring him to the potty place.

Do not forget to take note of your dogs’ age and background as you may need to take into consideration of one variations recommended in the training courses.