Are you looking for ways to train a dog to pee outside? If the answer is a yes, then this article is for you.
To train your puppy or dog, you will need to be committed, consistent with your work, and have loads of patience. Remember, nothing is expected to go right the first time, and for this reason, you will need to endure everything that you will be required to go through as you take care of your dog.
Training your dog to pee outside is not as hard as it sounds, and one of the main things that you will need to keep in mind is that patterns are hard to break.
Once they have been established, patterns will be the ultimate training for your dog, and you will find it easier to make them pee outside after they have gotten used to a routine.
Establish a Routine
Puppies will perform at their best whenever they are put on a regular schedule. With the use of a schedule, you can teach them a lot, such as when they should eat, play and handle their other business. A month-old puppy, for instance, can only be able to control its bladder for one hour, whereas a two-month-old puppy can control their bladder for two hours.
Knowing this will enable you to time your bathroom breaks not to extend the period beyond their comfort zones. When you do this, you are likely to get into accidents.
Take your puppy outside frequently
Start a routine of taking your puppy outside more frequently when you need to train them to pee outside. At least every two hours, ensure that your puppy has had a chance to pee outside. It would help if you also took them outside after eating or had something to drink.
Choose a bathroom spot outside that you will be using for the entirety of the training period. Use a leash to take your puppy to that spot each time. You can also make part of the training the command to relieve themselves and ensure that you use the same word each time.
The puppy will get used to this and will only relieve themselves once you have given them the go-ahead.
Reward your puppy
Reward your puppy when they have eliminated outdoors. This should be a part of the training and is very important for reinforcing the training and lessons you provide. The moment they have finished, make an effort to reward them for teaching them what is expected of them.
The rewards also go a long way in reminding your puppy to be on their best behavior, and they will not easily forget the pattern and routine you have taught in them.
Ensure that your puppy is on a regular feeding schedule. When they are getting something into their system on a schedule, they will also be eliminating the same on a similar schedule. When you are feeding your puppy two or three times a day, you will be able to ensure the consistency of their natural breaks, which means that the training will be a lot easier.
A regular schedule also makes your training more manageable for you, and you will have a much easier time training them to pee outside.
Less water before bedtime
Take away the water dish a few hours before bedtime. This is important as the puppy will not be able to introduce any more fluids into their body systems before going to sleep. Additionally, they will not need to relieve themselves during the night and will have a comfortable sleep that will not be interrupted for the entire night.
Puppies are known to sleep for seven hours before requiring any bathroom break typically. Also, ensure that the lighting conditions are ideal for their sleep, and in case you are woken, be calm about it and take them to the spot you had chosen before getting back to bed.
Indoor Supervision
Your puppy should not be given a chance to soil while in the house. Anytime they are indoors, you should always ensure that you monitor them closely.
When they are not actively playing or training, keep them tethered to a nearby piece of furniture. Also, be aware of any signs that your puppy needs to go out.
Once you notice any signs of restlessness, squatting, and circling, take them to their bathroom spot and remember to reward them once they are done. Your puppy should also be confined in the house and only allowed to roam freely in the yard once they have had adequate training.
Expect Mistakes
A few accidents in the house should be expected and part of the training. When it happens, do not act unexpectedly but immediately take the puppy to the usual spot so that they can finish their business there.
Also, remember to give them a treat when they do this well. Avoid punishment when they eliminate inside the house and clean up the soiled area. Be thorough about it and avoid leaving any smell, which will motivate the puppy to continue soiling the area.