Page 301 - The Complete Dog Breed Book Choose the Perfect Dog for You, New Edition (DK)

FIRS T D A Y S 301

TRIP OUTSIDE
Your puppy must learn that outside is the place to go to the
bathroom. Take your puppy into the yard first thing in the morning
and last thing at night, as well as whenever he wakes from a nap.
Also, go outside with him after each feed or after playing with him.
your puppy appears to be clean. It may be simply that you
have become better at predicting your puppy’s bathroom
habits and not that he has learned to control himself indoors.

What to do at night
Inevitably, your new puppy will cry or whine at nighttime.
This is a natural response to being separated from his
mother and littermates and is unlikely to last for more than
a few nights. Ignore him unless he is being very noisy, in
which case he may need to go to the bathroom. If you can
take him outside to relieve himself in the middle of the
night, he will learn to be clean indoors much more quickly.
Tiring your puppy out during the day is the best way of
getting a peaceful night. Spending time playing with him
and feeding him a warm evening meal will make him feel
sleepy. Always give your puppy the opportunity to go to the
bathroom just before you settle him down in his bed.

Housetraining
Some dogs learn to be clean indoors sooner than others, but SECURE PLACE
with all of them, the most important factor in housetraining A cage can be used at night as
a way of keeping your puppy
is vigilance. Supervision is the key to success in the first few safe if there is no alternative,
weeks. Your puppy may need to relieve himself at any time, but confinement is not natural
so learn to spot the signs, such as sniffing the ground and for a puppy and should not
circling. You can also try to predict the times when he is be used simply as a way of
dog-proofing your home. A
most likely to need the bathroom. Even in the absence of any cardboard box is a cheap,
signs, take your puppy into the yard at regular intervals, no disposable alternative.
matter what the weather is like, and wait patiently.
Stay with your puppy to make sure that he does not get
distracted. When he does go to the bathroom, give a
command such as “hurry up” and praise him enthusiastically
when he has finished.
The occasional housetraining accident is inevitable, and
unless you catch your puppy in the act, there is nothing you
can do except clean up the mess. Never punish or scold a
puppy for having an accident, but if you are nearby and spot
him squatting, interrupt him with a sharp noise such as
clapping your hands. Your aim is to stop him in midflow, not
to scare him. When he stops, encourage him into the yard
and wait for him to perform, giving the command “hurry up”
followed by praise as described above.
Continue to take your puppy on regular bathroom trips to
the yard even when he has stopped having accidents. You
may be able to lengthen intervals between trips, but beware
the common mistake of stopping housetraining as soon as

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