How to (Potty) Train Your Doggy

Training a puppy is very hard work but it is worth it in the end. Training your puppy will save you a lot of heartache, and probably a headache, in the future. In order to make sure that your puppy is a good, potty-trained, polite member of society, there are a few steps that you need to take. Hopefully, this guide will help you navigate all the different parts that are involved in potty-training the new member of your family.

Step One. Get a dog. You’re welcome.

Get a Leash and Collar. It probably won't come as a surprise that new puppies do not like their collars. The puppy will try to get the collar off, squirming and barking uncomfortably. Do not be fooled by the pitifulness. A collar is important when it comes to leash training. Collars are also important for identifying the dog if they get caught by animal control. The puppy will react the same way with the leash. They will sit down and refuse to go anywhere with that leash on. On a lawn, or other soft surface, drag the puppy. It doesn't hurt them, the yelps are a lie. Getting comfortable with a leash and collar is very important.

Buy The Prison. This is also known as a kennel or cage. This is a stage of the process that is messed up a lot. People always want to buy a big cage, either because they want to pamper their puppy, or the puppy will grow up to be very big. This is a mistake. The bigger the cage, the harder the potty training process. Dogs do not like to go to the bathroom where they sleep. If they have room to go to the bathroom in their cage and still sleep, they won't see the point of going all the way outside. Buy a cage that fits the size your puppy is currently. Some kennels will even be adjustable. It should be tall enough that they don't have to duck their heads and wide enough that they can comfortably turn in circles. If you don't have the money to keep buying different size cages, try putting a plastic barrier in the cage that you can move as the puppy grows.

Cage Lining. For the puppy’s comfort, and to help with cleaning, you are going to need something to line the bottom of the cage. Accidents are inevitable. Puppy pads are highly recommended, as they make clean up very easy. Puppy pads are made of an absorbent material, like that of diapers, so that the mess the puppy makes is easily caught and the smell is limited. You just pick them up and throw them away after they become dirty. If you don't have access to puppy pads, get some old towels that you don't want to use yourself anymore. These are harder to clean, but do essentially the same job.

Bribes. Find out what makes your puppy happy. Every dog is different. Some dogs will only respond to training with treats. Other dogs simply love attention and will do whatever it takes to get some enthusiastic petting. If your dog does respond well to treats, have a lot on hand. If they respond to attention, make sure to be enthusiastic!

Introduction to The Prison. You now have all of your supplies ready to go, along with a new friend. First, you want to introduce them to the cage. Make it seem like a good thing. Put a treat in the cage and let the puppy spend time in it without the door closed. If your puppy just won't go in, try sitting next to the cage. Your puppy needs to understand that the cage isn't a punishment, but necessary. The more comfortable the puppy is with the cage, the easier this entire process will be.

Be Strong. It is night time. You are finally ready for bed and you put your new puppy into their kennel. You crawl into bed and get comfortable. Then your house is filled with the most heartbreaking and obnoxious whimpering and barking from the puppy. You feel bad. They are in a new place, they are probably scared, and they just want some comfort. Do not fall for it. If you give in once, the dog will realize that you are weak. It will take advantage of any weakness you exhibit. Do not let the dog out of the cage, no matter how cute or how annoying it is. If you want to try and keep the dog quiet, try laying a blanket over the cage to offer the puppy some security. Make sure the blanket doesn't mean that much to you. Puppies have teeth and they really like to use them.

Welcome to Parenthood. Now for the fun part. Set an alarm on your phone for every three hours so that you can take the puppy outside periodically throughout the night. When the alarm goes off, clip your puppy to the leash and walk them around your yard/ building complex until they use the bathroom. (See. Leashes and collars are important.) They probably won’t go every time, so don’t be too concerned. Walk them around for about 15 minutes, or until they go. You will want to space the alarms out more and more as the puppy gets used to being taken outside. By two weeks, you should only need to be up twice for smaller dogs and once for bigger ones.

Continuing the Habit. When your puppy is going to the bathroom, make sure to encourage them. Like potty-training a little kid, you may have to use bribes. A treat every time they go to the bathroom is always a good idea. Furthermore, try saying a command word when the dog is going. That way, the dog recognizes the act of going to the bathroom outside as something good.

Congratulations. You now have a potty-trained puppy that won’t destroy your home anymore than they will with their teeth. Enjoy the cuteness that is your dog!!