Why does it happen?
Puppies need to be trained where they can and cannot eliminate. If you have not designated an elimination space for your puppy, it could cause a spatial problem where they do not know where they can and cannot eliminate and end up finding their own places within the house, which can become their new improvised eliminating area[1]. Many owners will give their puppy a designated sleeping space at night. Puppies rarely eliminate where they sleep, but if given too big of a sleeping space, they may eliminate in their sleeping area, they are often cornered off or in a crate. They may even eliminate in their crate if it is too big for them. Puppies may also have separation anxiety, preference of surfaces, fear of the outside (or disliking the cold), marking territory, submission, and excitement.
How do you train them?
You will need to use consistency, patience and positive reinforcement. Begin by creating a schedule. Decide on a dedicated elimination spot and teach your puppy that is the correct spot by taking them to that area on a leash based on the elimination schedule and praise them when they get it right and treat them immediately after. Make sure to work in a cue so your puppy becomes familiar with it. Your schedule should roughly be after eating and playing, and after they wake up in the morning, after a nap, and at least one hour before bedtime (ensure you remove the water bowl at least two and a half hours before bed). Ensure you feed them on a schedule so that eliminations are more predictable[1]. If your puppy wakes you up in the night needing to go outside, do NOT ignore them and go back to sleep, it could reverse any previous house-training you have done. Don’t make a big deal when it is at night so that your puppy doesn’t get overly excited and want to play. Lastly, monitor the puppy at all times to prevent any accidents indoors – if unsure of their schedule, take them out every two hours. When you cannot monitor them, confine them to a safe place where they have learned is not a bathroom (see “Why does it happen?”), which should assist in their control to not eliminate in certain areas. A puppy can hold their bladder for one hour per month of life.
What happens if your puppy has an accident?
If your puppy has an accident, do NOT punish them. It may cause a set back in training and hinder your relationship with them. If you catch them during an accident, clap loudly to interrupt them but not frighten them – no words should be used. Take them outside to finish. If you miss their accident and only see it later, don’t bring your dogs attention to it and rub their nose in it, the accident has happened beforehand and the dog will not understand why they are being punished so late after. Thoroughly clean up any remnants/odours to prevent them from repeating the accident in the same place[2].
What are the signs that they want to eliminate?
Signs include whining, circling, sniffing, barking, and scratching at the door[3].
[1] The Humane Society of the United States. Nd. How to house-train your dog or puppy. Available from: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-house-train-your-dog-or-puppy (Accessed 20 April 2021) [2] The Humane Society of the United States. Nd. How to house-train your dog or puppy. Available from: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-house-train-your-dog-or-puppy (Accessed 20 April 2021) [3] Fetch. Nd. House Training Your Puppy. Available from: https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/house-training-your-puppy#2 (Accessed 20 April 2021)
[1] Fetch. Nd. House Training Adult Dogs. Available from: https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/house-training-adult-dogs#1 (Accessed 20 April 2021)
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