Dogs, unlike cats, are not really disciplined when it comes to the matter of waste disposal. You hence have to train it appropriately to dispose of its wastes. The use of a potty pad is perhaps the most notable of these. We examine how to train the puppy to use these pads in the proceeding conversations.
To tackle this chore, we’ll examine the step-by-step procedures you have to go through to be able to accomplish this role. Then, we’ll look into the tenets you have to adhere to in order that you do this job well. Remember, a balanced approach of this kind is by all means necessary.
7 Steps To Train Your Puppy Using Potty Pads
Select the right Pads
Pads come in diverse shades and forms. It is important that you make a nice and appropriate choice to be able to expedite the training. The one you pick has to be relevant to the states and the skill level of your dog. Then again it has to be well within your affordable range as a dog owner.
Position the pads strategically
Kick start the exercise by placing the pads strategically throughout the entire room. Place them at points that are easily visible by all and sundry.
That is to minimize the hassles that your dog may have to undergo while attempting to access them. Needless to point out, the place where you place the pads have to be easily visible to them.
Introduce a suitable command
Develop a suitable cue for the dog to get to the potty. This cue could be verbal or in the form of a gesture. It should be easy to remember and must be in such a way as to be easier for your dog to comprehend and master.
Repeat the command every quite often to see to it that it sinks in the mind of the puppy. Try using variations of the same to allow room for flexibility.
Maintain some consistency
To be able to fully inculcate the prompt to your dog, you should maintain some consistency. Get to the site or the room wherein the potty is stationed and have the dog respond to your commands repeatedly. That will sink the message in.
Develop a suitable reward mechanism
It pays to go beyond merely letting your dog know about the commands and how to respond to the same. You want to encourage it to do the same on its own. One sure way of getting about this issue is to develop and maintain a suitable reward mechanism. Give it a treat or take it for a walk.
Time the Training well
There are moments when dogs will most likely want to pee. These are just after waking up, after a heavy meal, and moments before sleeping. Time your training to coincide with such moments.
The chances of obtaining better outcomes are higher. Then again, the possibility of there being any messy residues on the floor is highly minimized.
Monitor the progress of your dogs
You have to monitor the progress of your dog diligently all the while. Be sure to take note of any adverse issues or lags and developing suitable counter-mechanisms to remedy them.
That will also go a long way in enhancing the responsiveness of the dog to your prompts. It goes without saying that you should remedy any errors or inconsistencies that the dog exhibits in the course of the training.
Tips for successful workouts and training
Now that we have already looked at the steps to take to actualize such training, we now examine the tips you will have to adhere to in order to make the entire hassle-free:
Be Patient
It may never be possible for your puppy to get everything right in the first few attempts. That is why patience comes in handy. Just try over and over again until such a time that the puppy has mastered the art of what you are attempting to inculcate to it.
Supervise at All Times
Throughout the training exercise, maintain a keen eye of attention on the puppy. This is crucial for your own safety and the overall wellbeing of the room wherein you deploy the puppy. Be on the lookout particularly for the various pieces of furniture that may exist in the room as they are the greatest culprits.
Use a Crate
Make extensive use of a crate when training your puppy to use the potty. A crate is generally safer and secure. Moreover, when appropriately introduced to the dogs at an early age, the dog will view the crate as a safer abode rather than a punishment. Place the crates at locations that are easier to come across, spot, or note.
Maintain some Predictability
Other than patience, you will also have to maintain some predictability when training your dogs. Set and stick to a schedule of the training in order to ward off any accidents that may arise in the course of doing so. Even when you do not feel like training your dog, just be sure to follow the routine to the latter. Such regular patterns are easier to follow through and master.
Switch From Pads to the Outdoors
It is necessary that you give your dogs a balanced approach or views. This can only happen if you switch from the pads to the outdoors and vice versa. The idea is to introduce it to as many waste disposal mechanisms as possible. That will also minimize any confusion and misgivings that may come along the way.
Handle Accidents Calmly
From time to time, accidents will certainly happen. However, these ought not to be so much of a big deal. As a matter of fact, you should handle them calmly without any panic or unnecessary anxiety. Do not shout, yell, or overreact to any misgivings that the puppy may display. Rather, maintain some calm and gentleness along the way.
Use a Reward-punishment Mechanism
As always, the reward-punishment mechanism is the best approach to employ at such times. When a dog is rewarded for something good it has done, it will normally receive the motivation it needs to do the same thing over and over again. The opposite of course holds for the negative thing.
Go for Advanced Training
When all is said and done, you have to consider advanced training. This is an option you should try out if the puppy you have in your possession is most likely going to be used for professional applications. Such training requires some decent financial endowment on your part nonetheless.
Conclusion
Some puppies have been noted to chew and eat away the pads. Kindly discourage them from doing this. That may require you to develop a keen eye of attention each time you take it to the pads.
Overall, this training takes roughly one month, give or take. Is it not a wise thing for you to spread the news as far wide as possible? Let others tap into and enjoy the selfsame advantages!
