Direct 4 Pet Advice on how to house train your new puppy!

It doesn’t get much more exciting than welcoming a new puppy or dog into your family – your new loyal friend is guaranteed to become an integral part of your life straight away!

As your new pet gets settled in their home, you’re going to need to teach them how to behave, & most importantly how to go the toilet!

It typically takes half a year for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to, and sometimes even over a year. Your dogs size usually plays a big factor within all of this. For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips outside. Your puppy's previous living conditions are another factor. You may find that you need to help your puppy break old habits in order to establish more desirable ones.

And while you're training, if there are setbacks, remember not to worry! As long as you continue your methods, they will learn!

When to Begin House Training Puppy?

Experts recommend that you begin house training your puppy when they are between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. At that point, they have enough control of their bladder and bowel movements to learn to hold it.

If your puppy is older than 12 weeks when you bring them home and have been eliminating in a cage (and possibly eating their waste), house training may take longer. You will have to reshape the dog’s behavior -- with encouragement and reward.

Steps for Housetraining Your Puppy - 

Experts recommend confining the puppy to a defined space, whether that means in a crate, in a room, or on a leash. As your puppy learns that they need to go outside to do their business, you can gradually give them more freedom to roam about the house.

When you start to house train, follow these steps:

Keep the puppy on a regular feeding schedule.

Take the puppy out to the toilet first thing in the morning and then once every 30 minutes to an hour. Also, always take them outside after meals or when they wake from a nap. As this will allow them to understand when & where to go the toilet. Remember to make sure they go out last thing at night and before they are left alone. This will help avoid any accidents!

Take the puppy to the same place or spot each time to do their business. This will usually let them know that it is toilet time!

Stay with them outside & reassure them, at least until they are house trained.

When your puppy eliminates outside, praise them or give a treat. Walkies is typically a nice reward!