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You have your puppy at home, how do you train it?
Begin as soon as the puppy arrives in your home. Young puppies should be taken out immediately upon waking and just before retiring, as well as multiple times during the day. Most puppies cannot "hold it" for long periods so it will be necessary to take the puppy out almost every hour at first (especially after periods of play, naps, and mealtimes), and then gradually increase the amount of time between visits to the "bathroom".
Take the puppy to the same area each time and praise it immediately and enthusiastically when it eliminates. Do not play with, or talk to, the puppy until after it has eliminated. Remember, if the puppy doesn't eliminate outside, its urine and feces are being saved for deposit inside your house!
Puppy Housebreaking
A MUST for every good family dog, regardless of size or breed! Puppies may start classes when they are as young as 8 weeks old. Check with your veterinarian for class recommendations.
1. Crate training is the best way!
Crate size: the crate should be large enough for the puppy to stand and turn around in. It should not, however, be so large that the puppy can pee or poop in one corner and sleep comfortable in the other.
No food or water, just bedding and toy in the crate!
2. Adapt a schedule to fit your lifestyle
Take the puppy outside after it eats and after it has been in its crate for a long time. Praise your puppy while it is doing something GOOD in the act. CORRECT the puppy while it is doing something BAD in the act.
3. DON'T rub his nose in it: clean it up with bleach or odor remover
Be patient! Training takes time. Most times the owner is to blame for the puppy's mistakes.
General Schedule
Here's an example of a general schedule you can follow for puppies 2 to 6 months old, eating 3 meals a day and the owner is home or can get home at lunchtime. If your are not home for lunch, skip the afternoon portion of this schedule:
7:00 AM take puppy outside for a walk or play outside of home.
Do not wait until you shower or until coffee is made. Puppy should fully eliminate before coming back.
7:15 - 7:30 AM kitchen playtime
7:30 - 8:00 AM feed and water. Allow 15 to 20 minutes for eating then remove the food and water from the puppy.
8:00 AM Take puppy out for further eliminations.
Confine to crate when you leave
Place safe chew and play toys in the crate for entertainment. No food, water or bedding in crate.
Noon: take puppy outside for full eliminations
12:15 - 12:30 PM kitchen playtime
12:30 PM food and water for 15 to 20 minutes
12:45 PM take puppy out for more eliminations
1:00 PM return to crate
6PM take puppy out as soon as you get home from work
6:15 - 6:45 PM kitchen playtime
6:45 PM feed and water
7:00 - 8:00 take puppy outside
8:30 - 9:00 PM kitchen playtime
9:00 PM confine to crate
11:00 PM take puppy out, return to crate overnight.
You can modify this schedule to fit you and your puppy's needs. Keep in mind however, that if you are going to be away for 8 hours or more expect a few "accidents" here and there for the first few months. Remember that the crate training method is not cruel and it will allow you to enjoy your puppy for many years to come.
Good luck!
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