Potty Training your Pup or Dog!! Tips, tricks and secrets to help you on your way to a clean home

Potty training your new best friend can be one of the most challenging things about owning a dog. Although it is difficult, it is certainly one piece of your new pups training you will want to follow through with. If you don't get your pup house broken then don't expect to have an adult dog in 4 years who suddenly decides to go his business outside, if he likes doing it in the corner near your washing or in the middle of the floor like he has done since he was a pup then thats where he's going to do it. Now panic over, take that deep breath and relax, Dogs are smart, they will get there in the end, you just need to follow through with the correct behaviour and don't give up.

Ever heard that old saying about rubbing his nose in it? Well if so I urge you not to, not only is it cruel but you want your first interactions with your dog (especially puppies - remember they are babies after all) to be pleasant and rewarding.

Here is your first secret: Dogs unlike humans live in the moment!! Sounds wonderful right! A life where you don't regret the things you have done in the past or beat yourself up for things you never got round to doing. A life where you don't worry about bills or coming events in the future. Well thats how a dog lives, in the present, in the moment, right now. So if you find that when you return to your pup that he or she has left a nice little present DON'T punish your pup. Not only will you upset them but they will be confused as to why they are even being punished, just take a deep breath, relax and calmly clean up their mess. If you come back to catch your pup in the act, then again DON'T punish. If you can, quickly pick them up and take them to the spot where you want them to do it.

Here is your second secret: Guide Dogs for the blind train their dogs to spend (go toilets) on command (I won't tell you what command they use, it would be unfair on the guide dog owners. Plus you can choose your own). Pretty amazing stuff right!! Remember you can train your dog to do nearly anything. The trick is to repeat whichever word you choose as your command when your pup is doing his business in the garden (or whichever area you choose for him to do it in) and reward him/her after going in your chosen area. You can also use this trick to help your dog with basic commands, for instance when your dog naturally sits say the word "Sit" and reward the dog with treats and praise after. The dog eventually picks up the command and movement by association and realizes that when you say the word sit, if he or she does so then he'll/she'll get a treat.

Here is your third secret: Puppies normally do their business about 30 mins after feeding so keep your feeding times regular and always make sure that you stay with your pup for at least 45-60 mins after they eat, or at least until they have spent. Keep your eye on your pup in this time, if he/she starts to sniff the floor in circles then nows the time to take your pup outside.

Here is your fourth secret: Dogs have much better noses then Humans. If your pup finds a spot in your home to do his business then chances are this will be the spot where he/she will continue to do their potty. Buy a proper dog mess cleaner to mask the smell, house hold cleaners won't work, you may think the smell has gone but if you don't use a proper cleaner the pup will still be able to smell where they have been before.

Here is your fifth and Final secret: Keep calm, relax and breath. Never let you loose yourself, remember Dogs are pack animals, if you can't be leader then your dog will certainly fill that roll for you (you do not want this, if the dog thinks its pack leader then that makes you a follower and what dog says goes). One sure way to lose pack leader status is to loose your temper, remember keep cool and calm in all situations, think about some of the worlds inspirational leaders and role models, ever seen them loose their cool?? I doubt it. All dogs, like humans are different so if your pup is taking a little longer to get it then someone else's did, then don't lose it, keep cool, they all get there in the end.

I hope some of this helps and good luck with your new best friend. If you need cheap supplies for your pup or any of your other pets then come visit us at www.petwonders.co.uk