Toilet Training PuppiesToilet training puppies seems like an insurmountable task. There is pee on your wonderful family room rug, a poop in the bedroom, and wait! -- is that more pee on the kitchen floor? Your Golden Retriever puppy seems to carry more pee in his bladder than the volume of his entire body! He pees after he plays, he pees after he drinks water, he pees after he wakes up... It can seem like the battle's lost before you've even started. But you ARE going to be able to do this -- and it will probably be done much quicker than you think. Here's all it takes to toilet train puppies -- Consistency, Consistency, Consistency! And throw in a dash of patience! Even before the puppy comes home, try to designate a specific area for his toileting. Preferably this should be outside to avoid messy indoor clean-ups and odors. Distinguish that area by putting some different texture there (such as hamster cage shavings). In the beginning, the puppy will be clueless as to where to relieve himself. In fact he will be busy exploring the new surroundings and may “mark” several spots. You must be the pack leader for your puppy to train him to go in the specific area you have prepared for him. Always use the same command when you want him to relieve himself. Some I have heard are “get busy,” “do your business,” "go potty" and of course "make mama proud." At first the puppy will not understand this command. But over the first few days, he will start to associate this command with the relieving place. He will learn that he should relieve himself there and in fact will prefer that location over all others. Every time your puppy does relieve himself in the designated space after hearing your special command, you have to provide plenty of praise.. In fact, break out into a song and dance, clap your hands, say "good boy" in a high-pitched tone -- whatever it takes. Did I mention that you have to provide plenty of praise? Now with the timing. As you have undoubtedly noticed, puppies need to go very frequently. So every time you feel the puppy looks restless or if it has been 1-2 hrs since the last episode, take him to the spot. If you are crate-training , it is important to go to the spot right after you get the puppy out of the crate. Make sure you do not provide an unlimited supply of water when toilet training puppies. Provide him with plenty of fresh water of course, but in a supervised manner. Knowing when and how much water your puppy has drunk will help you determine when to take him out. Generally speaking, take the puppy out about 5-10 minutes after he drinks or eats. Despite all your efforts, while you toilet train your puppy, there is no question that he will have numerous accidents. This is not his fault -- this is just how things go. If you catch him in the act, startle him with something like a loud "no!", and take him out immediately to his spot. If you do not catch him in the act and later discover a mess, just feel sorry for yourself, grab that cleaning solution you purchased, and get to work. Don't scold the puppy for an earlier accident! It is too late by then, and he has no idea why you are getting mad. The time it takes for toilet training puppies varies. Generally speaking, it ranges anywhere from 10 days to a month. So keep at it -- all it takes is planning, patience and above all, consistency.
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