How to toilet train your Puppy or Dog

Ideally you should begin to toilet train your puppy or dog on the day you bring him home. You should also have a word that you can use as a command for the puppy to relieve himself something along the lines of be clean will not embarrass you in public!

The most important thing to remember is to be patient and that mistakes will happen. Give your dog a reward when he gets it right and never punish him when he does make a mistake.

Do not rub your dogs nose into the mess as this is cruel and unnecessary, your dog will not learn a thing by doing this it will just have a nose and mouth covered in mess.

Your puppy will need frequent opportunities to go out especially after eating, drinking, sleeping and when he is playing a game.

Let your puppy walk on a lead when he needs to relieve himself as activity encourages bowl movements.

Once the puppy is outside do not disturb him when he begins to sniff around or look interested in something. When he begins to go to toilet praise him gently but not excitedly as an enthusiastic owner may make the puppy stop. When he has finished you can then give him encouragement and a fuss.

If the weather allows try to leave the back door open, you may find that your puppy or dog starts going out by himself, when he does watch him and praise him (outside) when he finishes his toilet. If it isn’t possible to leave the back door open take puppy outside whenever he makes a move towards the door. It is best to do it immediately, even if your favourite television programme is on. Again watch him and praise him for being a good boy.

When you are confident that his toilet training is complete, you can begin to gradually reduce the amount of praise you give, and then to let him go outside alone.

NOTE: Always clean up after your dog when he / she does the deed in a public place