Fido Finding Success - potty training a puppy

Fido Finding Success – potty training a puppy

We love our furry little friends, don’t we? As a culture we seem to be preoccupied with creating little lives for our pets that mimic the hustle and bustle of our own existence. Sometimes the work it takes to maintain their schedules and owner-imposed emotions. Ultimately, keep our own lives sane is enough to question the ever so popular monacher, “Man’s Best Friend.” We know that a relationship with a dog is an important bond. This bond often surpasses words. The trials and tribulations of your furry best friend can leave a pet owner wondering if it’s worth all the fuss.

It can be a challenge to encourage your pupper to behave in a way that your best friend should!

Like most friendships, a few slip-ups here and there are forgivable. Especially, if they are made with good intentions and dark brown eyes that seem to say ‘I’m Sorry….’ The most egregious errors are usually those involving little Fido’s inability to find the guest bathroom and use it properly. House training is one aspect of dog behavior training that has its challenges, both for your pet, and for you! And, when left unattended or mismanaged, your flooring is the one that pays.

Pet fecal matter, both urine and feces, can severely damage your floors, especially carpet. If messes are left untreated or not properly cared for, the damage is often irreversible, leaving a lasting odor and visible stain. However, if treated immediately, pet stains don’t have to be permanent!

While we suggest leaving your pet-training to a professional, here are some tips. These tips help both you and your dog jumpstart the potty training process and navigate different solutions:

Crate Training:

Dogs are naturally clean animals. They don’t like to live on or amongst messes. Some may cringe at the thought of putting your precious little fluff into a metal cage. It is a tried and true method. It helps your dog understand the proper place to eliminate. Most dogs find comfort in the security of a crate. The crate should be just large enough for the dog to sit, stand, and turn-around. If their space is too big, your pup will likely mess in one corner and sleep in another. Most crates come with a divider that can be repositioned as the dog grows in size.

Keep a Schedule:

Both solids and liquids move quickly through canine’s digestive system. If your pet has constant access to food and water, it will be more difficult for them to control their systems. Sticking to 3 meal times a day, with 3 corresponding opportunities to go outside, helps the dog (and owner!) develop restraint. Frequent trips outside are key; after playtime, after waking up from a nap, after chewing a bone, after being in their crate, etc.

Correct Effectively:

Even the best laid plans can not prevent all mistakes, and, crying over spilled milk is useless. Punishing your dog for making a mess in the house is usually a worthless act that results in nothing more than your dog being confused. Never physically punish an animal for voiding in the house, especially if the act has already passed. If you happen to get ‘lucky’ and catch your dog in the act of squatting or beginning to make a mess, pick your dog up and take them outside immediately. Focus your energy on positive praise when your animal behaves in the way you expect.

Clean up messes properly:

If residue is left from a mess, a dog will likely use the same spot in the future because it’s attracted to its previous scent. It is important to soak up any urine before treating the area with a professional cleaner. Also, use the ‘dabbing’ motion rather than a back and forth ‘scrubbing’ motion to avoid working the stain into the carpet fibers.