Puppy Potty Training 101

She's brown and fuzzy. Her four chubby legs wobble and she loves to nibble on your finger. Kola is the new addition to your family and everything she does is so cute. Everything except when she goes pee and poop on the floor.

Kola is only a few weeks old and is still trying to seek direction on what is good and bad behavior. Her whole world is big so she often gets confused on where and when to relieve herself. The only way she can learn is by trying out different locations all over the place and look to you for a reaction. Don't hate your puppy for not knowing, just start potty training her.

Puppy potty training will take some patience but if done correctly puppy potty training should only take a maximum of six months. Some people claim they were able to potty train their puppy in less than a few weeks. Since puppies are developing rapidly at this stage, they eat more food, burn up more energy and need to eliminate much more frequently. They also have not yet developed bowel and bladder control, so they can't 'hold it' as long as adult dogs.

You could crate train your puppy to help speed along her potty training. Buy Kola at crate that is big enough for her sit, lie down, and turn around in. Animals do not like to urinate or defecate in their own sleeping area. If the crate is too big it will giver her incentive to choose a corner to relieve herself in. Place bedding or blankets down to capture Kola's body scent and this will indicate to her that her crate is her own personal space. Crate training is done by keeping Kola confined until she shows a need to go to the bathroom. You then take her directly outside and reward her for urinating in the grass. The use of crate training to potty train your puppy will always guarantee you to be around when she goes and positively reward her for doing so.

If you do not believe in having your puppy potty trained with use of a crate then you can paper train her. When you leave the house, throw down some newspaper or doggie pads in the area Kola is confined in. When you come home do not scold her for peeing and pooing on the paper and she will soon learn that paper is an acceptable place to go. Slowly eliminate the quantity of paper use so Kola is eventually going over one square and your floor is saved. Don't be surprised if Kola relapses after you are convinced she has learned it. This is a common experience in puppy potty training so just reinforce the practice and she will understand.

If you are home often and just want to handle puppy potty training the old fashion way, then you should take Kola out every 45 minutes, after a play session, eating, and drinking. Praise her profusely and enthusiastically when she goes potty outside. You might even consider taking her to the same spot outside so she can smell her last moment there and remember what she is being influenced to do. Do not ever harshly punish Kola during the puppy potty training sessions by physical abuse because she is too young to connect her actions with your reactions. Instead stick to using negative tones in your voice while showing her exactly what she did wrong. Immediately take her outside after reprimanding her so she knows what you want her to do. If she has the ability to continue relieving herself once outside then praise your puppy for being potty trained.

Potty training your puppy might take a while but it will certainly bring your relationship closer and allow Kola to identify you as her leader. Ultimately, potty training your puppy will strengthen your bond. Just think about how cute she will be once she stops peeing and pooing on your rug!

Ruby Fayed is an avid dog lover and premier article author for http://www.tailoredtail.com For more information on dog carriers, dog beds, and dog clothes, please visit our website for everyday savings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ruby_Fayed