They are adorable with the natural ability to melt your heart!
But they can also be stubborn when it comes to potty training!
Don’t miss our earlier blog post with expert advice on how to potty train your new puppy with Puppy Potty Training: 10 Tips.
But if you’re looking for in-depth tips and guidance on how to potty train a stubborn puppy, keep reading below!
Potty Training: Timetable
Remember, your young puppy is learning how to control his bladder and he needs your help to be successful! “It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house-trained, but some puppies may take up to a year,” advises Pets WebMD.
As a puppy parent, remember to always:
- Stay the course with
- Lots of patience and
- Positive reinforcement when potty training your puppy!
Crate Training the Puppy
As we discussed in an earlier blog, crate training is one of the most effective ways to housebreak a new puppy even those that are stubborn!
Review our “How to Use Crate Training in Housebreaking” blog.
Potty Training a Stubborn Puppy: Tips
But what if all your housebreaking efforts are unsuccessful? Review the basics and ensure you’re doing all the right things to set your puppy up for success with his housebreaking.
Schedules & Routines
Always follow a strict schedule for your puppy when he:
- Wakes up and before bed.
- Eats.
- Plays and exercises.
If you cannot follow a strict schedule every day, hire a dependable dog walker to give your puppy enough potty breaks to avoid unnecessary accidents and delayed potty training.
Potty Training: What NOT to Do!
NEVER yell, scold, punish or shove your puppy’s nose in his mess!
Your puppy has no idea why you are so upset! All dogs live in the moment and cannot make the association that you are punishing him for an earlier mess.
How to Take Your Puppy Outside
Remember your puppy gets easily distracted! Always leash him and make sure he does his business outside before coming back inside and surprising you with a mess.
Take your puppy to the same spot to go potty especially early on. Family members and dog walkers should also go to the same spot, so your puppy understands this is where he does his business. Enforce this behavior with a verbal cue also.
Praise in the Moment!
When your puppy does his business outside, be ready to praise and reward him at that moment so your puppy learns even faster!
Potty Training Cues
Dogs communicate through body language. Carefully watch your puppy and learn his cues when he needs to go outside. Cues like:
- Sniffing the floor or ground.
- Pacing.
- Whining.
- Turning in a circle (AKA the “potty dance”).
Making Potty Training FUN!
Teach your puppy to let you know he needs to go out! Hang a bell on the knob of the door you use to go out and make it a fun game! Teach him to ring the bell with his nose and reward him with lots of praise and high-value treats!
Learn more on the AKC website here.
If you are still having issues with effectively housebreaking your puppy,
consult with your regular veterinarian to rule out any physical issues
and also an expert in dog training or K9 behavioral modification.
ARKANSAS BEAR CREEK
GOLDENS AND DOODLES
F1 Toy Aussiedoodle Puppies
Available for Deposit in Northern Arkansas!
We are a small family breeder located in the heart of the Ozarks in Northern Arkansas. We strive to raise healthy, happy, well-socialized, quality Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Mini Labradoodle and Aussiedoodle puppies.
All our puppies come with a health guarantee for their first 12 months of age.
Please text or call us at 870-404-0127 or 870-404-1189 or use our Contact Form here for more information about upcoming litters.
