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HOUSEBREAKING HINTS Here are a few do's and don'ts on this subject. Generally right after a puppy drinks, eats, wakes up from a nap, plays it has to eliminate. They do not get full control of bladder function for several months so you have to be very vigilant. By controlling feeding times you will greatly improve your chances to teach proper potty skills. Restrict or remove all water before bedtime for this period. When they are very young you won't need a leash but the sooner you leash break them the more control you'll have. For the earliest period do NOT allow the puppy free run of the house, keep it in the same room with you at all times. When they look like they are going to go quickly grab up the little one and wrap its tail under its belly get it outside and put it down where you want it to do it's business. I find it very helpful not to completely clean this area up. I know it sounds gross but the puppy needs all the help you can give it to understand why it is outside when ten seconds ago it was in the house. Praise lavishly when it pees or poops, your neighbors may laugh but remember its not their carpet that is at risk here. I always use a specific word during this exercise, "go potty" and then "good puppy" repeatedly lots of pets , lots of praise. Remember this is a specific training you are trying to do, so the only purpose of these trips outside is to go potty therefore immediately go back inside. DO NOT start a play session now. If you want to go outside and play then first go into the house wait a few minutes and then go back out. When they are on a leash go to one spot and stand there, don't go wandering all over the place as the puppy will forget why you're there. Just keep repeating "go potty" until it does then praise, praise, praise. Don't take your puppy for walks to housebreak, it will have no idea why it was taken outside. This is not to say don't take it for walks, just when you are training. DON'T RUB THE PUPPIES NOSE IN A PILE OR PUDDLE IN THE HOUSE!! IT DOESN'T MEAN A THING TO THE PUP AND IT WILL LEARN TO FEAR YOU. If and when a "mistake" happens IGNORE IT. Just clean it up as discretely as possible spray the area with diluted white vinegar. If you catch junior in the midst of going gently scoop him up and take it outside at once to finish. Ironically this seems to make the point the best to them.
Editors Note: The neighbors might think you are crazy, but you wont be the one standing outside waiting on rainy days!
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