For puppies, part of learning the ways of the human world includes housebreaking. Unfortunately, this process can be somewhat “messy” and may take as long as a few weeks for your puppy to fully comprehend.
Fortunately, there are countless urine cleaning products on the market which can help in the overall process of housebreaking if they are properly chosen and used. These products can range from “potty deterrents” to simply removing odor from the carpet or rug.
Cleaning Up the Mess
If a puppy urinates in the home remember to blot, not wipe, the puddle up. Wiping the urine spreads it. This small later becomes a “calling card” for puppies, much as a restroom sign is to people. If you spread the scent you make a bigger “sign” for the puppy to come back and pee in the same spot later! Instead you want to take the sign down, and this is where urine cleaning products come in.
Never use ammonia based products to clean a wet spot as this, too, works against what you’re trying to achieve. Instead you want to neutralize the smell. Remember dogs have a much better sense of smell than we do. What we don’t notice may be very noticeable to them!
Dealing with An “Accident”
Another important point is to never let the puppy see you clean up the mess. In nature, the mother dog always cleans up after the puppies. If the puppy sees you cleaning up after him then, through his natural instincts, he may think he is doing what he is supposed to do by pottying inside.
Instead, you want to project displeasure at his action, but only if you catch him in the act. Puppies have short attention spans and typically can’t (and won’t) remember things that happened mere minutes ago. Only scold him if you actually see him going potty, otherwise you will just confuse him with your anger as he won’t know what you’re upset about.
Equally, it’s not productive to rub the puppy’s nose in the mess or spank the puppy with a newspaper, especially after the fact. Praise will get through much quicker. We can also use tools and supplies such as puppy training pads and urine cleaning products as a secondary way to alter his natural behavior and help the him learn our “rules.”
Redirection
Although urine cleaning product may fix accidents inside, you still need to help the puppy learn where he should potty. Ingraining this behavior early will help. You should be housebreaking your puppy from the day he arrives.
Here are a few quick pointers. If you catch him squatting inside, say “NO!” (firmly enough to startle him and stop him from pottying), scoop him up and take him outside. Then, when he begins his pottying outside instead, praise him. This redirects his actions and allows you to show your displeasure at one action (urinating in the house) while also rewarding him for doing something good (pottying outside).
Keep in mind, if you puppy is having an exceedingly hard time understanding this concept or seems to be having frequent accidents, you may need to have the veterinarian examine him. A number of breeds are prone to bladder infections which result in frequent urination. This can sometimes be confused with the puppy not understanding the housebreaking process, but actually stems from an internal problem. If this is the case it is easily treated with antibiotics, but you will need to be more patient with the overall training process.
Conclusion
Puppy’s want to obey the rules but we need to realize it is our ‘job’ to make it clear to them what the rules are. Like humans, puppy’s learn from repetition. Just think about the last time you received a conflicting message from someone. It’s frustrating and confusing! Likewise, puppies experience the same emotions.
Try to stop and think about the message you are sending to your puppy before you act. Proper leadership is vital. Additionally, using urine cleaning products and other housebreaking tools can help send the right message to your new puppy and avoid the confusion.
Keep in mind, prevention of accidents is obviously the best and most efficient way to teach. Getting your puppy on a schedule early on in his life will help him more than any other tool or supply.
Related posts:
- Puppy Ear Cleaning Routines
- Cleaning Up After Your Puppy
- Proper Cleaning of a Dog Leash
- Cleaning Time – How to Clean Plush Dog Toys
- Cleaning Time – How to Clean Rubber Dog Toys
