Teaching your puppy to eliminate in the right places

A puppy learns to eliminate autonomously starting from the 3rd or 4th week of life (before that, the mother who takes care of this task by licking and stimulating the genital area). Up to four months of age, the puppy has a higher frequency of elimination (as soon as he wakes up, after playing or after a meal) since the bladder, anal sphincters and the musculature of the organs are not yet fully functional. It is not advisable to physically punish puppies in case elimination occurs inside the home since such punishment could only delay or impair proper learning in the external environment. It is better to bring the puppy to a suitable environment regularly during the times of the day discussed at the beginning. As the dog ages, it is able to retain the feces for a longer amount of time but it is a good idea not to exceed 6-8 hours between one elimination and the next.  

How to Train Your Dog to Use a Pee Pad

Although there are dog pads designed for elimination inside the home, it is preferable to limit their use during the very first period at home. Using these items for longer times is ethologically incorrect and could lead the dog to identify the carpets present in the home environment as suitable areas. The place where to insert the pads should be fixed and not changed often. After a long rest, shortly after a meal or after playing it is best to invite the puppy (without carrying it) to reach the area where the pad is present. Once a correct evacuation has been carried out, even casually, it is important to give gratification to the puppy (compliments, food rewards) so that it introjects what it has learned. It will be important to accompany the puppy in that area even during the night hours, in case it suddenly wakes up and complains (the bed will be a short distance from your bed). If the puppy eliminates outside the pad it will be important to avoid punishments. Verbally or physically punishing the puppy could create strong discomfort and undermine the trust it places in the Pet Parents. It is best to bring him to another place where a solitary activity can be carried out, then proceed to remove the feces and clean the area (this will avoid that the puppy will perceive the cleaning cloth as a toy to be pulled).  

Getting your puppy use to go outside for pee

As soon as possible, it will be important to take the puppy outside, initially in low-traffic areas adjacent to the house for small walks. Once the elimination has been carried out, the Pet Parents should congratulate the puppy, possibly with some food rewards. Gradually, the puppy will learn to eliminate outside the home and will prefer the external environment to fulfill physiological needs.