POTTY TRAINING
Poodles are very intelligent and easy to train. in fact it is more a process of the puppy training
you and not you training the puppy. Please note that consistency is the KEY no matter what method of training you use. if
you do not have your poodle puppy house broken in a matter of a couple of weeks then YOU are probably doing something wrong.
INSIDE POTTY TRAINING
All my puppies have been trained to a wee wee pad since about the time they are 2
weeks old. This is a scented pad that attracts the puppy to it. It has an absorbent side and a blue waterproof side. This
is a great tool for training your puppy and speeds up the housebreaking process. These pads can be purchased at any store
that carries pet supplies.
REMEMBER - When training your puppy that they are very young and have a little attention span
and an even smaller bladder. Patience is a virtue! We recommend that you keep your puppy in a small confined area with a wee-wee
pad in one end. Keep this away from the food dish and the bed. Puppies do not like to go where they eat and sleep.
Note: Some puppies will tend to wet on the pad but will not defecate on the pad. If you are having this problem try adding
another pad to the area that they are defecating. Some dogs will refuse to walk on a wet pad and will tend to find another
place to do their business.
Just letting your puppy have the run of the house is NOT a good idea and is just asking for
trouble! A house is an awfully big place for a little tiny puppy and they will have a very hard time remembering where their
wee-wee pad is. It is fine to take your puppy out and play with him and hold him, in fact please do, just do not let him be
unsupervised. For safety sake for you puppy and for the sake of your carpets or floors.
As your puppy grows and
learns you can gradually move the wee-wee pad closer to the door and outside if this is your ultimate goal.
Wee-wee pads
can also be helpful if you live in cold climates with rain or snow and puppy refuses to go out in the weather.
Another
NOTE: Dog go through a certain TEENAGER phase around 6-8 months that will drive you nuts and test you in every way. Do not
be surprised if during this time it seems like you have to almost start over with potty training. This phase only lasts 3-4
weeks and everything should return to normal.
OUTSIDE POTTY TRAINING
When training to potty outside, we recommend taking your puppy out every hour to start
with. Set a timer and when it goes off take your puppy out immediately. As the puppy grows and matures you can lengthen times
between trips. it is also smart to take your puppy out after naps and meals.
It is best if you take your puppy consistently
to one spot. Another way to facilitate this is to have one of the male humans (either a husband or son) pee in a cup and then
pour that into the spot you want your puppy to go. This may sound gross but it REALLY WORKS!!!!!
As your puppy becomes
older and you have learned to read your puppy's signs, you will be able to tell when your puppy needs to go out. Remember,
once your puppy tells you he needs to go out TAKE THEM!!!
Still having problems potty training?
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First off if they are having accidents go back to square one. DO NOT give them free run of the house!!! I can not stress
this enough!!! You can take them out to play on your lap or right where you are. You can even put a long training lead on
them to keep them right where you are. I would hook them to you so that they have to go with you. This way you are close and
you can see when they are giving you any sort of signs. Next again I would set a timer and take them out every hour. Then
use a call word such as tinkle or pee pee or potty or even poop when you go outside. Have their favorite toy or treat with
you. Once they do go potty then reward them and praise them in a high pitched happy voice. They will come to learn that outside
potty time is fun and rewarding. I would also recommend hanging by the door (that you take them out) or from the door knob
a long string of jingle bells. When you got to take them outside ring the bells the first few times yourself. Then have the
dog ring the bells with either paw or nose. Remember to do this every time. Just praise them for ringing the bell and take
them outside immediately! Soon they will realize that the bells mean going outside to potty. The end result will be the dog
ringing the bells to tell you they need to go out on their own. Most dogs should pick this up really quick.
NOTE: DO NOT treat them for ringing the bells though or they will learn to ring the bell to get a treat . Just like Pavlov's
dogs. It is amazing the things they pick up. Only treat when they has gone outside and DONE SOMETHING! If you just treat them
when you go outside then they will go outside just to get treats also and will not do anything for you. You have to really
watch these guys they are so stinking smart they will rule you if they can.
TERRITORY MARKING IN THE HOUSE
I treat this as a potty training issue. For heaven sakes if you male starts to mark his territory in you house, NIP IT
IN THE BUD IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!
The sooner you stop this behavior the easier life will be.
The average age for males to mark their territory varies from breed to breed and depends upon how quickly your breed
and or variety reaches sexual maturity. You may find that some males will never mark their territory.
In toy poodles males will usually start this around 6 months or so. So if you are not planning on breeding I would recommend
neutering your male before this time so they do not learn this behavior.
Standard poodles reach maturity usually much latter so they may not lift their legs until much closer to 1 year of age.
I teach my males to not lift their legs in the house and I have several males together that are not neutered and I do
not have an issue.
Several methods that have worked for me.
You need to keep a close eye on your males during this time. You need to catch the dog in action. Punishing or correcting
the dog after the fact will do nothing.
Once I see a male lift his leg I use a spray bottle to stop them. This usually works very, very well. I also tell them
in a firm voice NO! If you have a dog that is easy to train you will find this will work quickly to stop the problem.
For more difficult dogs I have found a good scare a time or two will work great.
I will put pennies into a tin can or coffee can to make a loud rattle. This will startle your dog and he will learn when
he lifts his leg that he hears this sound. In extreme cases I have taken the car and thrown it beside the dog. DO NOT HIT
YOUR DOG WITH ANYTHING!!!! When the can lands next to the dog they are startled and do not know where it came from so they
do not associate this sound with you.
Some people have had a lot of luck with Belly Bands on their males. This keeps the boys from marking as they are covered
up.
Whatever method works for you, just remember that the sooner you stop the behavior the quicker you can get on with life
and enjoying your dog.
CLEAN UPS
Did puppy have an accident somewhere in the house that you need to clean up?
The quicker you do it after puppy has messed the easier it is to clean!
There are some wonderful products out there and there are some that just do not work at all.
Natures Miracle is a wonderful product for removing stains but not so good for removing odors.
If you want to remove the odor so that you dog will NOT use that spot again I recommend white vinegar. You can mix this
in a spray bottle with water. IT WILL NOT STAIN YOUR FLOORS.
There is also another new product out there that looks to be wonderful. This is URINE GONE. I comes complete with a black
light so that you can see where the stains are in the house. You just spray the product on these stains and it will remove
the stain and the odor completely. I have not tried it yet but have heard wonderful things from clients. You can get this
product off the TV, Online, or from your local Walmart.
