HOUSE TRAINING or HOUSE BREAKING
House breaking or potty training is a real test of patience in a 9 week old puppy. His signals are too vague and a little inconsistant but watch him closely and you will learn them.
Pick him up and go outside
When I think he needs to go out, or if I think he looks in pee/potty stress, like he want to do one of them, I quickly lift him up and head to the laundry room exit outside, all the while saying, “outside, outside, outside.”
When he is on the grass outside, I wait for his action saying “go pee” or ‘go potty” whichever is appropriate for that outing…as soon as he crouches to do his business, I praise him…”Good Mico, good doggy, good Mico.”
The signals
Learn his signals, although they absolute essential times he must be taken out: 1. AFTER ANY NAP, 2. AFTER PLAYING, 3. 10 MINUTES AFTER EATING, 4. AFTER DRINKING WATER.
1-4 are hard fast rules. No debate. No thinking.
Signals
Otherwise you need to watch him for any action that looks like he wants something…Mico squeaks and starts circling as if looking for a spot. I ask, “Outside?” take him out. Then do lots of praising outside when he goes into action, “Good pee,” “Good potty,”…you will see him crouch differently for each action. Learn which crouch is for which action and use the appropriate verbal praise. You will learn to recognize his crouches within 2 or 3 events, very quickly. Remember to use the appropriat verbal praise, a lot.
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