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 far too 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 wants something, I quickly lift him up and head to the laundry room exit to outside, all the while saying, “outside, outside, outside.”
When he is on the grass outside, I wait for his action to start 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 there are absolute essential times he must be taken out:
- AFTER ANY NAP,
- AFTER PLAYING,
- 10 MINUTES AFTER EATING,
- AFTER DRINKING WATER.
Those 4 fours are hard and fast rules. No debate. No thinking.
Signals
Otherwise you need to watch him for any action that looks like he wants to do something…Mico squeaks and starts circling as if looking for a spot. I ask, “Outside?” and take him out immediately.
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 occurences. Remember to use the appropriat verbal praise, a lot.
______________
