INDOOR PUPPY POTTY TRAINING

 

Teaching your puppy to do his business indoors does not need to be difficult! All Royal Flush Havanese puppies begin paper training here with us from the moment they can walk. Within the first week of training, they almost always only go on the paper!

Many people choose to keep their pups paper/pad trained for a multitude of reasons. Some are not able to bring their dogs out often, some live in areas with extremely cold/warm temperatures and others just like the convenience of it! Below are some tips that will help you teach your pup where to do his business during inside house training!

Much like when training your pup to go outdoors, we recommend umbilical cord training for indoors as well! Our families have amazing success, and this method will work perfectly if you follow through!

1st step is being prepared.

• You should have a small pen area set up where you will always keep his pad/potty area.
• The first few days your puppy is home he should not be roaming and exploring his new surroundings.
• He should be firmly by your side on the short leash. He should not be more than two-three feet away from you at any time.

*YOU MUST SUPERVISE YOUR PUPPY AT ALL TIMES WHEN HE IS WEARING A LEASH*

*PLEASE NOTE: If he cannot be with you (you’re eating, cooking, showering etc.) he should be in his crate, for short amounts of time. *

Setting up the Potty Area

• You should purchase a small pen of personal preference to contain his potty area.          

1.             WIRE EXERCISE PEN
2.             TRAVEL LITE SOFT SIDED PEN
3.             MOBILE PET PEN
4.             IRIS EXERCISE DOG PLAYPEN W/DOOR

• Choose the area in which you are going to keep the pad.
• Using too many areas or putting pads down everywhere will just confuse your pup and teach him it’s okay to do his business all over your home.
• After setting up the pen place the pad to one side.
• His pad should always be clean- he will avoid going on it even if it’s just a little soiled!

Indoor Potty Options

1. Newspaper:

           PROS:

• Great if you read a ton of newspaper and don’t know what to do with them!
• Cost efficient
• Easily available for purchase.

          CONS:

• Paper will absorb moisture, but once wet it can soak through the floor
• Newspaper print can get on your dog’s paws

       2. Potty/Pee Pads:

          PROS:

• Absorbent
• Lined with plastic to prevent leakage from the edges.
• Easily available for purchase.
• Easy Cleanup

         CONS:

• Some pups will shred- the material inside is not easily digestible and can make your pup sick!
• Plastic backing can cause pad to slide on some surface making it very easy to make messes!

TIP: FOR PAPER/PADS WE RECOMMEND GETTING A HOLDER! THIS WILL KEEP THE PAD IN PLACE, KEEP PUPPY FROM CHEWING AND STOP URINE FROM SOAKING THROUGH!

      3. LITTER BOX:

         PROS

• Easy Cleanup
• Creates a clear/defined potty area.
• Available at any pet store.

         CONS:

• Your puppy will most likely try to eat the litter in the beginning.
• Some pups may be skittish of the box and not want to go in.
• Some pups may dig the litter out of the box like a game and make a mess.

      4. TURF OR SOD PADS:

          PROS:

• Can easily replace old products with sod or turf.
• Pups can easily distinguish texture of turf/sod from your floors.
• The turf/sod pad is heavy and not easily moved around.
• This will work well if you intent to eventually teach your dog to do his business outdoors.

          CONS:

1. If not cleaned efficiently it will smell and hold dangerous bacteria
2. Your pup can chew and destroy the sod/turf if not monitored properly.
3. Not readily available at most pet stores.

WHEN TO TAKE YOUR PUPPY TO DO HIS BUSINESS:

• As soon as he wakes up in the morning (your Havanese puppy has a tiny bladder! He will NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD IT! Carry him right to his potty area to do his business in the morning!
• At least every couple of hours (until your Havanese puppy is on a set schedule and you are aware he must go it’s best to take him to his potty area every few hours to prevent accidents!)
• Shortly after eating/drinking (your Havanese puppy has a very small digestive tract. It won’t take him long to pass his last meal!)
• Every 15 or so minutes when playing (Your Havanese puppy will be very excited during playtime. Best to take him to his area within 15min to prevent any accidental tinkles!)

HELPFUL HOUSEBREAKING TIPS:

• When you feed him, do so in his potty area.
• The pad should be to one side and the food/water on the other.
• Leave him there until he does his business.
• As soon as he does his business you must praise him! Lots of “you’re such a good boy” and petting.

*The most important part is the positive reinforcement. When he does his business in the right spot you must tell him what a good boy he is and lots of positive attention. When he goes where he is not supposed to you must use a negative tone of voice and tell him that he is “Naughty” and make sure he knows you are upset. Bring him to his potty area and give praise! Positive/negative reinforcement is the best way to get your puppy to follow through on all good behavior. *

Remember, at Royal Flush Havanese we are ALWAYS here to help you! Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or are nervous about your first week home with your new Havanese puppy! This should be a happy, joyful, and loving experience for everyone! Be sure to check out our Housebreaking Your Havanese Puppy Blog for more helpful tips!