If you decide to keep a dog in your apartment, one of the most important factors for a comfortable life for both you and your pet is cleanliness. It's best to shape your four-legged friend's character and habits from puppyhood, but this must be approached with the utmost responsibility.
Puppy sellers often claim that their pet is trained to relieve itself in a designated area. But in reality, when a small dog is brought home, the first thing it does is pee on the floor in a convenient spot, preferring carpets, sofas, and shoes. This can be due to several reasons: the seller was dishonest, or the small animal was confused and unable to find its usual toilet.
But regardless of the reasons for the appearance of puddles in the apartment, the new owner of the dog will have to to train her from scratchThe simplest option is potty training on a pad. This method is often used by dog breeders, who consider it the simplest and most convenient. Using inexpensive disposable pads allows pet owners not only to train their pet to use a designated area but also to avoid purchasing expensive litter.
Content
Features of setting up a toilet for a dog
As professional dog breeders have observed, even a tiny animal chooses a place to relieve itself based on its own preferences and instincts. Most often, a puppy goes to the toilet near the entrance or interior doors. If the dog's owner is lucky, it's quite possible choose the right place for the toilet the first time.
Incidentally, it's a good idea to remove rugs and carpets from the dog's room at first. If the puppy manages to relieve itself on the carpet once, it's sure to enjoy it and will continue to do so on the soft, fluffy surface that effectively absorbs liquid. However, it will be very difficult to discourage the animal from using this favorite spot.
Before you start using dog pads, you need to make sure you have a suitable tray or litter box. Even a cat litter box will do, with the grate removed. This container will prevent excess moisture from spreading across the floor. Once you start using the tray, there is no need to change it to another capacity, as it emits a specific scent that is familiar to the puppy. It's also important that the tray always remains in the same place.
What is the purpose of a pet diaper?
The modern pet product industry is developing at a breakneck pace, making it impossible to keep up with the latest innovations. Absorbent pads for pets are now available at pet stores and veterinary pharmacies. Their main purpose is to facilitate the process of toilet training for puppies.
In recent years, manufacturers have been producing There are 2 main types of diapers:
- disposable diapers that are thrown away after the puppy has done its business;
- reusable diapers that can be washed under hot water.
If your pet stubbornly ignores the pad, don't give up. After all, a young puppy, finding itself in an unfamiliar place among unfamiliar people, may simply become confused or bored. You need to be patient and help the animal overcome its problems.
Peculiarities of potty training a puppy
Once the toilet location has been determined, you need to choose a suitable diaper that can be of different sizesIt's important to assign your pet a specific spot that will never change, allowing them to get used to relieving themselves in peace. It's also important to remove any unnecessary items from the area. Ideally, place the litter box with a pad in the hallway or in a kitchen with tiled floors.
Almost all puppies prefer to relieve themselves on soft surfaces rather than on a hard, cold floor. After frequently trying to pee on a pad, the animal quickly becomes accustomed to it and regularly uses it to relieve itself. It's important to try to eliminate other convenient options for the puppy to use.
There is another way to train a dog to use the toilet. To do this, you need set aside a place for a small pet, where he will rest at night directly next to the future toilet. By placing a box or a mat near the dog's toilet, you can enclose a few square meters with a low fence that the puppy cannot climb over. Ultimately, the fenced area should contain a sleeping mat and a pad for the dog to use for toileting.
When a dog wakes up in the morning, it will want to pee, but it will have two options: relieve itself on a soft pad or on a bare, hard floor. Naturally, it will prefer the more comfortable option. As the puppy grows, the area allocated for it will need to be expanded, and once the pet is accustomed to the toilet, the fence can be removed completely.
Advice from the pros
To significantly simplify the process of training your pet to use a diaper, it is advisable to listen to the recommendations of experienced dog breeders. Place the animal in a fenced area It's best to do this right after it eats. Puppies most often relieve themselves after sleeping or eating.
So, after a tasty meal, place your pet behind the fence and wait for it to relieve itself. Afterward, you can let it out to roam freely around the apartment. Even if the dog is out for a walk, it's important to ensure access to the pad is unobstructed. If a puddle appears on the floor, don't hit it. Wipe the floor with a rag and let the puppy sniff it. Afterward, thoroughly wash the floor with detergent to remove any trace of urine odor.
You need to regularly take your little pet to the place where the diaper is laid. It's a good idea to notice when the puppy behaves strangely. When a dog wants to pee, it starts spinning in one place, whining, or sniffing. At this point, you should immediately take the animal to the pad. It's important to change the pad regularly to keep it clean. Many puppies refuse to use the litter box if it's not clean enough.
Teaching a puppy to use a toilet pad
There's nothing complicated about this training method. If the animal has done something wrong, it should be reprimanded in a stern tone. However, you shouldn't scold the dog if the puddle is discovered after a certain amount of time. In such a situation, the dog simply won't understand what's being asked of it. However, if the animal has relieved itself in the designated area, It is imperative to praise him, or better yet, reward your dog with something tasty. Praise and encouragement always bring positive results.
What problems might you encounter when potty training a puppy?
Very often, trying completely different methods doesn't produce positive results, and the puppy continues to eliminate on the floor. In this situation, it's necessary to replace the puppy's pad with a different material. Sometimes, a dog may enjoy using a regular newspaper or rag. If the owner plans to have the dog eliminate outside, it's important to take it for walks as often as possible, especially after naps or meals. Walk your pet several times a day.
When training a pet to use a pad, everything depends entirely on the owner. To quickly and easily train a puppy to relieve itself in a designated area, the owner will need:
- have motivation to achieve positive results;
- be patient and don’t get upset over little things;
- do not lose your pet's trust.
If a person possesses all of the listed character traits, then a positive result will not be long in coming.
Using modern sprays
Modern technology is constantly evolving, and innovations have touched the zoological field. Today, pet supply stores sell special sprays that help train dogs to use the toilet in designated areas. There are also products that deter dogs from leaving puddles on the floor. This will help keep the baby away from dangerous places – electrical wires, sockets, etc.
If your puppy does mess up the carpet, it's important to immediately thoroughly wash the area with detergent to remove any urine odors. Never use products containing chlorine, as this will further enhance unpleasant odors. A standard mop with a wringer will be helpful, and will be a must-have until your puppy grows up.
A dog is a sweet, kind, and loyal animal that, as it grows, will shower its owner with love and affection. And to bring that moment closer, it's important make some effort and gain patience, which a person very often lacks in life.
Training a puppy to use a pad can take a very long time. But don't give up at the first sign of failure. Only a patient and attentive pet owner can instill all the good habits in their dog. Don't be lazy and give your puppy plenty of attention, and everything will definitely work out.
