Episodes > 107 > Pet Trainer 911

“Do'in What Comes Naturally ”

"Life’s a stage and we're all actors in it". Ever wonder if Shakespeare knew he was talking about a dog's life as well?

“Doin what comes naturally.” That’s what your new puppy is doing when he is jumping, chewing up the furniture, biting the kids and pooping on your new bedspread. He’s not being a “bad-dog”… he doesn’t mean to misbehave he just does it because that’s what he knows to do…and unless we as the owners teach him differently well…you’ll be spending all your money on bedspreads.

I mean think about it. We can’t expect a new puppy just to KNOW not to bite or chew or go outside to go potty…they won’t just learn it by osmosis…it’s up to us to show our puppy what is acceptable behavior.

It’s important that your new puppy goes through “basic training” within the first few days after coming home. This is the most vital time to teach your puppy new behavior. After all they have just been snatched from their Mom and littermates and that was the only life that they knew until now.

Coach Ronald White shows Nichole in our episode that we can’t expect puppies to train themselves, but puppies are very impressionable and learn quickly. This is good news and bad news. If they learn that they can get away with whatever they want then they will…wouldn’t you? But if they are taught what’s acceptable and what isn’t acceptable early on then chances are you will have a great companion dog when it grows up.

So before we get mad at the puppy or just can’t understand why they won’t stop chewing and biting and ruining the linens we need to make sure that we have done out part.

HERE’S THE POOP

One of the biggest challenges with training your new puppy is of course “potty training!” Here are a few tips on how to make the process easier…

1. Establish the puppies living area. Let them know that this is their personal space. Give them a special bed and spend a lot of time with them here. They will eventually get it that this is their part of the house and hey, I’m not pooping on “my” bedspread.
2. Establish the puppy’s toilet area. Determine a place in your yard or home that is designated as an approved place where the dog can go potty. Then make sure he knows where that place is and has access to it often.
3. House Rules for Humans.  Don’t forget the things you need to do to help your little addition out…The first person up in the morning, takes them out.  Take them to the same place every morning. If they do their business in the correct place, let them know they did a good job.  Stop giving them water a few hours before bedtime.
4. Timing is Everything. Would it help you to know how often your pup needs to go to the potty? Well here’s a good schedule to go by…
   
   
• 2 months old…Every 2 hours
• 3 months old…Every 4 hours
• 4 months old…Every 5 hours
• 5 months old…Every 6 hours
• 6 months old…Every 7 hours.