Toilet Training your Cockapoo
The key to successful toilet training is supervision, consistency and repetition.
You may get disheartened at times as it can sometimes be one step forward and two back , but persevere and with consistent training you will get there. Do not expect a puppy to learn over night and they will all learn at different rates, so expect "accidents" to happen, whilst they are learning and developing.
Puppies will need frequent toilet breaks as they are not able to hold themselves for any length of time until their sphincter muscles are mature at around approx 6- 7 months old. This will probably include a night time toilet break, as while they can hold themselves longer when asleep, young puppies often need a break , and you may hear them whimpering in the night to let you know. As puppies grow and develop they begin to be able to hold themselves for longer intervals.
Puppies generally if healthy will not like to toilet in areas where they sleep or eat and drink and crate training can be useful whilst toilet training. Puppies can be put in their crate when they have been to toilet and you are unable to supervise them, or if puppy needs a rest, and with training they will learn to hold themselves for a few hours in the crate. Make sure you take them out for a toilet break as soon as you let them out of crate.
Some people use puppy pads, which is a personal preference, but this can make training longer when you want to start removing them as have to re- teach and can sometimes confuse them.
The Routine:
So ideally start your routine by taking them out 1/2 an hour to hourly to the garden or area you wish them to toilet in. Toilet breaks should be factored in after eating or drinking, waking up, and after a play session, before bedtime, but regular intervals are the key to successful training.
Don't play with them during this time, or interrupt them, as this is not playtime but toilet time.
Never let puppy into the garden to toilet without you and never leave the door open for him to come and go as they please until toilet training has been established.
Use a special word to indicate you want them to go so say something like "Go toilet" and when puppy does heap lots of praise and give some treats. You can gradually decrease treats but still praise when pup gets more trained.
He will soon learn that word is his cue to go. Then after toilet he can have playtime, so that way he can distinguish between the two.
You puppy will soon learn what he has to do as this routine is repeated, and he will understand going toilet means a reward.
During times when you may not be able to supervise, make sure they are in an area where you don't mind "accidents" happening. Or in a crate or playpen.
Some people use "Poochie bells" to help with training , these are bells on a length of ribbon that are laced next to door and you train your pupy to ring them when they need to go to toilet.
If your puppy does have an accident it is important that your do not reprimand him, but instead clear the "accident" up quickly. Ideally use a biological powder one part powder to four parts water as this will neutralise the area, and prevent puppy from reusing the same spot. Or you can buy commercial products from pet stores.
Telling a puppy off will only create anxiety and this is not what you need, so clear up the accident without any fuss and continue on with your supervision and training.
So what are the signs to look out for that puppy needs to go?
The common signs which suggest the puppy needs to go toilet are the puppy may start circling or sniffing the ground, getting agitated, whimpering and for those who are into their routines, may go to the door. Though some may not show signs and just squat and go, so watch closely for the signs they can happen quickly and you will soon get to know which
If you see these signs ensure you get puppy swiftly out to their toilet area, ensuring praise and reward when they go.
You may get disheartened at times as it can sometimes be one step forward and two back , but persevere and with consistent training you will get there. Do not expect a puppy to learn over night and they will all learn at different rates, so expect "accidents" to happen, whilst they are learning and developing.
Puppies will need frequent toilet breaks as they are not able to hold themselves for any length of time until their sphincter muscles are mature at around approx 6- 7 months old. This will probably include a night time toilet break, as while they can hold themselves longer when asleep, young puppies often need a break , and you may hear them whimpering in the night to let you know. As puppies grow and develop they begin to be able to hold themselves for longer intervals.
Puppies generally if healthy will not like to toilet in areas where they sleep or eat and drink and crate training can be useful whilst toilet training. Puppies can be put in their crate when they have been to toilet and you are unable to supervise them, or if puppy needs a rest, and with training they will learn to hold themselves for a few hours in the crate. Make sure you take them out for a toilet break as soon as you let them out of crate.
Some people use puppy pads, which is a personal preference, but this can make training longer when you want to start removing them as have to re- teach and can sometimes confuse them.
The Routine:
So ideally start your routine by taking them out 1/2 an hour to hourly to the garden or area you wish them to toilet in. Toilet breaks should be factored in after eating or drinking, waking up, and after a play session, before bedtime, but regular intervals are the key to successful training.
Don't play with them during this time, or interrupt them, as this is not playtime but toilet time.
Never let puppy into the garden to toilet without you and never leave the door open for him to come and go as they please until toilet training has been established.
Use a special word to indicate you want them to go so say something like "Go toilet" and when puppy does heap lots of praise and give some treats. You can gradually decrease treats but still praise when pup gets more trained.
He will soon learn that word is his cue to go. Then after toilet he can have playtime, so that way he can distinguish between the two.
You puppy will soon learn what he has to do as this routine is repeated, and he will understand going toilet means a reward.
During times when you may not be able to supervise, make sure they are in an area where you don't mind "accidents" happening. Or in a crate or playpen.
Some people use "Poochie bells" to help with training , these are bells on a length of ribbon that are laced next to door and you train your pupy to ring them when they need to go to toilet.
If your puppy does have an accident it is important that your do not reprimand him, but instead clear the "accident" up quickly. Ideally use a biological powder one part powder to four parts water as this will neutralise the area, and prevent puppy from reusing the same spot. Or you can buy commercial products from pet stores.
Telling a puppy off will only create anxiety and this is not what you need, so clear up the accident without any fuss and continue on with your supervision and training.
So what are the signs to look out for that puppy needs to go?
The common signs which suggest the puppy needs to go toilet are the puppy may start circling or sniffing the ground, getting agitated, whimpering and for those who are into their routines, may go to the door. Though some may not show signs and just squat and go, so watch closely for the signs they can happen quickly and you will soon get to know which
If you see these signs ensure you get puppy swiftly out to their toilet area, ensuring praise and reward when they go.
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