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| Sunday, 29 January 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Toilet-training your puppies Any pet lover would agree that puppies are adorable creatures. But the truth is, they are also a lot of work. In many ways, a new puppy is like a new baby. They require an unbelievable amount of attention.
Housebreaking (toilet-training) your puppy plays an important role when it comes to training. You can start housebreaking lessons as soon as you bring the puppy home. Take it outside to relieve itself - and don't forget to praise the puppy when it does. Paper training will work well with small dogs, but this is an extra step that is better to forego, for larger breeds. Always remember, a puppy that has been paper trained will have to be re-trained to relieve itself outdoors. The best way to housebreak your puppy is to simply keep an eye on it. When it becomes restless, take it outdoors and praise it when it relieves itself. A good practice is to always go to the same place, so the puppy associates that particular spot with relieving itself. Try to use a simple command, which reinforces the idea. You can't watch your puppy all the time, and accidents are bound to happen. When they do, the puppy should be scolded and taken outside to the proper spot. Then praise it for being in the right place. Remember, praise works faster than punishment. If you take your puppy outside after every meal, first thing in the morning and last thing at night, it will be housebroken fairly soon. As with any kind of training, consistency is the key - establish a schedule and scold your puppy when it doesn't act accordingly. Keep in mind, too, that an important part of housebreaking depends on the owner. It's up to you to recognise the warning signs of a puppy about to relieve itself. Watch for sniffing the ground or circling the room. |
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