Small Dogs, Big Potty Training Problems

The first mistake that little dog owners typically make is that they use potty pads. You have to make potty training, black or white. You can either potty in the house or you can’t.

Get a kennel that is just big enough for them to stand up turn around and lie down. Yes they do make kennels that small. You are going to give your puppy a lot of kennel time initially. They earn freedom by going potty in appropriate places.

Feed your puppy in their kennel because they don’t want to soil where they eat. During the day, keep the kennel by your back door or close to it. During the night, keep it by your bed. This way, if your puppy wines, you can hear them and take them out. I recommend getting a slip lead so that you can quickly put a leash on them and take them right outside. Take your puppy to the spot where they like to go and say “go potty” calmly. As they are going potty, I like to say it again. When your puppy goes potty outside, mark it with a "yes," and reward or if your puppy prefers play, start a game. Either way, have a party.

Keep your puppy on a leash outside, but you can spend as much time outside as you want. Inside, as long as they have just gone potty outside, you can give them some freedom on a leash with you. If they get fidgety or start sniffing and circling, take them outside immediately to go potty. I typically do every half hour to every hour when they are out of their crates when they are puppies, depending on their age. Be sure to give them nap times in their crates for a couple of hours during the day. Just like babies, puppies need a lot of sleep.

The more consistent you are, and the more you watch your puppy, the faster they will learn. You can use baby gates to confine them to a small smaller space. Then make sure if they do have an accident, you use an enzymatic cleaner to clean it. If you catch them having an accident, I just try to startle them with a loud noise and then pick up the puppy and take them right outside. If you didn’t see it happen it’s your fault for not watching your puppy for their cues. They aren’t going to say “I need to go potty”. They communicate with body language. Do not punish your puppy for going potty in the house. Again, that's your fault.

Small dogs can learn they just need structure, rules, and boundaries just like big dogs do. Don’t baby them just because they’re tiny. I use freedom as a reward for acting appropriately in the house. If they potty somewhere or chew something they’re not supposed to, they’re not ready for that freedom yet.

As a general rule, I have my puppies sleeping in their crates when you are gone and at night until they are at least two years old (Some dogs may need longer.) At two, you can start to gradually give freedom - start by letting the dog sleep in your bedroom with the door shut. If you have done your job correctly, they know being outside of the crate is calm time. Then you can try leaving your dog alone in the house at about 2 1/2 - 3 years old. Every dog is different. Some dogs can handle more freedom at one year. Just make sure they are ready for it before you start to give it. Remember, it’s a lot easier to teach as you go versus letting a bad habit develop and trying to change it.

Be sure to follow me on my social media for more training, tips, and advice!

I’m always happy to answer questions. Happy Training!

#puppytrainingtips #smalldog #dogtrainingadvice #fyp #montanadogs