Once the first hours of exploration are over, routine must start, with priority given to house training. This may not be the most important part of training in a dog's life, but it is vital to get the message across in a positive fashion from the very beginning. A puppy can be expected to empty its bladder as soon as it wakes from sleep, and as soon as it has been fed; it may also pass feces simultaneously. If these happenings can be anticipated and the puppy put out into the garden - or on to a piece of newspaper if no garden is available - mistakes will be infrequent, and the puppy will learn what is wanted. Watch out for warning signs usually characterized by rapid wanderings and circling; there is only a short interval between indication and performance.
The owner must respond at once, take the puppy outside and stay with it until it has performed. This is the time to introduce the first command, which may be 'outside', 'be clean', 'go on', or 'be a good boy/girl'. Every time the puppy does what is required, be lavish with praise. Eventually the puppy will associate outside performance with praise, and the phrase with performance. House training a puppy takes patience and perseverance, especially if the puppy is acquired during wintry weather, but the longer it is delayed, the more difficult it becomes. As the puppy grows, the intervals between indication and performance become longer, and the adult dog can go for several hours during the day, and for most of the night, without elimination.
Normally, a puppy can control itself reliably by the age off our to six months,and by eight months it will last throughout the night provided that it is put outside last thing at night and first thing in the morning.
The owner must respond at once, take the puppy outside and stay with it until it has performed. This is the time to introduce the first command, which may be 'outside', 'be clean', 'go on', or 'be a good boy/girl'. Every time the puppy does what is required, be lavish with praise. Eventually the puppy will associate outside performance with praise, and the phrase with performance. House training a puppy takes patience and perseverance, especially if the puppy is acquired during wintry weather, but the longer it is delayed, the more difficult it becomes. As the puppy grows, the intervals between indication and performance become longer, and the adult dog can go for several hours during the day, and for most of the night, without elimination.
Normally, a puppy can control itself reliably by the age off our to six months,and by eight months it will last throughout the night provided that it is put outside last thing at night and first thing in the morning.
