From cuddling on the couch to playing in the park, there are many exciting moments of being a proud puppy parent. While it’s fun to watch your new pet grow up, there are some less exciting responsibilities associated with the process—especially when it comes to teaching your dog proper bathroom behavior. If you’ve adopted a puppy and want to keep bathroom messes to a minimum, here are a few pet care tips that can help simplify housetraining.

5 Pet Care Strategies for Puppy Potty Training  

1. Don’t Wait

Twelve weeks of age is usually an acceptable time to begin the housetraining process, as this is typically when dogs gain better control over their bladder and bowel functions. The longer you wait after this mark, the harder it will be to train your new pet.

2. Feed at the Same Times Every Day

The times your dog goes to the bathroom are loosely synced to the times they eat. By eating meals at the same times every day, your puppy will be more regular with their elimination needs. For proper pet care, give your dog about 30 minutes to eat. If they lose interest, you should remove the food to help them adjust to the routine.

3. Take Scheduled Bathroom Breaks

Puppies need to go to the bathroom more often than adult dogs, so you’ll need to give them ample opportunity to take care of business. Apart from taking your pet out in the morning, afternoon, and night, take a trip quick outdoors about 15 minutes after they finish bathroom-inducing activities—such as eating, playing, or sleeping.

4. Prioritize Praise

Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement when training. As such, you should encourage your pet to “go potty” during scheduled breaks and offer praise or a reward when the task is complete. Over time, your dog will associate this activity with something good.

5. Approach Accidents Calmly

Even if you use extreme caution, you’re bound to experience a few accidents in the house. Since yelling at your dog for these incidents may only scare them—and trigger regressive behaviors—it’s better to react calmly. If you catch your pet in the act, gently remove them from the scene and place them in the proper bathroom area. Next, remove the spot using an enzyme-destroying cleaner, as this will help remove your dog’s “mark” from the area.

If you’ve recently adopted a puppy, Animal Care Center of Fairfield can help you set your new pet up for a happy and healthy life. Providing comprehensive veterinary services in Fairfield County, OH, for more than 30 years, this animal hospital offers pet vaccines, surgical procedures, dental care, and wellness exams to prevent and address major health problems. Visit this clinic online to learn more about their pet care capabilities, as well as their veterinary internship opportunities. Call (513) 829-6621 to schedule an appointment.