BUFFALO VETERINARIANS

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BUFFALO COMPANION ANIMAL CLINIC

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HOUSETRAINING:

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Keep your puppy in sight at all times (unless they are kenneled).

Take your puppy out frequently, begin with hourly visits outside, then slowly increase the interval between outside ventures.

When you cannot closely supervise your puppy, keep them in a crate or kennel.

Puppies may let you know they have to go by circling and sniffing the ground. Get them outside quickly if you notice these behaviors! Not all dogs know how to signal this right away so DON’T rely on cues from them as to when its time to go outside.

Puppies like to eliminate after. . .

• Eating/drinking

• Confinement

• Playing/activity

• Resting or sleeping

Take your pup out after any of the above.

Kenneling:

Confining your pup to a kennel or crate may seem mean, but it is a fast, effective way to housetrain. Here are some tips:

• Have your pup associate the kennel with

good things

• Feed your pup in their kennel

• Place their favorite toy &/or soft bedding in

their kennel

• Give your pup a treat once they go in the kennel

For housetraining purposes, make sure the kennel is only big enough for your pup to easily turn around and lay down. If the kennel is any bigger, the pup will be able to eliminate in one corner and have enough room to stay away from its waste, thus defeating its purpose for training.

Make sure to kennel your pet when they cannot be adequately supervised.

Do not allow your pet to be kenneled for long periods of time, the length of time varies by age and from pet to pet.

Taking your pet outside:

Follow these simple steps everytime you take your pet outside:

• Take your pet to the same area of the yard.

• Initially, only give your pup a few minutes outside,

if they don’t eliminate, take them back in. In the

early stages of training, you want outside to be a

place for your pet to eliminate, not a place to play, etc.

• Once your pet eliminates, give them a pat, verbal

praise and a treat reward.

• Reward your pup with praise every time but as the

process progresses, a food reward may not always

be needed.

If an accident occurs:

• Don’t scold your pet, especially if you didn’t catch

them “in the act”.

• Clean up the mess well.

• Deodorize the area.

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