Teach Your Dog Tricks

I’ve owned several dogs throughout my life, and I know of the great joy and affection that man’s best friend can bring. I am also aware of the not-so-pleasant aspects of having a young dog, such as those occasions he does not quite make it outside before he does his business.

Sometimes, it is simply a matter of people forgetting to let the dog out, and it really could not be avoided. Other times, it is because the dog is young and doesn’t know any better. I have observed many methods that different people have used, but there is one way of how to potty train a puppy that I have found works better than any other.

When I was a boy, my dad always told me that the best way to train a dog to go outside was by swatting him on the nose with a newspaper every time that he went inside and putting him out into the backyard. I guess that was the whole negative reinforcement theory of potty training.

The only problem with that method of how to potty train a puppy was that I could never bring myself to swat him on the nose. I did once, and he whimpered, and I felt absolutely terrible. I immediately pulled him into my arms and started petting him and hugging him, and he began to lick me and wag his tail. I felt like an absolute jerk.

I had another friend who told me that when she was trying to figure out how to potty train a puppy, she stumbled upon a way that worked and required no discipline. She said she basically made sure that her dog went out at the same time, three times a day. She said the dog would get used to going outside and would do its business out there.

That is definitely a great idea, but the problem there is that life gets in the way. She was a stay-at-home mom and could make sure that her dog was out at the exact same time every day. I did not have that ability, so my dog was still making messes in the house.

Finally, I was reading about a man who said he had found the best way to potty train a puppy, and it was pretty simple. He said to put down newspaper for the dog to go on, and then each day, gradually move that paper closer to the back door. Eventually, the dog will go all the way to the back door and then you can just let him out.

I tried that method, and within a week, my dog was going outside, and there were no more messes to clean up in the house.

In trying to determine how to potty train a puppy, I have found that a little patience and a lot of newspaper works best. It may take a few days, but there is no discipline involved, and you do not have to worry about following a rigid schedule.