How to House Train a Puppy – 3 Top Tips

2022-06-26 07:23:09 By : Ms. Darlee Zou

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Creating a consistent routine will help your dog master house training

House training your new puppy is about patience, positive reinforcement, forming good habits and consistency. Many puppies aren't house trained when you first bring them home, so there is lots to teach them.

"Puppies are exploring their new world, which is fun, exciting, and full of incredible smells, flavours and textures so they want to try everything," an expert from the PDSA tells Country Living.

"It's important to understand that nothing is sacred to a puppy and they could show interest in furniture, clothes, shoes, toys, even ornaments. Puppies don't understand what is good or bad for them, or what they should or shouldn't chew."

Keep reading for everything you need to know about house training a puppy...

Puppies can get into all sorts of things, from rubber bands to cleaning supplies, so it's important you dog-proof your home to remove temptation. Place all of their toys into a personalised storage box so they know where to find toys, blankets and chew bones.

"Take everything up a level out of reach of your puppy, like you would with a crawling baby, and consider baby gates to keep them out of certain rooms where hazards may lie," the PSDA say.

"This way your precious pup won't get themselves into trouble for chewing the wrong thing. Provide plenty of pet safe toys, and direct them to what you want them to play with and chew."

Praise and reward will motivate your puppy so they continue to repeat their good behaviour. Whether it's their favourite treat or a game in the park, training with positive reinforcement teaches your dog that good things happen when they make a good choice.

"Training is really important for you and your puppy's long term happiness together," the PDSA say. "The key to training puppies is to reward them when they do something correct and to brush over mistakes, which helps them understand how you would like them to behave."

Dogs might not be able to make sense of a full sentence, but they will soon learn what words such as 'sit', 'walk', and 'dinner' mean. When it comes to house training your furry friend, the PDSA explain the important of the word 'no'.

"You don't need to shout or scare them but a firm 'no' can make them sit up, listen and pause whatever they're doing that could be dangerous for them. Teaching them the command 'drop', rewarding them when they give up the item can be very helpful now and in the long term as even older dogs can try to eat things they shouldn't. Training classes can be really helpful for bonding and learning to work together."

If you are still struggling to train your puppy, training classes can be really helpful for bonding and learning to work together.

This tyre-shaped chew toy has been made from durable rubber, so it's perfect for determined chewers. It also gives owners the chance to fill the inside with tasty treats, too. Available in two sizes for you to choose the best for your breed.

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Made from durable nylon, this long-lasting chew toy challenges the most aggressive chewers. Your pup is certain to love the tasty flavour, too.

Built for durability, this bright red dog toy will offer your four-legged friend mental and physical stimulation. And at just £8.50, it's a real steal buy.

Soft yet durable, this cute grey bear has minimal stuffing and an internal knotted rope skeleton.

A great option for larger breeds, this tough yet elastic dog toy is ideal for particularly aggressive chewers. The dual handles also mean that you can use it to play with your dog too.

One of the toughest dog balls on the market, this sweet 'planet' design has been made with award-winning Orbee Tuff material. Certain to provide hours of fun...

Does your pup love to play fetch? Well, this dog toy is one of the most durable styles around — and will aim to stand the test of time, no matter how much it is used.

Ideal for dogs who love to swim, this floating fabric toy has a handle and is designed with abrasion-resistant materials for increased durability. Make sure not to forget it on your next beach trip.

Made from hemp and recycled cotton, this rope ring's tough fibres work to clean your pup's teeth while also being a whole lot of fun to play with.

With a tough rope core this hairy cow is a lot tougher than it looks but it will feel nice and soft in your dog's mouth. It also comes with a squeaker built in to add to the playing experience.

Want to treat your pup to a long-lasting toy? This floating ball has been constructed from thermo plastic rubber and is also infused with vanilla extract.

This is no ordinary ball: made with aggressive chewers in mind, it's perfect for pups who need something firm to hold onto. It is 100% non-toxic, has a fun squeak sound and is infused with a natural mint oil.

This durable rubber mango toy — which can be filled with dog treats — is sure to provide hours of chewing fun. Perfect for small and medium dog breeds.

Keep your dog entertained for hours with this colourful chew toy on a durable rope. The makers explain: "Ruffer and Tuffer is specially designed to be stronger than the average, with a unique construction that delivers added durability with superior strength."

Perfect for aggressive chewers, this bright green bone toy helps to help clean teeth and control plaque, while providing endless hours of fun.

READ MORE: 8 dog breeds that make the best swimmers

Thanks to the built-in rope, owners can throw this ball further for their pups to chase. It is used by the K-9 police as well as the Military Working Dog Teams, so it's both tough and durable. Brilliant if you want to train and motivate your dog.

Give your pup a reason to have some fun with this adorable duck toy. Hardwearing and well-crafted, it has a hidden squeaker to keep your pet entertained.

Perfect for fetch and interaction with your dog, this ball has been made with extra-tough rubber to stand the test of time. Thanks to its soft and unique surface, the ball will also keep your dog's gums healthy.

Let the fun commence with this long-lasting squeaker football dog toy. Perfect for keeping your dog entertained in the garden.

This strong wheel dog toy is perfect for aggressive pulling and tugging. The specially developed soft rubber design helps to clean their teeth and massage their gums, while its engaging shape will provide hours of fun.

This durable wooden stick is great for dogs who love to chew regularly. While keeping your dog occupied for hours, it's also great for their dental hygiene.

Built to last, this fun donut dog toy has been made from high-quality material will not wear down dogs' teeth.

This bright orange fetch toy is ideal for interactive fun. It has a squeaker and practical handle for throwing at your pup. We're certain they'll love this!

READ MORE: 12 things all dog owners should do in lockdown

This chew toy encourages healthy, non-destructive chewing habits with dogs.

With a mixture of strong ropes and a soft middle section, this is a great option for dogs who love to play.

Great for young puppies, this gentle bone will help teething pups who have not yet formed any adult teeth.

This durable pineapple toy has been built to last, helping to solve destructive chewing, teething, dental health, boredom, separation anxiety, training, and exercise.

We love this unique toy, which is great for chew sessions and endless fun. Top tip: fill with peanut butter to extend playtime and satisfy chewing instincts.

In a blush pink, this large onion toy is surprisingly durable. Best of all, it's just over £3.

This durable Bark Bone is infused with real bacon and is perfect for even the toughest chewers. Its non-toxic and non-allergenic materials mean its safe for your pup to enjoy.

Looking for a durable rubber frisbee? Well, look no further, as this red style from KONG is perfect for keeping your four-legged friends fit and healthy.

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