Did you know that there are more than 900 million dogs around the world? On top of that, more than 90 million of those dogs live in the United States. Plus, more than 95% of people who own dogs say that they consider them to be members of the family.
As much as we love our pets, some of us also struggle to potty train them. Have you ever said something like, "My dog is 6 months old and not potty trained?" This happens more often than you might realize.
Although it comes with its own challenges, plenty of people have been in this situation and figured out how to manage it. We can learn from their experiences and wisdom to help manage puppies that take a little longer to finish potty training. So what can you do if you have a puppy that is already 6 months old and has not yet mastered this skill?
Read on to learn all about the top things you can do to help your 6-month-old puppy get the hang of potty training!
Be Patient When House Training a Puppy
One of the most vital things to keep in mind when you are potty training a puppy is the value of patience. If you are not careful, your impatience might make potty training your puppy take even longer. On top of that, lashing out in frustration can damage your relationship with your puppy.
Even when dealing with tough situations like dog potty training regression, patience and attentiveness is generally the right strategy. As long as you are paying close attention and noticing what is happening with your puppy, you will tend to find the right path toward successful potty training sooner or later.
Create Consistent Puppy Feeding Times
One of the best ways to help your puppy master potty training is to feed them at the same times every day. This will help their body establish natural biological rhythms. As they get used to eating at the same time every day, they will also start to need to relieve themselves that similar times each day.
When it comes to potty training puppies, often all you need is a little bit of success that you can build on. Using a consistent feeding schedule helps maximize the chance that you will get your puppy to relieve themselves outside at your intended time. Then, you can reward them and maintain your schedule to help them solidify this vital habit.
Decide on Your Puppy Potty Training Schedule
Along with feeding your puppy at the same time each day, it is also important to take them outside to relieve themselves each day at around the same time.
Along with using the same time of day, it can also help to use other cues to help your puppy begin to recognize this time. For example, you might have two leashes of different colors. You might use one for walks and the other for potty training.
You can even try things like putting on a certain song or making certain sounds right before it is time for your puppy to relieve itself. You might be able to come up with other signals that might be better for your situation. The important thing is to understand that your puppy may not notice your potty training patterns at first.
You can make those patterns easier to pick up on by adding to them with any memorable signal.
Some people also delay potty training because they wonder, "When can puppies go outside?" As a general rule, it is fine to start taking your puppy outside at around 7 weeks old.
Consider Using Potty Training Pads
Sometimes, the right products can go a long way toward making potty training easier for your puppy. Puppy potty training pads are designed to use scents to signal to dogs that it is a good time for them to relieve themselves. This can be a powerful way to jumpstart your puppy's potty training success.
You can even use these pads indoors at first. That can be helpful if your puppy seems to have trouble relieving themselves outside. Once your puppy gets used to using these pads inside, there is a good chance that they will feel more comfortable using them outside as well.
Give Your Puppy Rewards for Successes
As a general rule, your puppy will find it much easier to make new habits if they receive rewards for small successes. When your puppy makes progress in its potty training journey, consider giving it a significant reward. In fact, the more significant the reward, the easier it will be for your puppy to remember.
That also increases the chance that it will repeat the positive behavior that you are hoping to encourage.
Clean up Accidents as Soon as Possible
Puppies often rely on their sense of smell to decide where they should relieve themselves. Make sure to clean up any accidents as soon as possible so that old smells do not confuse your puppy.
Follow the Tops Tips for Training Your Puppy
If you've ever said something like, "My dog is 6 months old and not potty trained, what do I do?", we hope that you now have your answer. Although most puppies finish potty training sooner, there is a lot you can do with a puppy that is still learning at 6 months old. However, you can often make the potty training journey easier by finding the right tools.
To learn more about how you can find the best pet products for your needs, reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!
