TRANSITIONING TO POTTYING OUTSIDE

As the puppies start to look less like furry potatoes and more like small versions of their future selves, the breeder expands their living area and starts taking them on "field trips" into other parts of the house to play and explore and into the yard for socialization outings.  Great breeders set up the puppy pen near a door that leads to a safe outdoor area and start hustling them out as soon as they began to stir from a nap and right after eating.  "Puppy! Puppy! Puppy!" is a "follow-me" cue that your puppy may already know. 

 

If your puppy's first human parent was an amazing puppy raiser, your new puppy has probably already imprinted on the scent of grass, dirt and bark.  *They are looking for a familiar surface texture and scent.   If they have only gone on litter box pellets, you can take some used pellets from your tray and sprinkle a bunch in a spot in the yard where you will take your puppy when you go outside.  "Sniff-sniff-sniff ... Oh, look!  A toilet!"  This is one of the easiest ways to teach your litter box trained pup to "go" in a specific part of the yard.  The pellets will break down over time, but their scent will linger in the soil.  If your puppy has never gone anywhere but his litter box, he's looking for a litter box!  Put the whole box outside.  When you see him investigating where the box used to be in his pen, you can cheer "Let's go outside!" and take him to it.  Be alert!  He may start indicating the door on his own trying to figure out how to get to his box.  Hooray!  Once he's running to the familiar box in its new location, you can gradually minimize the visual of the box until it's just a few pellets on the ground.  How long does house training take?  As long as it takes.  Less time if you are an undistracted and diligent coach!

 

* What if they have imprinted on potty pads, newspaper, straw or, heaven forbid, carpet?  As above, take a potty pad or a piece of whatever surface they associate with toileting and put it in the yard where you'd like them to potty.  You'll have to weight it down so the wind (or the puppy!) doesn't spread it around the yard!

Be always ready and watchful every second your puppy is awake.  

Keep a journal.  When does he wake up?  When does he nap?  How long after he eats does he usually need to poop or pee?  Wake up before your puppy, throw on your shoes and jacket and be ready to celebrate that trip to the yard the instant you open the pen or crate door.  If it's a fair distance to the door or there are stairs, you'll probably need to gently scoop and carry your pup out at first in order to get to the yard in time. 

IMPORTANT!  Lifting your puppy should never be scary and should ALWAYS be enjoyable.  Don't chase and grab.  See article: "How to Properly Pick up Your Dog."  The trip from inside to outside MUST be the happiest part of the day.  If not, the puppy will learn to avoid you and hide when they need to pee, to avoid being swooped into the air or chased by a scolding grouch. 

 

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"Let's go!"  TOGETHER!
As they learn how to do stairs and can make the fun trip to the door and into the yard under their own steam, lead the way.  Remember, puppies don't herd like cows- they follow like baby ducks. Engage your pup in a happy high-pitched voice and MOVE, encouraging them to chase you to the door and out into the yard.  Stay out with them!  The sounds of the world can be scary to a young pup.  They need your support.  Being alone in a new place is scary.  You need to be there to explain noises that might startle them.  You need to be there to praise and reward them for pottying outside.  How else will they know that is what you want?

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"Outside" means run to the door and "Hurry! Go potty!" will be your 'relieve yourself' cue.

One phrase happens on the way "Outside" and the other as he squats and begins to "Go Potty!"   You are pairing the words with the events.  They aren't cues yet.  You are just inserting names for what is happening.  The puppy is smelling the dirt and grass and bark and remnants of his previous pellet toilet. Imprinting on scent and becoming comfortable in the yard is the first step in successful house training.

 

What's your puppy's signal TO YOU when they need to go outside?

He doesn't know you are trainable!  It's your job to show him what works to get your attention.

Article: Communication Buttons and bells!
 

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Confine when you can't supervise, but don't over-do it! 
Transitioning to more free time in the house, outside the pen or crate should start early.  He needs to follow you from room-to-room and learn your daily routines.  He will notice that the pacifier chewy comes out of your desk drawer when you sit down at your desk and that pieces of carrots that you are chopping might be tossed on that nearby kitchen rug if he hangs out there.  These patterns will help shape him into an easy-to-live with future adult dog. 

 

He wants to be with you, lying at your feet as you work, being part of your day.  The conversations you have with your pup and your minute-to-minute guidance will help them learn the rules of the house: "Let's not get inside the dishwasher."  And how to feel about things: "Yay! It's the mail man! Let's go see what he brought us!"  You are building a healthy bond and secure attachment.  Puppies can develop separation anxiety by becoming stressed when separated at a young age.  Time in their pen should be a treat - that place where they get a special food puzzle toy.  Not a place where they are locked away for being "bad" - see "Intelligent Diversions & Creative Play".  

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