Potty training a Sheltie puppy can be an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be. By learning the basics and understanding your pup’s needs, you can make potty training easy and successful.
The key to successful potty training is consistency and patience. Starting with a consistent potty-training schedule, setting up clear rules for your puppy, and rewarding proper behavior will help them quickly understand what’s expected. This routine helps reinforce positive behaviors and gives your puppy structure so they know what to do when it’s time to go outside.
Another important factor in potty training shelties is understanding their energy needs. Shelties are usually very active pups, so make sure they get enough exercise during the day which can help reduce their need for frequent bathroom breaks.
In this article, we will discuss how to successfully potty train a Sheltie puppy by setting up a routine, understanding their energy needs, and providing positive reinforcement when they do something right.
Introduction to Potty Training
Potty training a Sheltie puppy isn’t just about teaching your pup good bathroom habits; it’s also about teaching your pet self-control, patience and consistency. With the right approach and plenty of time, you’ll have a potty-trained pup in no time.
First things first, it helps to have a plan. Start by placing potty chairs in the bathroom or wherever the child is spending most of their time, so they can easily access them. Toilet training should be done gradually and with positive reinforcement—when they do something right, give them a verbal reward or even a treat.
Supervision is key when potty training a dog. When you see the signs that your puppy needs to go (e.g., sniffing around or barking), take them to the designated area and praise them when they do their business there. Be consistent with both rewards and punishments to help your puppy understand what is expected from them.
Establish a Consistent Pottying Routine
Establishing a consistent pottying routine is key when potty training your new Sheltie puppy—doing so will help you both understand how often he needs to go outside.
The “month-plus-one rule” is a good way to determine how long your puppy can hold his bladder, based on his age—so if he’s six months old, he should be able to hold it for seven hours. When your Sheltie is awake throughout the day, take him out every 45 minutes to an hour so he can do his business and get into the routine of where and when to go potty.
Additionally, it’s important to take him out 5–30 minutes after meals; this is when most puppies need to go the most. By sticking with this schedule and providing ample opportunities for him to potty outdoors, you can help accelerate the learning process and make life easier for both of you.
Positive Reinforcement for Success
Positive reinforcement is an essential component for success when it comes to potty training your Sheltie puppy. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding desired behavior with something pleasant, such as verbal praise or a treat, which leads to the puppy associating the desired behavior with a reward.
This type of positive discipline focuses on the positive, creating an environment where the puppy learns that desired behaviors are to be repeated in order to receive the reward. This increases the probability of desired behavior and helps create a foundation for future lessons.
When rewards are consistently given for correct behavior, it serves as an incentive and helps your Sheltie puppy learn what you expect from them faster and more efficiently. The rewards also serve as motivation – motivated puppies learn faster.
Tips for Potty Accidents
Accidents happen – it’s part of the potty training process. To best ensure success, do not punish your puppy when they have an accident. Instead, simply take them to the same spot you would have taken them for potty training, and clean up the accident. This will help your puppy learn faster and more effectively that this is not where they are to go, and will make the training process smoother overall.
You could also try taking your pup outside to a designated area each time and saying “go potty” as soon as you reach it – this vocal cue can help trigger their instinct to go in that area. If your pup does their business when you take them out on a regular basis (at least every 2-3 hours) at a consistent location, they should be able to recognize the spot as the designated area for pottying soon enough.
How to Troubleshoot Potty Training Challenges
Potty training can be a difficult and time consuming process. When your Sheltie puppy is not responding to your training methods, it is important to try to think like your pup and figure out what may be causing the issue.
Direct Confrontations
When trying to potty train, avoid punishing or scolding your pet for mistakes. This might only lead to further confusion and emotional issues for the pup. Instead, use positive reinforcement when they complete tasks correctly; this will help them stay on track with their new schedule.
Emotional Issues
If you notice that your pup is getting stressed or frustrated during the training process, take a break and come back later when they’re calmer. For example, you can give them treats when they complete a task correctly to encourage them and reward their progress.
Too Young?
Another factor that could affect potty training success is age; puppies that are under 18 months old may not have enough control over their bladder or emotional state yet to properly potty train. If your Sheltie fits into this category, it might be best to wait until they are older before attempting potty training again.
Doggy Rewards for a Job Well Done
When it comes to training your Sheltie puppy, rewards are key. Depending on your pup’s individual preferences, you can use a combination of verbal praise and physical touch to reward them for a job well done. Additionally, low value treats are preferred for this kind of positive reinforcement training since these are less likely to distract from your instructions.
The trick is to give rewards at the exact second your pup completes the desired task. This helps to reinforce the connection between their behavior and the reward they receive — it also helps keep their focus when they’re being trained.
Here are some tips for doggy rewards:
- Choose treats that are small enough that your pup can eat them quickly and get back to the task at hand.
- Ensure that the treats you use suit your pup’s dietary needs and restrictions.
- Provide variety in rewards – alternate between food rewards, verbal praise, and physical touch.
- Make sure you reward consistently as soon as your pup succeeds in completing a task properly – this ensures better results in the long run.
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Conclusion
With consistent training and patience, you’ll find potty training your Sheltie puppy to be a breeze. Establish a routine, pick up cues from your pup, and use positive reinforcement to mark a job well done. Your pup will learn at their own pace, so work with them and make learning fun. With the right approach and a few helpful tips and tricks, your Sheltie puppy can easily be potty-trained.
