MYTH NO. 1: Puppy has had an ‘accident’, you should rub their nose in it?!?

WRONG!!!

This should NEVER be done – your puppy has urinated/defecated because he/she hasn’t yet been taught the right place to go. Dogs are naturally clean animals and once they are aware of the correct toileting area they will stick to it. It is YOUR job to be consistent and PREVENT accidents, by watching for signs and being a step ahead of your puppy. Rubbing your puppy’s nose in their urine or faeces will only cause your puppy extreme distress and in the future they may choose to go to the toilet behind a sofa or even attempt to consume the faeces in a bid to hide it from you. This is a classic indication that your puppy does not know the acceptable toilet procedure, or that he/she doesn’t know how to ask to go out.

So, how do you teach house training? Start by asking your puppy for a sign (for example sit, paw, speak) by the door so they learn to ‘ask’ you to go outside. Next, it’s best to take your puppy out in the garden regularly, perhaps every 2 hours, also when they wake up, after every meal and after play. Then, every time your puppy goes to the toilet outside, make lots of fuss of them and give them a treat. They will very soon learn that this is the right thing to do.

With patience and kindness, your puppy will learn quickly - remember, it’s about positive reinforcement, ie praising your puppy for getting it right, not chastising them for getting it wrong.