If you've finally decided to take the plunge and get a puppy then this article is for you.
No matter how sweet they are you'll still be annoyed if they use your carpet as a toilet! Unfortunately the process of getting them puppy trained is not an easy one, but this article should arm you with all the tips you need to make it as painless as possible.
Keeping your dog in a crate when it is left alone for long periods will really hasten the potty training process.
Dogs are nesting animals that never soil their nest (the crate).
When they are left in it for extended periods such as through the night it encourages the puppy to wait and pee outside.
As soon as you let the puppy out of the crate it is advisable to take it to an outdoor area where you'd like it to pee.
I tend to use a voice command such as 'puppy pee' and repeat this until it goes to the toilet.
The puppy will then learn to associate the command with going to the toilet.
If you don't use a crate then your task is slightly more difficult.
I suggest laying newspaper in the corner of a room and every time you think your puppy is about to go to the toilet place it on this newspaper.
Every time it goes to the toilet it the right place it is important to praise your puppy.
Over time, as the puppy gets more used to peeing on the newspaper, move the newspaper close and closer to the door, and eventually outside.
As you can imagine this is a slow process so I would once again encourage the use of a crate.
It is easier to get a puppy to realise where is should be going to the bathroom when you encourage them and reward their positive behaviour.
This can be via a verbal command such as 'well done' but some people find it works better if you use treats.
Puppy pads which absorb wee have been developed in recent years but I have had no experience with them.
I view them as an unnecessary expense and think newspaper is more than adequate.