A 10-week-old puppy is old enough to start learning where and when to relieve himself, though it may take him some time to understand what his master is asking when training begins. With a puppy this age, potty training may take several weeks before the new behavior becomes consistent.
Instructions
1. Keep the puppy in a crate at night and when you leave the house. Crate training is a method that uses a puppy's natural instincts to keep him away from his urine and feces. The crate can be a small dog carrier or a cage that is made smaller via the use of a partition. The crate you choose should not have enough room in it for the puppy to relieve himself and then go to sleep without touching the mess. When he realizes he cannot relieve himself without having to rest in his mess, he will learn to hold it until it's time to go.
2. Take the puppy out of the crate first thing in the morning and anytime you are at home. If you leave the puppy in the crate too long, he will not be able to hold it, and will have no choice but to relieve himself. This teaches the puppy the opposite message. Instead of learning to hold it, he will learn that he has no choice but to relieve himself inside the crate. At 10 weeks, the puppy will be sleeping soundly throughout the night, and will be able to hold it for about 3 hours during the day.
3. Let the puppy go outside after each meal and immediately after waking up in the morning and from naps. These are the times when the need for relieving himself is almost certain, so they are good times to use positive reinforcement.
4. Carry a small treat with you when you take your puppy out to potty. As soon as the puppy relieves himself, give him plenty of praise and a treat. He will soon learn that the praise, the treat and the urinating or defecating all go together. Continue the training until the puppy understands that he is expected to potty outside every time. At this age, it can take 3 or 4 weeks before the puppy fully connects all of his behaviors with the rewards he wants.
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