House Training For Your Cockapoo: Tips And Tricks
This article offers various tips and tricks for house training your cockapoo. This article will make your training process much quicker and easier, through effective scheduling and a proper reward system.
Always Reward Good Behavior
Understanding how to reward animals effectively is crucial. Rewards can include a pat on the head, a treat, or words of affirmation. Once the puppy starts to realize what behaviors are rewarded they will make sure to repeat those behaviors.. When your puppy has an accident remember that physical punishment will only confuse them and make them less likely to succeed. Instead, when your puppy makes a mistake don't think of it as punishing but guidance. Avoid physical punishment, as it can confuse the puppy. Instead, opt for a quick, sharp "NO" to correct mistakes. The shorter it is the easier for dogs to understand and remember. Again, remember that rewarding good behavior is a crucial part of disciplining a puppy.
Have a designated area
Designate a specific area indoors or outdoors for bathroom use. Once you have picked your area, make sure that you only take your puppy to the designated area for bathroom breaks. Leaving a small amount of the puppy's waste in the designated area can help them recognize it, this is called the poop spot method. Another thing to remember when having a designated spot outdoors is to choose an easily recognizable outdoor spot to prevent confusion. Make sure that designated spot is free of anything that might hurt your puppy like sharp objects or Toxic plants. If your puppy gets hurt in the designated area he wont want to use the bathroom there. Remember these tips and tricks when house training your cockapoo and you will find it to be a simple and quick process.
Get a bell
A bell can help your dog let you know when it needs to go outside. However, it won't directly teach them to use the bathroom outdoors. If you already have an indoor bathroom spot for them, you might wonder why you need a bell. But the bell is just a tool to assist in training them to go outside, not to teach them where to use the bathroom. You can use the bell for communication, whether your puppy needs to go out to play or wants attention. Here are the steps to use the bell effectively:
Touch the bell to the dog's nose (ringing it) and give them a treat
When the dog rings it on its own, give it a treat. Do this step until you feel like the puppy understands that ringing the bell means it will get a treat.
Once your puppy understands that ringing the bell means a treat, start opening the door after she rings the bell, then give the puppy a treat.
Finally, when the puppy rings the bell, start bringing her outside. Do not pick the dog up and bring her out but gently persuade the puppy to go outside by themselves and when they do give them a treat.
Slowly bring them further outside and leave them for longer amounts of time teaching them that if they want to go out and play, or if they need to use the bathroom that's how they can communicate that to you.
If your dog already knows to use the bathroom outside, encourage them to do so when they go out after ringing the bell. Reward them generously with treats and praise when they do. If they don't go right away, keep trying and be patient. With persistence and patience, they'll get the hang of it.
Morning bathroom breaks
Take your puppy to their designated spot immediately upon waking to minimize accidents. Bringing your puppy outside right after they wake up is also a great way to establish a routine for their bathroom breaks throughout the day.
Regular bathroom breaks
Besides the morning bathroom break, you should regularly take your puppy out every hour, sometimes even every half hour when just beginning. If your puppy uses the bathroom in the designated area during a bathroom break and has an accident before the next one you will need to shorten the time between breaks. Start taking your puppy out every 45 minutes, if that's still too much time in between breaks shorten it to thirty minutes. One reason you may need to change the time between breaks is age. Older cockapoos have stronger bladders and they will not need as many bathroom breaks as younger cockapoos. Older cockapoos may need bathroom breaks every hour, while younger ones may need them every 30 minutes. Make sure you keep up on your bathroom breaks and your cockapoo will be house-trained before you know it.
Playtime Bathroom break
When puppies get excited, they can occasionally lose control of themselves. Making it very important that you take your puppy to the bathroom before you play with them. However, even with a bathroom break beforehand, puppies may still have accidents, especially when they're overexcited. To prevent this from happening, it's essential to provide consistent bathroom breaks throughout the day, particularly after meals, naps, and play sessions. Additionally, keep an eye on your cockapoo's body language. Watch out for signs that might tell if your puppy needs a bathroom break. Signs such as excessive panting, pacing, or crouching. If you notice any of the signs, calmly redirect their attention to a calm activity or take them to their designated area for a bathroom break. With patience, consistency, and positive training methods, you can help your puppy learn to manage their excitement and reduce indoor accidents.
Accidents
Clean up accidents as soon as you notice them. The longer they sit, the harder they are to remove. Additionally, when cleaning, avoid using products that smell like ammonia. Since ammonia resembles the scent of urine, it might confuse your dog into thinking that's an appropriate bathroom spot. Ensure the area is thoroughly cleaned and free of any lingering scent before allowing your cockapoo back into those areas.
Conclusion
With the knowledge gained from these tips and tricks, including things like regular bathroom breaks and using a bell, you should have confidence in yourself and feel ready to begin the house training process for your cockapoo.
