Potty training is the most stressful but at the same time the most rewarding puppy stage. It will take lots of patients and consistency, but within a few weeks your puppy will be potty trained. Here at Decipher Kennels we try our best to get your XL American Bully as close to potty trained as possible.
After they graduate from the whelping area we start the puppies on litter box training. At this stage the puppies are still too small to be introduced to outside, so we use horse pellets in a rabbit tray to teach them how to use the bathroom in a secluded area away from their lounge/ play area. From here when puppies are able to go outside we start crate training right away. By the time you receive your puppy most of the hard work is done. There still will be accidents but as long as you follow these next steps, you will get it in no time!
Step 1: Create a Routine
When it comes to raising puppies, it’s very similar to babies. They need a schedule to balance how much they eat, sleep, play as well as use the bathroom. However, puppies bladders are different. Puppies don’t have full bladder control until about 12 weeks. With each month of age the puppy should be able to hold their bladder for an additional hour. So if the puppy is 2 months, they should be able to hold their bladder for at least two hours. As long as you don’t go past the set bathroom break time you should be fine.
Some tips to help with potty training and to prevent accidents are to…
- Take your new puppy out about every 20-30mins. (As your puppy grows you can increase the time between bathroom breaks)
- Be sure to pick a bathroom spot in your yard and stay consistent. For instance, take your puppy to the exact same spot every bathroom break. This gives them a better understanding of what you’re expecting.
- Reward your puppy for using the bathroom outside. You can do this by giving your puppy a treat or by showing them extra love and attention once they get done using the bathroom. This shows your puppy that they have done something to make you happy.
- Take your puppy outside 5-10 mins after eating and drinking and also before playing.
- Create a feeding schedule
- Allow no drinking 2 hrs before bedtime
- Take your puppy outside right before their bedtime and several times in the middle of the night.
Step 2: Monitor Puppy Closely
When your puppy is in the household make sure free time is given but make sure to keep an eye out on where he/she wanders off to. You don’t want them having an accident and not knowing when or where it happened. Watch them closely and if you notice that your puppy starts to squat, correct him/her by saying, “No, outside.” If you’re not able to watch the puppy closely during the day due to work or other reasons, make sure puppy is restricted in a smaller area so they’ll second guess soiling their area. Also, crate training when you can’t supervise your puppy is a big help. Puppies do not like laying in their own mess, so they’ll hold it as long as they can.
Clues to let you know that your puppy may need to go out…
- Barking or scratching at the door
- Restlessness
- Circling and sniffing
- Squatting
Step 3: Understand Mistakes Happen
There will be more than a few mistakes during this stage. Just remember puppies are fragile and don’t know any better at the early training stages. If you catch your puppy in the act of squatting interrupt them ASAP! Don’t scare them but let them know its bad and to go outside. Any actions such as rubbing their nose in their soil, tapping them , or scolding them by their soil will only make them scared and not want to use the bathroom in front of you. Any physical punishment will often have a negative effect on the puppy.
Also, if your puppy does happen to have an accident make sure you thoroughly clean the area. Any scent of their urine or feces will make them want to mark their territory over again. If accidents become repetitive, be sure to record them so you know if you may need to adjust your puppy’s bathroom breaks. You do not want your puppy getting comfortable with using the bathroom in your home.
When and if you decide to crate train your American Bully puppy, be sure the crate is only big enough for the puppy to do a full turn and lay down comfortable. DO NOT give more room than he/she needs. Doing this will cause the puppy to use the bathroom on one side of the cage and to sleep on the other.
Step 4: Manage Your Time Away
The training stage is something that needs ones undivided attention. If you’re going to be away during the day for more than 2 hours, it will make it rather more difficult. It’s best to have someone with your puppy while you are gone at least until they are big enough to hold their bladder on their own. If you are unable to do so, you could have an excluded area for them to use the bathroom inside. However, it will prolong the potty training stage.