Potty Training Puppies and Kittens
Bringing home your new pet for the first time is very exciting but, along with the excitement, comes the daunting task of house training. For some young pets (most kittens) housetraining is almost instinctual, but if your new kitten does not take to the litterbox, there are a few things to check. Be sure to have the litterbox in an easily accessible, quiet location. Also, your kitten’s sense of smell is sensitive and your kitten may find scented litter too strong. Switch to an unscented litter and, to keep the litter smelling fresh, use a litter odor remover like Hartz Nodor.
Puppies need a little more training. Some things to remember when starting:
1. Do not leave a puppy without access to a potty area during the day for longer than your pup’s age in months plus one (in hours). This means a 2-month-old puppy should not be left for more than three hours without a chance to relieve itself. Puppy training pads can provide a suitable area when your puppy needs to be left alone.
2. When you are at home and awake, take your puppy outside at least once per hour. Watch your puppy for signs that once per hour is too long; some young puppies cannot wait this long. Puppy training pads can help while your puppy is loose in the house.
3. Give lots of praise when your puppy potties in the right area.
With a little guidance, you can have your new companion house-trained and a welcomed addition to your family.
--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
---------------------
Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
Abby on June 30, 2009 at 05:00 AM
I hate pee pads. In my opinion they are confusing to the dog and prolong the housebreaking process. You have to teach the dog to use the pee pad, then you have to re-train it to go outside. What once was "good" suddenly becomes "bad", and the poor puppy has no idea why! It's much better to start with taking the dog outside from the beginning.
arthritis on September 10, 2009 at 06:30 AM
I m really fade up with my puppy's potty habit so I m surely going to try it...
potty training puppies on September 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
In my opinion they are confusing to the dog and prolong the housebreaking process. You have to teach the dog to use the pee pad
holidays to sharm el sheikh on October 11, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Hi..
You have to teach the dog to use the pee pad, then you have to re-train it to go outside.
dog whisperer on December 05, 2009 at 05:10 AM
the pee pad, then you have to re-train it to go outside. What once was "good" suddenly becomes "bad", and the poor puppy has no idea why! It's much better to start with taking the dog