Introduction
German Shepherd puppies are adorable and intelligent creatures, but they can also be quite messy. One of the biggest challenges of owning a German Shepherd puppy is housetraining them. With patience and consistency, you can teach your puppy to go to the bathroom outside, but it takes time and effort.
In this article, we will discuss the basics of housetraining a German Shepherd puppy, including:
Understanding your puppy’s bladder and bowel control
Creating a potty training schedule
Taking your puppy outside to potty
Rewarding your puppy for going to the bathroom outside
Correcting accidents
Understanding Your Puppy’s Bladder and Bowel Control
German Shepherd puppies have very small bladders and bowels, which means they need to go to the bathroom frequently. A young puppy may need to go to the bathroom as often as every 30 minutes. As your puppy gets older, they will be able to hold their bladder and bowels for longer periods of time.
It is important to understand your puppy’s bladder and bowel control so that you can take them outside to potty frequently enough. If you wait too long to take your puppy outside, they may have an accident inside.
Creating a Potty Training Schedule
One of the best ways to housetrain a German Shepherd puppy is to create a regular potty training schedule. This will help your puppy learn when they are supposed to go to the bathroom.
A typical potty training schedule might look like this:
First thing in the morning: Take your puppy outside immediately after they wake up.
After eating: Take your puppy outside 10-20 minutes after they eat.
After playing: Take your puppy outside after they have been playing for a while.
Before bed: Take your puppy outside right before you go to bed.
Taking Your Puppy Outside to Potty
When you take your puppy outside to potty, it is important to be patient and consistent. Do not get frustrated if your puppy does not go to the bathroom right away. Just keep taking them outside every 15-20 minutes until they do.
When you are taking your puppy outside to potty, it is helpful to have a specific spot that you always take them to. This will help your puppy learn that this is the place where they are supposed to go to the bathroom.
Once your puppy starts to go to the bathroom outside, be sure to praise them and give them a treat. This will help them learn that going to the bathroom outside is a good thing.
Rewarding Your Puppy for Going to the Bathroom Outside
Puppies learn best through positive reinforcement. This means that they are more likely to repeat a behavior if they are rewarded for it.
When your puppy goes to the bathroom outside, be sure to praise them and give them a treat. This will help them learn that going to the bathroom outside is a good thing.
It is important to reward your puppy immediately after they go to the bathroom outside. If you wait too long, they may not associate the reward with going to the bathroom.
Correcting Accidents
If your puppy has an accident inside, do not punish them. Punishment will only make them afraid of you and less likely to want to go to the bathroom in front of you.
Instead, clean up the accident immediately and take your puppy outside to potty. When they go to the bathroom outside, be sure to praise them and give them a treat.
Conclusion
Housetraining a German Shepherd puppy can be a challenge, but it is definitely possible with patience and consistency. By following the tips in this article, you can help your puppy learn to go to the bathroom outside in no time.
Here are some additional tips for housetraining your German Shepherd puppy:
Be consistent with your potty training schedule. Take your puppy outside to potty at the same times every day.
Be patient. It takes time and effort to housetrain a puppy. Do not get discouraged if your puppy has accidents. Just keep working with them and they will eventually get the hang of it.
Be positive. Praise your puppy when they go to the bathroom outside. This will help them learn that going to the bathroom outside is a good thing.
Be a good role model. If you want your puppy to learn to go to the bathroom outside, you need to make sure that you are not having accidents inside.
With patience and consistency, you can successfully housetrain your German Shepherd puppy.
