Don't fall for these 5 common mistakes when trying to potty train your puppy. If you do you are setting your puppy up to never be housetrained.

Puppies comes into our home without the knowledge of how to live in a house. They simply don't know anything else.

One of the first things a new puppy owner needs to do, of course, is to potty train their puppy. As easy as this can be, people tend to over complicate it and make it difficult on them and their new puppy.
Owners tend to think that a new puppy will think and act like a mature dog but they don't, they are simply puppies. You must understand what is age appropriate in you expectations of what your puppy is capable of. Puppy owners must understand how to keep the puppy from having potty training accidents instead of scolding after the accident has already happened - not reactive.

There seems to be a common thought process among new puppy owners about the process of potty training that complicates an otherwise easy process. The outdated way we used to potty train puppies simply doesn't work and will set your puppy up to fail.

Here's what new owners think about their new puppy as it relates to potty training a puppy:

1. There is no need to allow your puppy to have accidents everyday as part of the potty training process.

2. Leaving the puppy in the back yard to potty is good puppy potty training and it is easier for the puppy.

3. Puppies are very much like young children, when they have to go, they go. There is no sign or signal.

4. There is no reason or excuse for every hitting a puppy for a potty training accident.

5. Leaving the puppy's food and water down all day for it to eat and drink is easier for the owner and better for the puppy.

These outdated thoughts will stall your potty training efforts.

These 5 mistakes will surely encourage your puppy to have potty training accidents. Whether you are at your wit's end with your new puppy, or just beginning your puppy training efforts, you must understand immediately what you need to do to help your puppy be successful now, and in the future.

Be sure that the trainer your choose and the way they train is not harsh and only uses positive reinforcement methods. And remember: "Opportunity Barks"

This apparently is the top reason for puppies being taken to dog shelter charities. It is often frustrating and often professional dog walkers such as London Dog Walking are often asked to give advice, so a key part of puppy care. Experts believe the best way to toilet train is to use a crate. Often a breeder will use a cage, and will often sell on the cage, as the puppy is used to it. This is based on the premise that puppies do not like to soil their beds and in a cage would have no choice but to sleep in the mess. This method also has the advantage of encouraging the puppy will try to manage their bladder. Young puppies from 8 weeks or so should last around 8 hours. During toilet training, place the puppy inside the cage when he cannot be supervised, whilst you are say cooking. Just before to putting pup into the cage or taking him out of the cage, take him outside so he can do his business. There should never be any water or food in the crate, just a blanket and perhaps a toy to occupy his time. As your confidence with your puppy increases, you can leave him more and more out of the cage.

The cage needs to be right size, enough floor space for him to lie down. But not so large he could urinate in a corner. The crate is essential for the dogs whole life, so to avoid replacing crated as he grows, buy one big enough for his mature size, with a partition that you can move as he grows.

The two alternatives to crate potty training a puppy are constant supervision, which in today’s busy life is too difficult for most people. This involves being with pup constantly, so you can be ready when you see his pre-potty pattern, such as sniffing the carpet. Then taking him straight out to do his business, then bring him straight back, remembering to give him praise and verbal clues such as “good dog”. The pup needs to appreciate the reason he went outside was for the toilet, nothing else, do not baffle him.

The third alternative to toilet training is put down papers or pre-treated pads, encouraging them to use these areas, often placed in the bathroom or utility room. The pads have chemicals to attract the pup. When you observe with their pre- potty pattern, pick them up quietly and take them to the pad. Praise them if they do the business. The problem with this method, is you have to do a second training to doing this outside, by moving the pads closer to the door.

Potty timing, normally, pups should to go out, soon after waking and around 40 mins after having been fed.

At times puppies will spontaneously urinate when scared or excited, sometimes known as submissive urination. Do not discipline the puppy for this. If they are liable to this, go for a walk, prior to any excitement, like friends coming. Or if visiting, go for a walk, just before, or on arrival. The puppy will normally grow out it after about 6 months.
To strengthen the potty training, as in dog training, you should to use verbal clues. Great ones are simple and distinctive. Everyone in the family or in contact with the dog, such as your dog walkers and the pet sitter need to use the same words. One or a maximum of two words.

Outside: For going outside, to go to the potty. Use a different word such as “play” if its for more of a fun activity, though he may go to the toilet when he is there.

Potty: Do the business.
Good Dog: For praise – any.
No: When they are doing anything wrong, such as going in the wrong area, or inside.
Two rules:
1. Always praise success.
2. Do not punish the puppy, if you do not catch him in the act of doing something wrong. The puppy will have no idea why you are scolding him.

If you see him urinating inside, carry him to the place, will often stop him, as well as reinforcing what he should be doing.