Generally, a puppy is adopted between the ages of 8-10 weeks, with 8 weeks being the most common but 10-12 weeks being the more ideal. The longer the puppy is with its mother, the better off the temperament will be - bonus: the pup learns from the mother best.
When you bring your puppy home, there's a chance that it will need some potty training - which takes time and patience, because not all dogs learn at the same pace so some may take longer than others. At about 5 weeks old, before leaving the mom to go to their new home, the pup will start to leave the sleeping area to relieve themselves. It is a dog's natural instinct to not soil their "den" area where they may eat or sleep - they can be so polite sometimes! The problem comes when they do not know they shouldn't be doing their business inside the home, because once they choose a spot to go, that's generally where they will go every time. I can see it with my pack as well, they all have their own "special" spots to go in the backyard, which helps when I miss catching one of them going so I can make sure they went, or know to pick up their poop, I can just walk around the yard and know who went where. Creatures of habit - or in the dog world, this is called "location preference."
When they are young, they can be persuaded to go to a spot of your choosing - like, outside, preferably. 😂 This can be done by taking the dog outside on a leash and guiding them to a general location where you wish they would go, repeatedly, until they get the grasp of the location - i.e. they start to guide you there to do their business. Once they start to do that, you can gradually work them off the leash because they will know that is the location to go on their own. This is where time and patience is very much needed.
Slacking off in this part of training could lead to accidents in the house if you are not aware of what your pup is up to (or even a new adult dog you may have adopted. There are also training tools, such as bells for the doorknob or even pet doorbells, that can be used to train your dog to alert you that they need to "go." My own pack ranges from 11 years old to 1 year old, and every single one of them uses the bells on the door knob method to let me know when they have to go - adulthood can get busy sometimes, so them letting me know it's time helps immensely. If you decide to use tools, as previously mentioned, it is important to teach your pet how to use them properly - for example, I taught mine to use their paw to tap the bells, then I would take them out immediately after they were the ones to do it. They also know the word "out" when it is their normally scheduled time to go out for play or training in the yard. Options are not limited to what I do with my dogs, there are so many options out there for what you can teach your dog for potty time.
(Doorknob bells)
If an accident inside the home happens - which it can, especially with puppies and seniors, it is important to do all that you can to remove the odor and restrict access to that area, as it can become a recurring habit due to the scent of the enzymes in their urine being able to be sniffed out as "this is a place I can go." This is why it is important to get your pup out often, especially shortly after eating. Being unavailable to your dog's needs when it comes to potty time can lead to adult dogs eliminating inside the home at free will.
Body language is such a strong tool for any owner to have when it comes to their pets, especially during potty time. The important thing to remember is to remain vigilant and never leave them unsupervised. Some body language signs can include circling, pawing, barking, sniffing, panting, pacing, and staring at you. If you notice any of these signs, it would behoove you to move and get them outside immediately. Something so simple could save a lot of time from cleaning up a mess that could have been prevented.
Remember, no matter what you decide to teach your dog for alerting to potty time, the main key to success is repetition and patience. Don't be discouraged if they take some time to catch on, because every dog has different levels of learning abilities and you just need to find what works for yours. 🐾
- The Shark Amongst the Paws
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