Toilet training

This is an important part of training your dog to be an acceptable member of the community. Start when the puppy is very young and ensure that, whether or not you have a garden, there is a place that the puppy can use for toilet purposes. Briefly, the procedure goes as follows:

Dogs are very much creatures of habit. If they are fed at regular times and unless they have a stomach upset, they will need to urinate and defecate at regular times.

Take your puppy to his toilet place shortly after he has eaten. When he performs, use a particular phrase which the puppy will begin to associate with his regular functions. ‘Be quick’ or ‘Be clean’ are examples, and there should be lavish praise when the appropriate function follows your words.

After a time your puppy will know what is meant by these words. Once that level of understanding has been reached, it should not be difficult to get your dog to perform in a particular place when you are out.

Clauses in The Environmental Protection Act 1990 now require dog owners to clean up after their pets in public places – always remember to use a ‘poop scoop’.