How to potty train your Pitbull puppy
Potty training is arguably the most difficult part of the training and dog owner process. Luckily, an intelligent and eager-to-please breed, pit bulls are among the easier of breeds to potty train, compared to small and toy breeds.
In this article, we provide foolproof tips for getting your pit bull type dog potty trained. By pairing the subsequent steps we outline with patience and consistency, we are confident that you will have a fully potty trained dog in no time.
Note: It takes several months for your dog to fully grasp the expectations of potty training. The more times they successfully go outside, the quicker they will understand. Consistency is key.
What age should you start potty training?
The ideal age for a pit bull puppy to be potty trained is around 8 to 10 weeks. It is advised to begin potty training as early as possible, as the older the puppy becomes, the longer they have had time to practice poor potty training behavior and the more difficult it is to permanently correct their behavior. It is possible but can prove to be quite difficult and frustrating.
It’s also important to remember that to be patient as the puppy you are training is still learning for the first time. Your puppy will also need constant supervision and rewards to remain motivated towards this training.
If done right, a pit bull puppy can be potty trained easily.
Tools for potty training your Pitbull
Treats
Identify the treat your puppy loves the most and keep a stock of it in your house during the potty-training period. You will need many treats to communicate to your puppy when they’ve done the right thing.
Crate
Crates can be wonderful assistant during the potty training process. also be a great help when you are training your puppy. Most dog’s will not eliminate in the same place where they sleep so keeping your puppy crated when you’re not directly supervising them can really speed up the potty training process. I recommend creating a consistent schedule where the puppy is allowed to play out with direct supervision and times for them to be sleeping in the crate. The crate is one of the most important tools for the potty training process.
Cleaning Supplies
Lastly, it would help if you also had cleaning supplies in your house in case of an accident. Use a powerful disinfectant and odor removal liquid to clean the accident spots. Ensure to use a cleaner that breaks down the enzymes in waste so that your puppy is not encouraged to use the bathroom in the same place if an accident does occur inside of your home.
Step 1: frequent potty breaks
Training your pit bull puppy requires taking the puppy outdoors on frequent potty breaks. For this, you will need to choose a secluded and noiseless spot nearby your house, especially far from the reach of other dogs. If the puppy is still going through the socialization period, the choice of the spot will make all the difference in your training.
When the potty break arrives, take your pup to the chosen spot, and give instructions using a simple command, such as “go potty” or “hurry up.” If the puppy responds to the command and begins to pee or poop, reward her with lavish verbal praise and affection as soon as she finishes. The reward will encourage her to repeat their behavior and potty outside.
Step 2: Determine the time of potty breaks.
During the first few days of the puppy`s entry into the home, note its potty timings and duration between each elimination. Keeping that in mind, it will become easy for you to determine how to time your puppy’s potty breaks.
Once a habit is built up, it is routine for the puppy to accompany you to the potty spot during the potty break.
Important times to note for potty training
To encourage your pit bull puppy to eliminate outside more consistently, you’ll want to incorporate the following times in your potty schedule.
1. Morning
2. After every nap
3. After play
4. After meals
If you habitually never miss out on these important timings, your puppy will be trained before you know it!
Step 3: Schedule the pup`s feeding times
Like all dogs, pit bull puppies respond well to schedules and are always eager to please. Setting up a feeding schedule for your puppy will help your puppy get on a regular schedule for eliminating, which wil drastically l speed up the process of training. Additionally, getting your puppy on a regular feeding schedule also supports them in developing a disciplined eating routine and provides time to bond with your new best friend.
How to know when your Pittie puppy needs to go potty
Time is of the essence when potty training a puppy. The more times you can get your puppy outside before they eliminate, the quicker they will make the connection that you want them to only potty outside. This means you want to catch your puppy before any accidents happen. To do so, you’ll need to learn to recognize the signs that your puppy should be taken on a potty break.
Like all dogs, when a pit bull needs to defecate, they usually move around an object or a place to find the perfect spot. If you see your pup circling an area in your home, you know to get them outside ASAP.
Some pups start scratching the floor or a door, sniffing around, or barking incessantly when they need to use the bathroom. When you spot these behaviors, leave everything aside and take your puppy for a potty break.
Try not to scold your puppy
Always remember that the beginning of the potty-training days can be pretty rough for you and the pup both. The puppy might not respond to your instruction the way it should. In such a case, remain persistent. Please do not shout at your puppy or even scold it. These forms of negative reinforcement can dissuade your pit bull from following instructions in the future.
Worse, the scolding can make your puppy timid and scared, elongating the training and socializing process and compromising your puppy’s trust in you. It can take months to train a puppy, but it is not always the same speed for each case. Some puppies might take a year or more to get potty trained. Patience should be your companion during the process.
Conclusion
The process of potty training a pit bull can take some time but can be a smooth process with the right tools. Applying the tips in this article can certainly support you in getting your pit bull potty trained in no time. Remember, consistency, patience, and clear communication are the most important tools in the process.
