No one wants to wake up in the morning to find a warm piece of fresh poop in the corridor, no matter how cute your Pom is. Yes, potty training is vital for the cleanliness of your house, and more importantly, your sanity. If you are a new puppy owner, here are 5 tips to help teach your Pom where and how to do his/her business:

Patience is a virtue.

Remember that potty training can take weeks or months. Although it can be frustrating if your Pom does not behave as expected, expect this to be a challenge especially for young puppies.

Consistency is the best policy.

Always get your Pom to poop outside at the same time and at the same place (eg. A tree in the corner of the garden). Your Pom usually has a preferred territory that it would like to relieve itself. Going to the same location every time will associate and signal to your Pom that is the right and safe place to answer nature’s call.

Reward your Pom whenever it poops outside.

You should always provide treats and shower your Pom with lots of affection whenever it poops outside as this will generate positive associations with the act. Positive reinforcement in turn builds the right habits that you desire for your Pom.

Actively supervise your dog to prevent potty accidents.

A great way to do this is to attach the dog brace to yourself (eg. Your jeans). Attaching your dog to yourself prevents your Pom from getting out of control and forces them to stay near you. Even after periods of training, your Pom puppy may still pee or poop at unexpected times due to a variety of reasons. For example, submissive or excitement urination is common. Your dog is feeling a little nervous or extra excited. Most dogs get over this within 12-18 months of age. This can be faster if you socialize your dog properly.

Crate training is useful if you are unable to actively supervise your Pom.

Crates should only be used for short periods to keep your Pom out of trouble. Introduce the crate delicately so that your puppy enjoys being inside. Open the crate, let them smell its surroundings first. Do not force it into the crate. Once it has finished checking the crate out, give a treat for positive association with him and the crate. Put another treat inside the crate. Get your pom comfortable with being inside. Make sure that you do not lock your puppy in the crate for more than 4 – 5 hours, as it may trigger separation anxiety.

Limit access to preferred locations.

Slowly give your dog access to various parts of the house with plenty of supervision. Do not allow your puppy to roam freely in your house when you first get your puppy.

Do not punish your puppy if it relieves itself in your house.

Your Pom will associate your presence and peeing negatively. Your Pom could then turn into a ‘stealth toileter’ by relieving itself secretly and quickly whenever the owner is not around. In the event where your Poms starts to pee at the wrong place, immediately pick the puppy up and bring it outside.

Potty training is challenging but a rewarding part of taking care of your Pom. If you follow these tips religiously, your Pom will be well-behaved in no time. The best part is, your house will remain clean too!