German Shepherd Potty Training

They are known to be highly patient dogs who can endure pain without a single complaint. This is the reason they are considered good dogs for children as they do not mind the nudges, pulls and pushes while playing.

This will remove any behavioral issues, if any, in future. The first training that you should begin with is housebreaking a dog. The minute you bring home the puppy, start with the process of housebreaking.

A German Shepherd puppy has poor control over his bladder and bowels. This is the reason you will need to stay alert at all times and prevent any accident within the house. The only time you can breathe easy is when the puppy is eating or sleeping.

You should never leave a puppy unsupervised within the house till he has completed his housebreaking process successfully. Always keep a watch on the little one or else leave him in a crate for some time. You can leave the puppy in a crate, kept in that area of the house where every member of the family visits.

Do not keep the crate in a far away corner. And remember, a crate is not meant to be a jail or disciplining tool. It is meant to be a comfortable bedroom for the puppy to sleep and get some rest while you are away. Consistency is the key when it comes to potty training a German Shepherd.

If you falter even slightly during the potty training process, do not blame the pup for any accidents within the house. Persistence and consistency will help you successfully train the pup to go potty only in the designated area. Let us now have a look at some potty training tips for a German Shepherd.

The minute you bring home the puppy, take him outside on a leash to the designated area for potty. Choose the door from where your puppy will be allowed to go outside in future.

Always lead the puppy outside on a leash, never allow him to run free. Make sure you have tied a bell to the door. Every time you take him out, ring the bell. You can even take his front paws and ring the bell. Many owners make one big mistake of carrying their puppy to the designated area.

You love your puppy a lot, but this is bad for training him. Lead him on a leash to the designated area and wait for him to urinate or defecate. When you reach the spot, say a go word like, 'Go Potty'. You may have to wait for sometime till he does not do his business. The minute he urinates or defecates, praise him and give him a dog treat.

Now, lead the puppy on the leash to the house. Use the same door you used to take him out. Now, play with your puppy and give him his food and water. Play with the puppy again and after about 20 minutes or so, take him out for potty again.

Repeat the whole process again. Lead him with a leash, go to the door, ring the bell, say 'Go Potty'. Then reach the designated spot and repeat the words, 'Go Potty'. Wait for the pup to answer nature's call and the minute he does so, shower him with praises and a treat. Bring the dog back inside the house and play with him for some time.

You can leave him in his crate for some time if you have to complete some work around the house. After 20 to 30 minutes, take the puppy back outside for potty. Always leave the crate in an area that is frequented by a family member, like the living room or kitchen.

If your puppy has an 'accident' within the house or inside the crate, never ever scold or punish him. You should clean up the mess without getting frustrated or shouting at the dog. When cleaning, make sure the pup is around watching you clean his mess. Use a urine cleaner to remove all the traces of urine from the spot.

You will need to repeat the process several times a day for a few days or weeks till your pup is trained. At night, before you go to sleep, take the pup outside and allow him to finish his business. You may have to wake up at night twice or thrice and take the puppy outside to urinate or defecate.

Always make the puppy sleep in his crate at night till the housebreaking process is complete. Leave the crate in a place from where he can see you all night.

He may whimper, he may cry, he will try tricks in the book that will melt your heart and allow him to come out of the crate. But, do not give in to his charms as it is for the good of the pup as well as your peace of mind. Or else you will wake up in a house full of puppy mess.

After about a few days and within a month, you will find your pup will learn how, when and where to go potty. You will also find the pup ringing the bell or scratching the door to be let out for potty. Accidents will happen, it is a part of the training, but do not lose your temper. Stay calm and continue training your puppy.

Remember, a puppy needs to defecate or urinate after about 20 minutes of eating or drinking water. You should play with your dog for sometime and allow him to digest his food. Then take him outdoors and once he goes potty, give him a treat.

When you find your puppy is reaching the completion steps of the process, start weaning him away from treats. Once or twice skip giving the treats. Once the pup spends about 20 to 25 days without an accident, it indicates your puppy is successfully house trained.

This was all about German Shepherd potty training. The initial stages may sound wearisome and tedious. Taking your pup outside for potty every 20 minutes will help solve the problem of mess in house and will help to house train the puppy soon. Make sure you take turns with other family members and everyone follows the same routine religiously.