This is a topic that I get so many questions on so I thought I could give a few more tips here. Of course I go in much more detail in my book and videos here.

The best thing to remember is that your puppy can “hold it” for about 1 hour for every month of age. So your new puppy (usually 8 weeks) should be able to go about 2 hours before needing a potty break. This is good information to know so you can plan accordingly.

You want to set your new puppy up for success. With the right planning and some diligence on your part you can have the puppy potty trained without it ever having an accident in your home. Of course there may be accidents that you just cant catch. Make sure to clean the area with white vinegar solution or a good pet stain cleaner. If there is a scent left over the puppy will want to use the spot again.

I know pee or poop on your beautiful carpet can be very frustrating but please remember that the puppy will always learn and respond so much better to praise than discipline. If you didnt catch the puppy in the act than there is nothing you can do…the little stinker wont know what he did wrong and any discipline will just confuse the heck out of him. If you do catch him in the act give him a frm “no” or “ah! ah!” or whatever correction you like to use..and scoop him up, take him outside to finish releaving himself. If he does finish outside praise like crazy!

Dont give up, stay consistent and this phase will be over soon. You are well on your way to a wonderfully trained dog. If only kids were this easy!

What is there not to love about a puppy. They are so stinking cute. I have had to show extreme will power not to walk away with many of the puppies I have gone to see. Its especially tempting when the puppies have been well cared for and socialized. The personalities are more developed and I know they are going to make great dogs. Training is so much easier with a puppy that has been handled and socialized well from birth.

I am always asked how young to start training my puppy. The answer is there are things that can be done from birth that will help in your dogs obedience. Handling the puppies when they are very young to get them used to human touch. Introducing verbal commands and praise at just weeks old. These are some of the reasons why it is so important to get a puppy from a reputable breeder.

You wont be able to start working with your new puppy until about 8 wks (avg age puppies are safe to leave momma). This is all critical time to start teaching a puppy what is expected to live in a human world. I love going and seeing a litter of puppies where it is obvious how much time and love has been given to those puppies. Dont be offended if they ask you a bunch of questions regarding your past with dogs and current living conditions. They ask because they do love these puppies so much and want to make sure they are going to good home.

It would seem there has been enough information on the news and other outlets to get the warning out about puppy mills but people just keep on supporting them. I have to assume its still an education issue. I read today about one of the large pet stores that sales puppies in malls for extremely inflated prices are now under investigation for knowingly selling sick puppies. These stores have huge signs in their store that they puppies are not from puppy mills and assume we will just believe them. Thankfully there are passionate dog lovers that dont just take their word and actually did some invesigation. The results were that the puppies do come from puppy mills.

Puppy mills are big business and we need to get the word out. I have been to those stores and just want to shake people that are looking or actually buying one of these poor puppies. I know its not their fault. They dont know any better. The fact is for half if not a third the money you could get a healthy puppy from a reputable breeder. Not only are you rolling the dice with the dogs health if you buy from one of these stores (puppy mills) but you are also very likely to have a very poor representation of the breed.

The demand for dogs are always going to be high. They are an amazing pet and a blessing to mankind. We have to stop the demand for puppies from puppy mills. We have to educate people to go to the dog shelters or reputable breeders only. Until that happens this story will continue on its tragic path. There has to be hope. Lets keep spreading the word!