Pooping Puppies

Da niece, also known as my niece, now has a new adorable tiny fluffy rust colored Goldendoodle puppy. As the Naughty Gnome Aunt, I had the perfect welcome new puppy gift for her. Pooping Puppies Drink Coasters - oh yeah! After all the belly laughs, I thought offering a little practical advice might be nice.

Dear Da Niece,

As new puppy owners, you may have questions about housebreaking your pup. You might be wondering when to start, the easiest way to do it, and how to handle accidents. Having some first-hand experiences myself, here are some helpful tips to ensure a smooth and successful house-breaking process for you and your yet-to-be-named pup.

At What Age Should I Start Housebreaking My Puppy?

They say the ideal age to start housebreaking your puppy is around 8-12 weeks old. This is the time when puppies begin to develop bladder and bowel control and can start to hold their pee and poop for longer periods. However, keep in mind that all puppies are different, and some may take longer to develop these skills than others. It's essential to start housetraining your new puppy (without a name) as soon as possible to establish good habits and prevent accidents in your house. You should also keep in mind that it's never too late to start house breaking your puppy, even if he's a few months old. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, your new no-name puppy will learn to go potty outside. By then, he surely will have a name, right?

What Is the Easiest Way to House Break a Puppy?

The easiest and most effective way to housebreak your puppy is through positive reinforcement training. Here are a few tried and true steps to follow:

Puppies thrive on routine, so it's essential to establish a consistent schedule for feeding, sleeping, and potty breaks. Take your puppy outside first thing in the morning, after meals, before bedtime, and after playtime. In the first weeks of adjusting we took Lucy outside every two hours all through the night.

Choose a specific spot in your yard where you want your new nameless puppy to go potty. Take him to this spot every time you take him outside to reinforce the habit.

Reward good behavior: When your puppy goes potty outside, reward him with praise, treats, or a game. This positive reinforcement will encourage him to continue going potty outside.

Supervise your puppy: Keep an eye on your puppy and watch for signs that he needs to go potty, such as sniffing around or circling. When you notice these signs, take him outside immediately.

Clean up accidents: If your puppy has an accident in the house, clean it up thoroughly to remove any scent that may attract him to go potty in the same spot again.

Be patient and consistent: House breaking a puppy takes time and patience. Stick to your routine, reward good behavior, and be consistent with your training.

What to Do When Your Puppy Poops in the House?

If your puppy has an accident in the house, don't punish him. Punishing your puppy for going potty in the house can make him afraid to go potty in front of you and may even make the problem worse. Instead, follow these steps:

If you catch your puppy in the act of going potty in the house, interrupt him with a loud clap or a firm "NO."

Immediately take him outside to his designated potty spot to finish going potty.

Clean up the mess thoroughly to remove any scent that may attract your puppy to go potty in the same spot again.

Don't scold or punish: Remember, punishing your puppy for going potty in the house is not an effective training method. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and consistency.

Again, congratulations on your new Goldendoodle puppy! As your Naughty Gnome Aunt, I had to give you a humorous gift, but I also wanted to offer some practical advice on housebreaking your new fur baby. With these tips and a little bit of love, your yet-to-be-named pup will be a housebreaking pro in no time. Enjoy your new furry baby, - I can't wait to meet him!

Readers Digest has a comprehensive list of products for cleaning up accidents.

In case your nose is malfunctioning, there is even a special UV Flashlight Urine Detector.

P.S. We have a list of cute names for your new puppy.