Toilet Training Your Staffordshire Bull Terrier

by **Steve** Sun Jul 08 2012, 18:32

Frequently Asked Questions

Toilet Training Your

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Toilet training your staffies

One of the most stressful and frustrating exercises for a new puppy’s guardian can be toilet training. Just when you think the puppy has got the right idea, you find another puddle. Be patient, these things can take time. It's worth remembering that a puppy's bladder control is not really there until he's 3 months old or so. A young pup simply isn't able to hold it in like an older dog would.

What do you do?

The association with a toilet spot will be built of the following things:

Smell (of urine, faeces or ammonia);
Location;
Substrate eg: what the surface is made of (this can be grass, sand, tiles, newspapers etc);
Occasionally a word, command or sound; and
Physiological things like feeding, sleeping and playing.

The easiest method of toilet training is to take advantage of the puppy’s natural instincts. Dogs in the wild are fastidious about keeping the den and nests clean. Dogs generally do not toilet where they sleep or eat. Dogs and pups are most likely to go to the toilet after feeding, playing or upon waking from a sleep. As a matter of course, take your pup out every time he wakes and after every meal.

When you first get your pup, he will probably need to go at least every couple of hours during the day, less at night when he's not eating or drinking. You need to take him out at least that often, if not more. In between, keep an eye on him for the telltale signs of him needing to go.

The puppy will appear agitated and show signs of needing to go to the toilet. Sometimes they will sniff the ground or even walk around in a circle. If you see these things happening, carry the puppy quickly and calmly outside and let them go to the toilet. Stay with them so you know what he does. As soon as the puppy has gone to the toilet, give them lots of praise and even a treat.

The closer you can observe your puppy in the first few days, the less chance there will be for mistakes. The puppy will learn and understand what is expected quickly and will be more relaxed. Each time you take the puppy outside, take him to the same spot, which will start to smell right to him. As the puppy grows up they will head for that area of the garden.

You must expect accidents occasionally. Never punish the puppy by telling him off or rubbing their nose in the ‘accident’. Reprimanding the puppy will only confuse them as to what you require from them and may even make him worried about doing something when you are looking, which of course means he won't go when you take him outside. If you catch the puppy in the act of toileting, don’t say a word. Just quickly pick him and up take him out in case there's more to come.

Some puppies and older dogs will urinate because of excitement or anticipation of seeing their owner. Usually, puppies will grow out of this habit. With the older dogs, it is a little harder to control. Encourage the dog to be relaxed during greetings and to lessen the excitement. Do NOT scold the dog.

After the puppy or dog has urinated in the house, clean the area with a non-ammonia based product - there are special urine deodorising products readily available. Ordinary soap or carpet cleaner is not enough and any lingering scent may tell the pup this is the place to wee. Mini carpet cleaners can be a huge help in removing visible stains!

When adopting an adult dog, most are toilet trained but some are not. It is also not uncommon for dogs who have just or recently moved to urinate and/or defecate in the house. This can be due to stress and disorientation - it is not them being naughty! Simply go back to basics, as above, and be patient. It may take some time but it will come right!

A Staffy-bull-terrier Frequently Asked Questions