I got a 6 week old Pit Bull...Potty Tips anyone?

Answer 1

They have free Potty Training classes at Petsmart. Outside of Potty Training, please be sure to get the puppy into some training classes with positive reinforcement and Socialization with people and other dogs. Also read everything you possibly can on the breed. You've taken on a big responsibility. This breed needs more good owners to help get rid of their bad rep. Show all the people who want to ban them how under control and loving yours is.
(Sorry, don't mean to sound like I'm nagging or something. I'm a Training Instructor and see a lot of these dogs where I'm at. I hate it when the wrong owners get them because they don't help the breed get a better rep at all.)

Answer 2

I know it sounds a little harsh but the best way to stop your dog from defecating or urinating in the house is by rubbing his or her face in it.By doing so the dog will quickly realize that if he or she goes to bathroom in the house his or her face will go right into it and I am pretty sure dogs find that action enforced by you,incredibly repulsive.Soon you dog will beg you to let outside.I guarantee it...Tom Science 4

Answer 3

Aside from the Potty stuff- have the dog fixed. Nice or not- you probably don't want people shun away from you.

Answer 4

Well first of all congratulations on your new member of the family.Many people do not understand why their dog does not know what to do when taken outside. Just turning him loose in the back yard a few times a day is not the way to house train a dog. Merely taking him outside also does not mean that he knows what he is being taken outside for.

Housebreaking in theory is very simple. It is finding the means of preventing the puppy from doing his business in the house and only giving him the opportunity to do it outside. It also means that the dog leearns to communicate with you about going when told and letting you know when he has to go outside. A dog is an animal of habit and because he learns by association, if his training is consistent he will learn that there is no other place to relieve himself other than outdoors.

You need to take advantage of a very natural instinct of the dog-his desire to keep his sleeping quarters clean. You need to offer him a den in the form of a crate either wire or plastic. This becomes his bed that he cannot get out of. If the crate is the right size he will not soil in it. Puppies will not initially like it but within a few days they will accept it without a problem. A crate is also for your dogs protection and for your piece of mind unless you want him to mess in the house and chew up all of the things you work so hard for in life.

The question you need to ask yourself is would I rather get the dog used to the crate or clean up dog crap on my floor. An easy question to answer. Puppies do get over the fact that screaming will get them nowhere-as long as you ignore it do not take them out of the crate when they are yelling. Those dogs know that if they make enough noise they will be free to roam and mess whereever they want to. People who give in create their own problems.

When thinking of the size of the crate think small. Think den not condo. The use of too large a crate will encourage the pet to use a small portion for a bed and the remainder as a place to relieve himself. The puppy should only be able to relieve himself outdoors. Never use a crate as a place that your dog goes to when he is punished.

A puppy should never have free run of the house unless you have your eyes on him at all times. If he poops in the floor b/c you turnes your back for 45 seconds-well you screwed up and made a mistake don't blame your pup for it. the only time they should be allowed to be loose in the house is after they have gone outside and even then only for short periods of time.

puppies must go outside first thing in the morning and I mean first thing. He has been clean all night and holding it all night he will go in a hurry beacuse he has to go. Now bring him in a nd give him freedom but only in the kitchen. A baby gate at the doorway is a great barrier. After you eat breakfast take him out, then feed him his and take him out immediately. Remember the rule OUTSIDE AFTER EATING-SLEEPING-PLAYING.

The bottom line is you cannot take your dog outside to much. If you take him out every hour then he learns that he will have a chance to go outside. When taking him out ask him if he WANTS TO GO OUTSIDE just before going out and praise with a GOOD OUTSIDE or GOOD BOY when he does go.

One last point on housebreaking. Commercial or store bought dog food takes 14-15 hours to go through the dog, a natural diet takes 5-6 hours.

Pointers on housetraining:

1.Do not vary your dogs diet

2.Treats should only be given as a reward for going potty outside or for going in his crate.

3.Praise everytime you see him pee or poop. Do this forever, reinforcing good behavior never hurt anything.

4.Bring him in as soon as he does his business.

5.Exercise brings on the urge to pee and poop. So if he won't go play for a few minutes and see what happens.

6.Puppies should never be punished for relieving himself in the house unless you catch him in the act. Catch him in the act or scolding is no good.

7.Always give a VERBAL punishment NO HITTING under any circumstances.

I hope that some of this has helped I use it on my 5 week old puppy and he hasn't gone potty in the house for 5 days now.
Good Luck

Answer 5

You have to get a rolled up peice of paper and start early.. Get it trained to a certain spot in the yard..

Answer 6

what is with people and these puppy's not being 8 week old before they leave there mother.

Answer 7

A puppy is like a baby. He will relieve himself anywhere, anytime. Because a newly adopted adult dog is unfamiliar with your home, he may not understand where he should "go"! Housetraining, or teaching your dog to go outside to relieve himself, is an important lesson your dog must learn.
It is up to you, the new parent, to housetrain your new puppy or dog with patience, love and understanding.
CRATE TRAINING
In the wild, wolves live in a den or cave. It is important the entire wolf pack keep this area clean. The same idea works with your family pet. Your dog’s crate is his home, his bedroom. It is likely that your dog will not like to soil his bed. Therefore, he will wait until he is let out to do his business.
HOUSETRAINING WITH YOUR CRATE
On average, puppies can hold their bladders one hour for every month they have been alive, plus one hour. For example, if you have a three month old puppy, he can wait 3 + 1 = 4 hours. If you work longer than this, the best solution is to have someone (a neighbour, a relative, a dog walker) come in at an appropriate time to let your dog out.

100 PER CENT SUPERVISION
Supervision is the key to housetraining! While you are at home, your dog must be supervised. Whether you are watching television, making dinner, on the phone or on the computer, your puppy must be watched. While it sounds like an impossible task, it isn’t. Keeping the crate in a social part of the house makes it easier. Using a house lead – a small, thin lead with a little clip on it – also helps immensely. Outside, you put a lead on your dog so you can control him. If the lead is removed after returning home, control is lost. For example, when watching television, have the lead tied to a couch leg. Your dog can have his blanket and toys with him. He’ll feel safe and comfortable. The majority of accidents happen when your pup wanders off and you haven’t noticed. You don’t want him to sneak off into the kitchen and find a puddle a short time later. If your pup is kept from wandering, the possibility of an accident is diminished because he will not eliminate where he is sitting. 100 per cent supervision means ensuring your dog is playing with you, in his crate, outside or on his house lead.

SCHEDULING
In the morning, take your dog outside. He should urinate and possibly have a bowel movement. Spend about five to seven minutes with him and then bring him in. Do not play with him yet. Feed him breakfast, either in the crate or with the lead, and supervise it. If your pup did not have a bowel movement earlier, take him back outside about 15 minutes after he has eaten. Use the lead to keep your pup moving along while outside. Otherwise, he may start sniffing, stopping and playing to avoid the job at hand. You can say “hurry up” and your dog will begin to associate these words with the task at hand. Praise him excessively when he has eliminated. Bring him back in the house and place him in his crate if you are going to work. Continue to supervise him with the crate or the lead if you are home. When returning after being out, go directly to the crate, let him out, praise him and put him back in. Feed him his meal, take him outside 15 minutes after he has eaten, praise him after he eliminates, and bring him back in. Continue to follow the same steps consistently.

While you are home, you should take your pup outside on a regular basis. Even if your pup is in a crate or on a house lead, he still needs the opportunity to eliminate. Also, be careful what you wish for! A pup who barks to go outside may be cute and clever now. However, you must try not to fall into the habit of leaping up every time your dog wants in or out. It is a very submissive gesture on your part. Have your pup wait a moment or two.

Setting up a schedule is also a good idea. If your pup is under four months of age, take him out for five minutes every hour on the hour. If your pup is over four months old, take him out every second hour on the hour. The schedule will help you remember when to take him out. Go out for five minutes only. It provides the opportunity to eliminate even if your pup may not need to go. Take your dog out after active play and also after napping. If an accident occurs, you may have forgotten to take him out .

FEEDING TIME
Having a puppy drink a lot of water and then placing him in his crate is much more unkind than letting him be a bit thirsty for an hour or two. Adult dogs should have access to drinking water at all times. However, this is not the case for untrained pups. Most parents will not allow their children to drink a big glass of water before going to bed. Avoid setting your pup up for failure. Restrict his water intake to three or four drinks daily and make sure you remove the water dish about three hours before bedtime. This will help your dog sleep more comfortably.

If it is a hot evening, supply your pup with a few ice cubes. They will enter your dog’s system at a slower pace. When feeding your pup, provide a high-quality food that is a good source of protein. The food must be concentrated so your puppy’s body doesn’t require much of it. If you feed less, your puppy eliminates less. Food is directly related to how well puppies do in their housetraining.

EXERCISE
It is important that your pup gets a lot of exercise, especially while crate training. You can play fetch, chase or hide and seek in your home. You can call ‘come’ at the same time to provide further training. Anyway you do it, your pup needs to be able to run and play.

Answer 8

same way you do any other dog!!!!!