Tips on puppy training & also how to integrate a new puppy with my cats?

Question

So.... I was out almost all day Sunday with friends & when I came home there was a new addition to my family! My husband had been talking about this for a few months, but I didn't realize how serious he was until I saw the cute little puppy napping in the carrier on the kitchen floor!
Surprise!!!!
I didn't know what to think, but I fell instantly in love!
Now I told him before, when he was talking about getting a dog, that it would be his & my son's responsibility... & he agreed "Oh, yes.. you won't have to worry about it!" But guess who is home most of the day.... that's right---Me! I know nothing about potty training a dog, etc. & there have already been a few accidents. The place he bought the puppy from did, however, provide us with some handouts & info.
Right now the puppy is confined to the kitchen until he is house-broken. We have paper on the floor, & he has all the essentials. I take him outside about every 2 hours to try to get him to 'go'.
(to be continued....)

Now I am a little worried about how the four cats in my house are going to handle the adjustment. My one, Kayla, doesn't seem to be bothered by the puppy, & has been in the kitchen several times, looked at it, & walked away. The others are keeping their distance. I put one of the litter boxes in the other end of the house , just incase the cats get too scared to go to the back room(which is past the kitchen) to use it.
I could use some suggestions.....
Also, we are working on a name. There is a pic & description of the puppy on my 360 page, if anyone cares to check it out & leave some ideas. You may leave a comment on my blog or here.

Thank you ! ;-)

Thanks for your responses so far!
Please do not send me advertisements for videos &/or books. I'm asking for advice from others who have had the same experience. ;-)

Answer 1

pick one word to use every time you take the puppy out so he associates it with going potty. I tell mine "potty". At first you give the comand and nothing but keep saying it and when he does finally go praise him greatly by saying things like good boy/girl for potty. The pup will get the hang of it. I would take him out a little more often than every 2 hours though. Itls kind of like potty training your child. A few minutes after he eats take him out. Kind of watch to see when he goes and learn to tell when he needs to go, like when he starts smelling alot or turning around to go poo-poo. That's when you pick him up and put him out and say your word. Also when he has an accident in the house clean it up with a paper towel and put in the yard where you want him to go and let him smell it. If he has an accident in the house put his nose in it and tell him NO and then put him outside with the wet papertowel and praise him so he associates the praise with outside and the stern reprimand with the accident in the house.

Answer 2

Maybe your puppy is NOT a well-behaved puppy.But whatever your reasons are,It is NOT your puppy' fault.In fact,puppys are very very clever.They just need to be trained correctly.But, puppy training method could not be expressed clearly just by single sentence.It requires some basic professional knowledges.Well, to gain those knowledges is not that difficult.SO you do NOT need those professional puppy trainer and you do NOT need some 12–week puppy obedience training plan where you do almost the same thing each week.Yourself can also become an excellent puppy trainer in several hours.So If you want to learn what it really takes to transform your puppy’s behavior problems,understand and communicate with your puppy now,you can visit the site listed below.It provide you with the most popular and easiest puppy training Guide.There is the easiest method to make your puppy to listen to you in the shortest period of time.

Here: http://www.dogstraining.info

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR PUPPY!!!

Answer 3

We Have 3 cats Indoor Cats Luther,Lola,And Lenny. We also have 2 dogs that we raised around our cats and we regularly foster dogs and puppys.
I have found that if you have a room the cats can retreat to by isolating this room or a section of your home with a simple baby gate helps alot any cat can get over it when they feel insecure ,but dogs cant follow them.Try to gradualy bring the cat into the area where the pup is a little at a time. don't try to rush things.
If the pup is focused on the cat too much distract it by calling it to you in a very happy voice.When it comes to you reward it with a treat and plenty of praise.The pup will realize you are more interesting than the cat.My 139lb Rottweiler "Mr.Budah" actualy will share his dogfood with Lenny the cat.He shows no sign of agression they just take turns having a bite.
If you have any problems I would suggest you contact a profesional dog trainer.

Answer 4

Crate training is the best way to go for potty training. There are lots of websites that show how to do this for free.....basically puppy goes in when you are not at home. Dogs don't like to go where they sleep. Take it out every couple of hours when you are home and after he eats and drinks. Establish a schedule. Take him outside to the same place so he establishes a routine. Don't worry about the cats, they will work it out between themselves eventually.

Answer 5

They have a puppy scent on the market, you put a few drops on the newspaper until he goes regularly on it , then move it outside. worked great for my indoor pups.
Also, the sooner the better to mingle in with the other pets. Don't ever let one flee and the other chase if you can stop that it shouldn't be too dificult. Hold BOTH calmly as frequently as you can petting each etc. in calming manner.
The three most important things in animal training to remember is ; 1.) Be consistant!!
2.) YOU are the boss
3.)Be consistant!!!!!!

Answer 6

The cats will be pissed for a while the puppy will want to play with the cats the cats may hiss and scratch the puppy and eventually they will all learn to get along or ignore each other .My dog didn't like it when my husband brought home a kitten one day. the kitty wanted to snuggle with him but he was 10 yrs old and didn't like cats.He'd growl and turn away or get up and move but he never hurt her or any other cat. Yours will be fine just let them work it out themselves they are just like kids and have to learn to get along

Answer 7

i just got me a new pup and i too have 2 cats but i don't worry to much since the dogs and cats will work it out them self just make sure you correct your pup if he is to hard on the cats tell him no if he bites them
just make sure that he knows that you and your family members are the boss OK and with the house training there are so many ways you can do that i rub there noses in it wen they did there business in the house i know a lot of people don't like that but i say what ever works

Answer 8

There is so much advice for a new puppy owner that it is amazing. I found a great site that had more than enough information and their tips really worked with my pup.
It's www.so-easy-dog-training.com
Good Luck

Answer 9

My best advice with the cats is to let the puppy and the cats work it out for themselves. Of course you will have to pay closer attention at first, but basically they will put each other in check.

Answer 10

When I brought 5 mos old Bubba home as a 6 wk old pup...Baby my 4yr old calico was really mad, and to this day can't stand her, but Oscar my 1 yr old black cat just loves her they chase each other and play all the time I even find them sleeping together. I guess it really depends on the personalities of the two animals. BTW: Baby couldn't stand Oscar either...lol