NOT IN THE HOUSE!! Tips and tricks for housebreaking your new puppy.

There is nothing quiet like the excitement of bringing home your new puppy. You have been waiting weeks, maybe even months or years. The lucky new fluffer has a box of toys and a new puppy bed ready for them.  Then the glorious day arrives and you are quickly reminded of that joy or joys of new puppy parents - they pee! All the time! Everywhere!

Here are some tried and true tips and tricks for your newest four legged piddle machine!

1. Routines are your friends!  Feed at the same time every day. Monitor when your pup drinks water. They usually go potty about 15 minutes after they eat or drink. 

2. Be Aware!  Puppies need to go potty when they awake from a nap. 15 minutes after they've eaten or right after a play spell.

3. Pee breaks are not walks!  When you take your puppy outside to go potty, always 

go to the same place and wait. Don't walk around and wait for them to pee. Puppies see the walk as a reward, and will sometimes hold their bladder to keep walking. Instead wait for them to pee before having a wonderful bonding walk.

4. Clean, clean, CLEAN! Dogs know where to potty by using the same place as the pack. So make sure you really clean those oops in the house. Any scent markers left behind invite repeat visits.

5. Kennels make your life easier!  Your puppy will try and avoid using the bathroom in a kennel where they sleep. Use this to your advantage. When its time to potty, go out and wait. If the pup doesn't come in and go right to the kennel. Wait about 15 minutes and try again. When your puppy potties outside, he gets to come in and play!

6. GOOD DOG!  Whenever puppy potties outside  shower with praise, or treat with high reward treats.

7. NOT Bad dog! Do not punish your dog for slip ups. They do not learn from it or understand they did wrong. This will only make them hide to eliminate in your homes.

8. Consistency!  Keep it up, and maintain the habits of each day.

I hope these tips and tricks helped you and your newest addition. Please share your own tips and tricks below and let me know how old your dog was when they were fully house trained.
~ The Den Mother

A hello from the Den Mother

Hello everyone, 
You can call me the den mother, because that tends to be my roll in life. I am a 29 year old dog mom, horse mom, iguana mom, ... oh yeah, and a few humans too.  I started a Pack of Our Own with one of the other blogger dog moms on this group because we were both devastated at the cost of fully trained service animals, and wanted to help provide and alternative approach while providing support and education to self training service dog teams.

 Now for the introductions! (and a shameless brag of how cute my pack of fluffers are!)

The Mighty Athena 

My first Service Dog who survived a poisoning like the warrior she is, but she sustained long term damage to her kidney and liver and because of that she is looking at early retirement.

The Gentle Lenore

My AKC German Shepherd, who was bought as a prospect but didn't have the right polish to be a service dog. She remains a loving and important member of our pack.

The Tenacious Nova

This precious little one has had quiet the rough start in the world at only 5 weeks old. I plan on doing a  complete blog entry on the rescue of she and her litter mate, Kaylee. While the most important part of bringing home these 2 sisters was saving them, we hope that she will be a good prospect for my new service dog.

I look forward to getting to know you and helping you along the way. If you have a specific need you want addressed or a question you want answered - please be sure and comment for our weekly Q & A!

Happy Tails!
- The Den Mother