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Toilet Training Your Puppy - How to Paper Train

By: Thomas Parker

Paper training is basically how to train a puppy which will be indoors to eliminate solely on newspaper. The newspaper is easily able to be collected and disposed of when used, is absorbent, cheap and readily available and is placed in a place you select.
Of the different puppy training techniques this is the best choice for people who live in an apartment building and have no yard or for those who can't get outdoors such as the ailing or elderly. Big dogs can produce too much waste to cope with so this technique is best suited for smaller to medium dogs.
As a general rule puppies under 7 weeks have not developed adequate self-control to allow the conditioning to be effective so it is best to start at 7 or 8 weeks. Begin as soon as you bring the puppy back home and establish a set meal schedule for example 8am, 1pm and 7pm. Generally puppies will take about 8 to 12 weeks however if yours is taking more time just be persistent - they will learn!
Here is how to train a puppy using the Paper Training method.
Select an area or room of your home you would like to establish as puppy's elimination area. A part of the kitchen or laundry is often a good site as these rooms usually have lino flooring that is easily cleaned. Carpeted areas are a poor choice!
In the selected region spread the newspaper in a thick layer over the entire floor. If it is a room with little traffic then cover the entire floor. Make the spread of newspaper pretty large if you chosen to use just an area of a room. To keep them on the paper you will have to confine the movement of them only to the newspapered area which you can do by erecting barriers.
You want your puppy to develop a powerful association between elimination and the paper so you want your puppy to eliminate solely on the paper. Initially they will go pretty much anywhere on the papered region and will begin to develop that connection. To do that it is essential for the initial 2 or 3 weeks that your puppy solely goes on the paper and it is a good plan to confine the puppy to the papered area unless puppy's sleeping, eating, being played with or being actively supervised. Actively supervised means 100% attention so that no mishaps with off paper elimination occur!
In this one respect all puppy training techniques are identical. Every time puppy eliminates where you would like them to, present a treat and plenty of praise to reinforce the training. Experts know how to train a puppy more efficiently with positive reinforcement and it can make any conditioning faster. Basically the rule is reward the proper behavior and overlook the incorrect behavior.
After two weeks you can check the development of the association by reducing the papered area of the floor although still keeping them confined as above. If the puppy has had enough time to get used to eliminating on the newspaper they will use the newspaper of their own accord. If puppy eliminates off paper simply enlarge the newspaper coverage and give them more time to develop the association.
You can continue to reduce the papered area and give greater access to the house when puppy is consistently eliminating on the paper. Just remember persistence is the key!

More Articles About Pets: http://www.paragonpets.com

Thomas Parker has created a number of sites to help new puppy owners with any issues. For a host of information and resources go to www.howtotrainapuppysite.com/

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