Toilet Training
You will need to start training as soon as you bring your Border Terrier home, they can be a very clever breed and will soon train you if you allow them to.
Toilet training can tough but stick with it. A puppy will need to go to the toilet as soon as they wake, straight after they have eaten and after they have been playing and at regular intervals in between. If you catch your puppy about to 'go', say a stern 'no' and pick them straight up and put them outside. As they go say for example 'have a poo', 'have a wee' according to what they are doing with lots of praise to reinforce that they are going in the right place at the right time. |
It's not a good idea to say for example 'good dog' as they go as they may associate this phrase with going to the toilet in any situation!
Ignore any accidents inside and ensure the area is cleaned thoroughly with a good disinfectant to remove as much of the scent they have left behind as possible. Continually reinforce any good behaviours and especially any signs they are indicating they want to go out to do their business. Make sure all the family are following the same routine and your puppy will soon understand. A good routine in general will help your puppy settle in, you'll find a Border Terrier is a creature of habit and is the happiest in a routine. If your Border Terrier has been left home alone a little longer than they are used to you may arrive |
home to an accident, take your dog straight outside and praise when they go but do not shout, scold or hit, just ignore the incorrect behaviour. As you dog gets older they will learn to hold themselves and may not go all day if it is raining!
Toilet training in the garden will also be a good time to start getting your dog used to being on a lead until all vaccinations have been carried out. As with all training repetition is the key to reinforce good behaviour, stay patient and accept there will be accidents along the way, it will be worth all the hard work. |