6. Choose the cue words.
Dogs always learn best when they can connect a word or phrase to an action. So, when you are potty training your Pug puppy, you will want to use one certain phrase each time you head outside for bathroom needs. You'll also use this phrase again to mark the moment that the deed was done and when you give reward (details ahead).
Common choices are 'do the deed', 'pitty-potty', 'bathroom', 'potty time', and 'get busy'. Choose whichever phase you like, but make sure that it's one you don't mind saying out loud in front of other people.
7. Arm yourself with an enzyme cleanser.
It's important to clean any accidents the right way. Urine and stools contain certain enzymes that soap and water do not remove. If these enzymes remain, they will produce a lingering odor. You may not smell anything, but your Pug (with exceptional canine senses) will indeed pick up the scent. It is a strong motivator to go to the bathroom in that area again.
To prevent this from happening, clean any accidents with soap and warm water, blot it dry, and then spray the area with a cleanser like
Simple Solution Enzyme Formula, allow it to stay there for 5 minutes, and then blot the area dry one last time.
To summarize your housebreaking prep:
You have a method of keeping your Pug in one area (like a playpen) that is lined with pee pads for any time that you are not closely monitoring things, you have a supervision method for when you are watching your pup, a designated bathroom area has been chosen, you have training treats to hand out for reward, you have a leash and harness for your Pug, you've chosen cue words, and you have an enzyme cleanser to deal with any accidents in the house.
You're now ready to fully house train your Pug.
Step 2: Taking Your Pug Out for Bathroom Needs
You will want to take your Pug to the designated area:- Right after your puppy or dog wakes up
- About 20 minutes after a meal
- Every so-many hours, depending on age. This is typically every 2 hours for a 2-month old, every 3 hours for a 3-month old, etc.
- Before each walk (allowing a dog to pee and poo along the walking route is a missed opportunity to teach house training rules)
- Before bed
- Any time that you are supervising your Pug and there is a motion to pee or poo
- Right when you get home (if you've been away)
As you can imagine, you'll be quite busy bringing your puppy outside many times each day. Fortunately, as a puppy matures, the bladder and bowel muscles become stronger and there is a gradual ability to hold bathroom needs for a longer duration. Still, an adult Pug will need to be brought out 4 to 6 times per day.
The exact steps are as follows:
1. Quickly bring your Pug to the exit door. If you must, carry him or her. It's okay if some urine dribbles; as long as your pup finishes urinating outside, consider it a 'win'.
2. As you are heading out, grab the training treats.
3. Also be saying the cue words out loud. Example: 'Let's go do the deed, do you have to go do the deed?'
3. Bring your Pug to the designated area and stand in the center of it.
4. With your Pug on leash and harness, allow them to sniff around and choose the perfect spot.
5. Plan to be patient. Some dogs can take up to 15 minutes, particularly if there's a need for a bowel movement. If your Pug pees, but you think he may need go number two, remain in the area.
6. As the deed is being done, offer praise, 'Good dog, you're doing the deed!'
7. The very moment that your Pug is done, offer both praise and reward, 'Good dog, you did the deed, good dog!' while offering the treat.
Step 3: Address Any Hiccups
For most Pugs, it won't be smooth sailing the entire time. Both of you need to work as a team. If you find that things are not going as planned, re-read the rules and see how closely you are following them. Ahead, we'll touch on some commonly seen house training issues and how to deal with them.
Going to the bathroom right after coming back in the house:
A very common complaint by owners is that their
Pug is peeing in the house
soon after being brought back into the home. It can seem as if a pup is doing this on purpose, as if the dog is mocking the training system.
But the answer is far more logical than that. In most cases this is because the owner did not have the patience to wait outside while the puppy chose the perfect spot and the body relaxed enough (for urination) or the muscles had time to push out a bowel movement.
After the body relaxed or the bowel muscled readied, the pup was brought back in and of course, went to the bathroom where he or she was at the time: in the house.
Stay outside for at least 15 minutes while your Pug is learning his or her housebreaking rules. This can seem like a very long time while standing there and waiting for a dog to go to the bathroom. For this reason, it can help to set up an outside chair, bring a book or take the time to check emails and messages.