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Housetraining

House Training a Pug

Overview

One of the most important things that you will ever teach your Pug is house training. And, while it can be a bit challenging and you'll have to devote quite some time to this, if you follow these guidelines you are sure to find success. 
These tips will be applicable for both young puppies and adults of any age that need to re-learn the rules. 

The main goal will be to train your Pug that one certain area outside is the bathroom area. And, that when you are not home to take your Pug there, pee pads are used for bathroom needs. 

While the exact time needed for potty training varies depending on how often you are there to actually teach the lessons, expect for this to take about 3 months for your Pug to be fully trained. 

Also, plan for there to be little setbacks here and there as your Pug learns these important lessons. Above all else, do not give up. The Pug is a breed that aims to please. With proper prepping and patient guidance, your Pug can be a very well-trained dog. 

Step 1: Prepping 

No doubt, you want to get right into housebreaking your Pug; however, prepping is a vitally important step and is needed to ensure your Pug is set up for success. Certainly, while you are setting things up, bring your Pug outside as needed (details ahead). And, once you have everything in place, you'll find that house training is easy and accidents are few and far in between. Those that do happen will be nicely contained. 
1. Choose a designated bathroom area.
Your Pug should not just go to the bathroom somewhere outside. Pick on certain area that will be used. This should be away from family foot traffic (like outdoor barbecue areas) and easy to reach no matter what the weather. 
2. Choose a containment method. 

If your Pug is allowed to roam the house or even just an entire room (like the living room or family room) this will inevitably lead to puddles of pee and piles of poo all over the place. 

So, the goal is to keep your Pug in one spot any time that you cannot closely supervise. This means when you are busy cooking dinner, taking a nap, etc., and of course when you are away from home. 
The goal should also be that the area is very comfortable, with everything a Pug needs to be content: Quality bed, lots of fun toys, and food and water bowls. 
One of the best methods to create this sort of contained area is via an indoor canine playpen. These are square or circular heavy-duty plastic open-topped pens. Some have doors and these are recommended. 

A great one is the IRIS 4-Panel Pet Playpen with Door. This is 24 inches (61 cm) high and offers 8 square feet of space (perfect for a Pug puppy). It has a nice little door to easily get your Pug in and out, and the door can be left open when you're home and watching your pup and closed when you're away. 

What's nice about this is that as your Pug grows, you can add on panels to increase its size. And, it comes in 7 different colors, to blend in nicely with your home decor. 
If you're looking for something larger, the IRIS 8-Panel Pet Playpen with Door is really great. This is a bit taller at 34 inches (86 cm) and it's circular in shape, offering 21 square feet. Though it's roomier, it will still keep housebreaking accidents contained and serve the purpose of keeping your Pug in a comfortable spot while you work on training. 
No matter which option you choose to create this sort of defined area, it should be lined with pee pads. While a puppy will not automatically know that the pads should be used, they will be used by default. 

If you find that that your Pug doesn't use the pee pads, urine and feces end up near them instead of on them, or they are moved or chewed on, this can be addressed by using larger ones, using a method to keep them in place, or using alternatives like reusable pads or even real grass patches. 
3. Have a supervision method. 
Since your Pug will be in a contained area (see previous point #2) any time that you cannot closely oversee your pup, it's now time to choose a method of effective supervision when you are there to do so. The goal will be to have your Pug close enough that you'll be able to interrupt any attempts to pee or poo in the house.

It's important that you don't just assume you'll somehow do this. Puppies dart around quickly and Pugs of any age can move around a corner and leave you a nice little present in the blink of an eye. You'll want to avoid accidents like this since each one is a step in the wrong direction and a missed opportunity to instill house training lessons. 

One of the best ways to keep your Pug right near your side is the tethering method. Your Pug will be on leash and harness and you will have the other end connected to you. Please note that a harness must be used, not a collar. Brachycephalic breeds like the Pug should never be on leash and collar no matter what; it can constrict the trachea and cause breathing problems
Next, under point #4, you'll see details of what you'll need to tether your Pug while house training. 
4. Have two leashes and at least one harness. 
As mentioned above, you'll want a leash and harness combo for when you are supervising your Pug. You will also need these items for when you take your Pug outside for bathroom needs. There are several types of accessories that will be used for these purposes: 
1. A comfortable, properly fitting harness. This is for any time your Pug is on leash (indoor tethering to you or being taken outside). Unlike collars that put strain on the neck (and trachea) and is a big no-no for brachycephalic breeds, a harness distributes pressure over the much stronger back, shoulders, and chest. Puppia makes several great harnesses and one of the best ones is the Puppia Harness Soft B Vest Harness. This is super easy to place on (you just slip your Pug's front paws through the leg holes) and then there is an adjustable buckle and Velcro on the back to secure it. There is an o-ring right between the shoulder blades to connect the leash. 

This is padded for comfort and the material is a breathable air-mesh. It also comes in 13 different colors, so your Pug always looks stylish
2. A short soft-handled leash. This is the type of leash you'll want to use when you are with your Pug indoors and supervising him during house training. You'll want the leash to be short (about 6 feet) to keep your Pug close. And, the soft handle will allow you to either slip it over your wrist or secure it through a belt loop, which allows both of your hands to be free. A lightweight one like the PetSafe Nylon 3/8 x 6' Leash is just fine for this. 
3. A retractable leash. For when you take your Pug out to the designated bathroom area, it can be useful to have a retractable leash. And, these are great for taking walks as well. Being able to adjust the length at any time is a huge plus and helps you stay in control of your Pug. 

For this, the Triton Retractable Dog Leash is a good choice. It can extend out to 16 feet and even comes with a lifetime guarantee. 
5. Have effective training treats.

A big part of housebreaking is being able to let a puppy or dog know that they did something right by going to the bathroom in the designated area. This teaches them what is expected and offers motivation for doing that action again. 

Praise works to some degree; however, the fastest method is to combine praise with reward in the form of a training treat. 

There are a few elements to keep in mind: The treat should be something reserved for reward (not given as a snack at any rate), small (so it doesn't interfere with appetite), moist (which is often more appreciated over dry), and packed with flavor. 

You'll also want it to be up to the standards of any food that your give your Pug, meaning made in the USA, no chemical preservatives, no artificial additives, and no fillers like corn or soy. 
One good choice for this is Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Natural Training Treats; it meets all of the criteria. 
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.
Barking at night - Is it a bathroom need or a call for attention? 
One of the hardest elements - but one that you will soon conquer - is to learn your Pug's signals that there is a bathroom need.  One of the most challenging times to figure this out is at night when you are awakened by barking

If you are unsure, it's always best to bring your dog outside.  However, it will be important to make it very clear that this is a serious time. No playing, no talking and right back to bed afterward.

If you are quite certain that barking is due to attention seeking behavior and not for housebreaking reasons, as long as you are sure your Pug is safe and comfortable, all yelps and whines should be ignored. 
Constant bathroom needs: 
Puppies may need to pee every couple of hours and adult Pugs (depending on how much they drink and often often they eat) may need to head out 6 or more times per day. 

If you feel that your Pug needs to urinate much more then normal, this can point to a health issue with bladder infection and UTI being the most common. So, it's always best to check with the veterinarian.
Correcting vs punishment: 
Pugs are very sensitive and do not react well to being yelled at.  For housebreaking, that sort of reaction to accidents will not get you anywhere.  

Pugs tend to have their feelings hurt if not disciplined the right way and therefore rubbing  a dog's nose in poop or getting upset will not be beneficial to actually teaching what is expected. It is best to give tons of enthusiastic praise for deeds done right and forgive accidents. 
Did you find this to be helpful? For super-detailed instructions, including all possible housebreaking issues, territorial marking, submissive urination, and more, you may wish to check out PetPugDog's GIANT Book of Pug Care. It's a 380 page massive book that guides you through every aspect of your Pug's life. 
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