Puppy potty training regression can be a frustrating experience for both you and your puppy. Between the excitement of the new process and the natural tendency of puppies to want to use the same spot to relieve themselves, accidents can happen.
Dogs naturally go through stages of potty training, so don’t be surprised if your pup starts to regress at some point. The good news is that regression doesn’t have to mean a return to diapers.
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If you have successfully potty trained your puppy, then congratulations! However, if you find that your puppy is suddenly starting to regress in his potty training skills, don’t panic.
There are a few things that you can do to help ensure that your puppy continues to learn and master this important life skill.
What Is Puppy Potty Training Regression?
Puppy potty training regression is when your puppy starts to have accidents again after you have successfully trained them to use the potty.
This might be because something happened that caused him to forget how to do it, or he might just be getting back to his normal habits.
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If this happens, it’s important to keep training sessions short and re-focus on the goal of potty training by rewarding your puppy when they go outside.
This can be due to a number of reasons, including changes in the dog’s environment or personality.
In most cases, puppy potty training regression can be corrected by working harder to ensure that the dog is using the potty regularly.
Sniffing For Signs of Puppy Potty Training Regression
When a dog starts to sniff around more and more for signs that they need to go potty, this is usually a sign that they are beginning to regress in their potty training. A dog might start to sniff around more because they are trying to figure out where their Potty Place is, or they may be trying to figure out if someone else has already used the bathroom.
For example, your dog may start marking all over the house again, or he might start peeing in odd places. If this is happening, you might need to work on retraining your dog again.
When Your Dog keeps doing their potty in the Same Spots
Your dog is probably trying to tell you that they need to go potty. Sometimes, when we’re feeling really busy, it’s hard to remember to go potty. So, your dog is probably saying “I need to go potty, can you please remind me?” Sometimes, when we’re feeling really tired, it’s hard to get up and go potty.
When you’re Dog Causes Accidents Overnight
When a dog goes to the bathroom outside, it can sometimes cause accidents in the middle of the night. This is called “overnight potty training.” Sometimes it is hard for a dog to learn how to go to the bathroom in a litter box and when it does have an accident, it might not feel comfortable going again. Overnight potty training helps teach a dog how to use the bathroom correctly and make sure there are no accidents in the middle of the night.
What to do with Puppy Potty Training Regression?
When your puppy’s potty training is progressing nicely, but you start seeing regression (going back to using the litter box where they used to pee and poop), the best thing to do is to go back to the basics. This means starting with simple steps and working your way up.
For example, if your pup was using a pad outside, try putting them on one inside first. If they were going outside, start by putting them on a pad inside and then gradually move them outside.
Here are some steps that need to be followed
- The first rule is never to yell at your puppy for an accident.
- Do not push their face into it or scare them. This will make your puppy get scared and therefore less likely to hear in the future.
- Clean up any mess with products designed to eliminate pet odors — if their scent persists, they could be at risk there.
- When you notice danger, bring your puppy’s attention to it and take them out immediately. If it is feces, take it out with you and place it where they will go to the party to help remind them of an acceptable place.
- Establish frequent breaks to avoid accidents and work to extend the time between breaks as the number of accidents decreases.
Some problems can be easily corrected, while others may require a little more time and patience.
In conclusion, it is important to remember that Puppy Potty Training Regression Causes and Remedies are often due to multiple factors. With patience and consistency, most regressions can be corrected. However, if the problem persists or worsens, it may be necessary to seek outside help.