How to Potty Train a Beagle Puppy

Hello Aspen, The grass eating can be due to a dietary deficiency, parasites, digestive upset, boredom, or some dogs simply enjoy eating it without any medical or behavioral reason. Because she is eating poop I would look into a possible deficiency, allergy, or parasite - especially parasites (I am not a vet). If she is otherwise healthy she might be doing is simply because she likes the taste and finds it fun. If it causes her any issues, interrupt the behavior. Poop eating can be caused by many of the same things as grass eating: Parasites or a dietary deficiency. I suggest speaking to your vet about possible parasites if you haven't addressed that recently since many puppies need to be de-wormed multiple times and she also may have contracted something from eating another animal's poop initially (I am not a vet though so depend on your vet's advice in this area). If she is otherwise healthy, then many dogs, especially puppies, will eat poop simply because they find it fun. You can feed pup a little canned pumpkin to make their poops less desirable but the most important thing you can do is to pick up the poop right away and interrupt any attempts to eat it, saying something like "Ah Ah" calmly but a bit firmly while clapping your hands twice. When there isn't a medical cause, many puppies will outgrow the behavior if you keep poop picked up and interrupt any attempts to eat it. The crying is also normal. How long have you had puppy? Crying for up to one month into crate training can be normal. Most puppies will adjust after that amount of time. If it goes on longer than that, you will need to address it in another way. First, give pup a food stuffed chew toy to chew on while in the crate - this helps with boredom and teaches self-soothing. When you are home and pup is in the crate, while pup is being quiet in the crate (only during the day - don't wake pup up at night), go to pup and sprinkle a few pieces of puppy food into the crate through the wires calmly, then walk away again without letting pup out. Repeat this periodically while pup is quiet - you are rewarding pup for calm, quiet behavior in the crate and teaching her that that's the best way to get you to return. When you let pup out of the crate, use the crate manners exercise below. Also practice this protocol at other times when you are home to teach a calmer association with the crate: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-the-crate/ A Place command is also a good exercise for teaching calmness - work up to pup being able to stay on place for 30 minutes now, and 1 hour as an adult, while you walk in and out of the room - so pup can't see you or follow you. You want to build some self-control, calmness, and independence from you in pup: Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Next, if the barking is still continuing, pretend to leave or go into another room while pup is in the crate. Each time pup starts crying, return to the crate and spray a small puff of air from a Pet Convincer through the crate's wires at pup's side to interrupt the barking (only use unscented air - not citronella, and don't spray in the face, only at their side). You can spy on them from a camera like a tablet and phone with Skype from outside your home if you can't hear them while out there. When pup stays quiet for a few minutes, return, sprinkle treats without letting them out, then pretend to work on something else for a bit. Practice going inside and back outside, correcting the barking, rewarding the quiet, and ignoring. After 10-30 minutes of training per session, open the door the crate using the Crate Manners protocol from the video linked above, so that pup has to exit calmly. Ignore pup for ten minutes after you get home and keep good byes super boring and calm - don't act sorry for pup or excited - you want leaving and coming home to be boring and not emotionally charged for pup. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Dr. Gautam, Check out the article linked below. You may need to use the Crate Training method. You can also try the Exercise Pen method - if you do so, cover the entire floor of the exercise pen with the pads at first. After rewarding pup a few times for pottying on the pads, decrease the number of pads, and continue to reward pup for pottying in the right place. Only set up the exercise pen on hard floor, like linoleum or hardwood floors - not carpeting If you plan to teach pup to go potty outside later, or pup still seems confused, try switching to a disposable real grass pad instead of pee pad - since pee pads are made out of fabric some dogs have an easier time with grass pads - which are more noticeably different than other things made out of fabric, and more consistent with learning to potty outside. Exercise Pen and Crate Training methods; https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy Disposable Real Grass Pad brands - also on Amazon: www.freshpatch.com www.doggielawn.com www.porchpotty.com Finally, the indoor potty training article I have linked above mentions litter box training - but the steps are the same for pee pad and grass pad training if you simply substitute the litter box for one of those pad types instead. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hi there! I am going to get you started with some basic potty training tips, and ideas to keep your puppy from going in the house if you aren't able to keep an eye on him. When potty training a puppy, it is important to understand both what you can do to help train them, as well as what they are able to do. Just as you cannot expect a 3-month-old baby to walk or use the toilet, you also cannot expect a young puppy to be housebroken. One thing to keep in mind is that dogs can typically hold their bladders for as many hours, as they are months old. So he should be able to hold his bladder 3-4 hours after his last drink of water. Also, dogs typically have to go #2 within about 20 minutes after eating food. This includes treats! Here are 5 tips on how to properly potty train your puppy: Know Your Pup. As you spend time with your puppy, learn your puppy’s love language. Just as some people prefer gifts, touch, or time spent together, puppies can be the same way. Some puppies love praise or pets, while others prefer treats. As you get to know your puppy, consider what reward your puppy loves the most. Create a Daily Schedule. It is best to have a routine for your puppy. A schedule helps them understand when to eat, play, and “go to the bathroom.” Your puppy should go out frequently and the routine should be the same every time. When? Start the day by taking your puppy outside, and repeating based on age and ability. They should also go out after napping, chewing, playing, and within 10 to 15 minutes of eating. Although some puppies can sleep for seven hours, it is important to set an alarm and take your pup out during the night. When you do, don’t make a fuss about it. Quietly take them outside with minimal stimulation and light. Praise them if they go to the bathroom and gently return them to their bed or crate. You don’t want them to get stimulated and ready to play in the middle of the night! As you get to know your puppy, you will become aware of their individual habits. Click here to learn more about house training schedules for puppies. Where? Take your puppy to a specific area to urinate or defecate. Be consistent. You can create an area by using urine-soaked paper or bowel movements to help create an aroma to stimulate your puppy. How? Take your puppy out on a leash so they can focus on the desired activity. This will help prevent them from wandering off to play. Once your puppy is in the selected area, use your verbal cue, such as “Hurry Up,” “Poopies,” “Go tinkle,” or any phrase your puppy responds to. What? Know the signs that your puppy has to go to the bathroom. Every animal may have a different “I gotta go” gesture, which often include restlessness, sniffing around, circling, scratching at the door, barking, and, eventually, squatting. At the first sign that your pup has to go, calmly and quickly take them outside to their bathroom spot. Deal with Accidents. Accidents are a normal part of house training a puppy. What to Do If you see your puppy in the process of urinating or defecating inappropriately, calmly and quickly interrupt them in the act. Tell them to stop (either by a jarring sound or command), and immediately take them to an appropriate location for elimination. After your puppy goes to the bathroom, lavishly praise them and offer a treat. Thoroughly clean up accidents, so your puppy is not attracted to this area again. Create a consistent feeding and watering schedule. Depending on the age of your puppy, they will eat three to four times a day. A consistent feeding routine can create a regular bathroom schedule. Take away water about 2 hours before bedtime. Learn more about ideal dog schedules here. What NOT to Do Don’t punish your puppy when they have an accident. At that point, it is too late. When a puppy has an accident in the house and they walk away, within seconds they have already forgotten about what they did. Taking them to the scene of the crime and yelling and/or rubbing their nose in it does not help and, in fact, can harm your puppy! Supervise. The best thing you can do is to prevent accidents and the best way to do this is to supervise your puppy at all times. You can tether your puppy to your waist with a five or six-foot leash and carefully observe them for signs that they need to go to the bathroom. If you can’t supervise, then crate or confine your puppy. The more accidents your puppy has in the house, the more confusing it will be for them and this can delay house training. Reward, Reward, Reward. It is important to give your puppy a reward for their good behavior. This can be for commands such as sitting and coming to you, or for appropriately eliminating outside. In a puppy, a reward can be a couple kibbles of puppy food or a treat, such as a small piece of meat. The treat should be exciting for them and only available as a result of good behavior. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for writing in!