How to Potty Train a Bull Terrier Puppy
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Introduction
If you were to try and use one word to describe the Bull Terrier, it just wouldn't be possible. These amazingly playful, fun-loving, comical, and sweet-natured dogs make the consummate family pet. Getting potty training down will help ensure you enjoy those puppy days to the fullest!
Keep in mind that the earlier you start potty training your Bull Terrier pup the better. Also, worth noting, is that until your pup is a few months old, you are the one who is going to have to make all the decisions for your pup, including when to go outside to go potty.
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Defining Tasks
There is only one goal for this type of training, that is to teach your pup that the only place it is acceptable for him to pee or poop is a designated spot in your yard. If you start working at an early age, keep in mind your pup's ability to learn and retain information is increasing exponentially. This can make it just a little harder for him to be potty trained at first, but by the time he is six months of age, he should have mastered this skill.
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Getting Started
As for supplies, there really isn't much you need, depending on the training method you plan to use. The most important things you will need are the time to spend working with your dog all day long until he is trained, and plenty of patience. However, there are a few things you might find come in handy along the way. These include:
- A crate – For certain
training methods and a place for your pup when you can't be there.
- Treats – They
make a good way to reward your pup when he gets things right.
- Leash – You will
need this to take him out to his "spot" to go potty.
The most important thing to remember is that you need to be consistent. The only way your pup is going to learn to go potty and to let you know when he needs to go out is to be consistent in your efforts throughout the training process and from that point on.
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The On the Leash Method
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The right location
Take a good look at your yard and choose the spot for your pup's bathroom carefully. You don't want it to be too far from the door as your pup may not be able to hold it. At the same time, you don't want it so close any odors float in your windows. It also helps your pup associate this spot with going potty.
Time to go "outside"
Choose your cue word like "Outside" or "Potty" and tell your pup "let's go outside/potty" while you are hooking his leash up to his collar. Then take him out to his spot in the yard and stay there until your pup "goes."
What a good boy
As soon as your pup finishes going potty, praise him to let him know he has done a good thing and give him a treat.
Create a routine
Set up a routine for potty breaks starting at every 30 minutes and slowly extending the time as your pup grows. Be sure to also take him out after meals, drinks, playtime, naps, and, of course, first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Setting up a routine will help him master this vital skill more quickly.
Repetition builds confidence
The rest is all about spending time working with your pup over the next few months until he comes to you to let you know he needs to go potty. When you have reached this point, your pup is potty trained.
The On the Clock Method
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Pick up a time
Use a kitchen timer or the one on your cell phone to help remind you when to take your pup out. Keep in mind, he needs to also be taken out after meals, after play, after naps, and after he wakes up in the morning. When you take him out and he goes potty, be sure to praise him and give him a treat.
Add to the delay
For the first few weeks, you should set the timer to remind you to take him out every 30 minutes. As he starts holding for this long, start bumping the time up in 30-minute increments. Stop at 2 hours until your pup is at least one year of age.
Each time
Each time you take him out and he goes potty, be sure to praise him and give him a treat.
Keep watching him
Just because he is starting to go potty outside, this doesn't mean you can stop watching him. In fact, you need to be even more diligent. Anytime you see him making any kind of motion that indicates he is thinking about going potty in the house, clip him on his leash, use your cue word, and take him to his spot in the yards. Be sure to praise him and give him a treat.
What if he has an accident?
What if he does? Poop occurs and so do accidents. If you catch him in the act, you can say "No" and take him outside immediately. If you don't catch him in the act, all you can do is clean up the mess and stick to your schedule. It is going to take some time for your pup to master this skill, be patient, it will happen.
The Smells Like Pee Method
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It all starts with a schedule
Start out by establishing a schedule for taking your pup outside. In the beginning, it should be every half hour. When your pup gets a little older, you should be able to extend this time to an hour and longer. Use a kitchen timer to help remind you.
X marks the spot
Using a bottle of readily available potty training spray, mark the area of your lawn where you want your pup to go potty.
To the spot
Hook your pup on his leash and using your cue word, take him outside to the area you previously marked. The spray should help convince your pup to go potty, so be patient. If he hasn't gone in 15 minutes, take him into the house and wait for a few minutes, keeping a close eye on him.
Times to take him out right away
There are several times when you must take your pup outside immediately. These include first thing in the morning, after a meal, after drinking a lot of water, after a healthy playtime, and last thing at night. By sticking to a routine, you will make it much easier for your pup to learn if you stick to a routine.
Carry on
Keep working with these training steps until you no longer have puddles and landmines to avoid in the dark.
Written by PB Getz
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/19/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Archie
English bull terrier
8 Weeks
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Constantly biting n chewing peeing n pooping
June 5, 2022
Archie's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Tony, First, know that all of that is normal at that age. Check out these resources for how to train pup in those areas. Biting - leave it or bite inhibition method. I would start teaching Leave It, but also work on the Bite Inhibition method because the Bite Inhibition method can be used right away, whereas Leave It takes time to teach - but ultimately leave it will be super important once older. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Potty training - Crate Training, Tethering method, or a combination depending on whether you are home or away or asleep: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Chewing: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-not-to-chew/ Finally, bellow I have linked where you can download a free PDF E-book called After You Get Your Puppy, which talks about those topics, socialization, and general puppy raising. www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
June 6, 2022
jasper
Bull Terrier
2 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
hello i'm melanie and i my pup is officially 2 months. he is very sweet and playful but i do want to know how i can stop puppy biting, i've tired different methods but he has alot of energy. i would also like to teach him basic skills thank you.
June 16, 2021
jasper's Owner
Alisha Smith - Alisha S., Dog Trainer
253 Dog owners recommended
Hello! I am going to send you information on the nipping/biting. Nipping: Puppies or older dogs may nip for a number of reasons. Nipping can be a means of energy release, getting attention, interacting and exploring their environment or it could be a habit that helps with teething. Whatever the cause, nipping can still be painful for the receiver, and it’s an action that pet parents want to curb. Some ways to stop biting before it becomes a real problem include: Using teething toys. Distracting with and redirecting your dog’s biting to safe and durable chew toys is one way to keep them from focusing their mouthy energies to an approved location and teach them what biting habits are acceptable. Making sure your dog is getting the proper amount of exercise. Exercise is huge. Different dogs have different exercise needs based on their breed and size, so check with your veterinarian to make sure that yours is getting the exercise they need. Dogs—and especially puppies—use their playtime to get out extra energy. With too much pent-up energy, your pup may resort to play biting. Having them expel their energy in positive ways - including both physical and mental exercise - will help mitigate extra nips. Being consistent. Training your dog takes patience, practice and consistency. With the right training techniques and commitment, your dog will learn what is preferred behavior. While sometimes it may be easier to let a little nipping activity go, be sure to remain consistent in your cues and redirection. That way, boundaries are clear to your dog. Using positive reinforcement. To establish preferred behaviors, use positive reinforcement when your dog exhibits the correct behavior. For instance, praise and treat your puppy when they listen to your cue to stop unwanted biting as well as when they choose an appropriate teething toy on their own. Saying “Ouch!” The next time your puppy becomes too exuberant and nips you, say “OUCH!” in a very shocked tone and immediately stop playing with them. Your puppy should learn - just as they did with their littermates - that their form of play has become unwanted. When they stop, ensure that you follow up with positive reinforcement by offering praise, treat and/or resuming play. Letting every interaction with your puppy be a learning opportunity. While there are moments of dedicated training time, every interaction with your dog can be used as a potential teaching moment.
June 16, 2021