Due to the social nature of dogs it is important to encourage your puppy to feel comfortable when being left alone.
In order to set your puppy up for success then this should be introduced in a gradual way early on in your puppy’s life, this way it may simply become part of your daily routine.

(Please note that dogs should not be left for long periods on their own during the day)
Puppies are growing animals and whilst you may see the development that takes place on the outer parts of their bodies, deveolpment and growth is also happening on the inside. This includes the muscles controlling the bladder and bowel. Accidents are likely to happen, but with patience and consistency they are likely to soon accomplish it. Frequently taking your puppy outside even during unfavourable weather is key to achieving success.
Puppies will also need to be shown appropriate areas in which to toilet - they will not automatically know that toileting indoors is not acceptable for us.
- Take your puppy outside to the preferred location at regular intervals whilst they are learning to control their bladder and bowel. This should occur particularly after feeding, sleeping, playing and other periods of excitement!
- Using a lead each time you go outside enables you to guide them to the preferred area and also to immediately reward them for toileting as you are always nearby.
- Spotting signs that your puppy may be about to go to the toilet helps you to effectively lead them outside to the preferred area at the right time. Circling and sniffing are examples of early warning signs.
- When outside time and patience is required. Staying quiet helps to minimise distractions that may otherwise interrupt the toileting.
- In the event that they do not go at this time, they may be led back inside, with close observation as they are likely to need to go outside to toilet in the near future.
- Immediate reward and praise for toileting outside should occur every time a desired result occurs. Rewarding behaviour increases the likelihood of it occurring again in the future. Eventually simply the action of toileting serves as a reward to going to the toilet outside.
- Introducing a word which is paired with the action of toileting helps to serve as a cue in the future.
- Keeping doors to the garden closed creates a natural barrier. This may help your puppy to determine a distinction between ‘indoors’ and ‘outdoors’ (ie where is appropropriate to toilet).
- Punishment must be avoided. If they happen to go indoors, then you just have to keep absolutely quiet and once they have moved away, quietly clean up any mess. This should be done with an appropriate biological cleaning agent in order to remove all odour otherwise this may encourage further toileting in the same area.
It is a good idea to have some food that the puppy is already used to eating available. There is no need to vary the meals and we don't recommend the addition of things such as Cow or Goat's Milk, Weetabix, Chicken etc.
TOP TIP: The feeding guides on dog food are usually VERY generous. We would suggest that, as a rule-of-thumb, you feed about 10% LESS than the lower end of the feeding guide amount.
If you find your puppy is leaving food at the end of the meal - then you are probably feeding too much!

TOP TIP: If you have time you are welcome to pop into the waiting-room with your puppy. They can meet the team on reception and experience sitting down for a moment and being weighed on the scales - so that it becomes part of their routine.
The waiting-room is generally less busy around lunch-times and so this is an ideal time for you to visit.
TOP TIP: We also suggest that as your puppy is growing, that they come to our Nurse Clinics. These sessions mean that your puppy starts to become familiar with:
All of this helps you and your puppy to feel comfortable whenever you have to visit the practice, with a strong emphasis on a positive and relaxed experience with treats and toys etc. This can help to build confidence and reduce fearfulness. s
Bilton Veterinary Centre
259 BIlton Road
Rugby
Warwickshire CV22 7EQ
Tel: 01788 812650
email: enquiries@biltonvets.co.uk