This article was co-authored by Dominik Feichtner and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Dominik Feichtner is a Professional Dog Trainer and Behaviorist and the Owner of The Dog Behaviorist NYC out of New York, New York. With over eight years of experience working with dogs, Dominik specializes in general obedience, behavior modification, and puppy training. His commitment to a balanced, common-sense approach led to his recognition as one of the “Best Dog Trainers in Brooklyn” and one of the “Best Dog Trainers in NYC” by Pooch and Harmony in 2020.
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Worried that your pup isn’t pooping? Take a deep breath. The odds are this is just some normal constipation, and there are plenty of ways that you can encourage your pup to relieve themselves outside. Your puppy is extremely likely to be fine, and you’ll get used to their schedule in no time. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting your pup to poop.
This article is based on an interview with our professional dog trainer and behaviorist, Dominik Feichtner, owner of The Dog Behaviorist NYC. Check out the full interview here.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I get my puppy to use a puppy pad?Lauren NovackLauren Novack is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant at Behavior Vets NYC where she helps fearful, anxious, and aggressive pets and their owners. She has completed coursework for her MS in Applied Behavior Analysis at Hunter College. Lauren’s research explores the intersection between training practices and animal welfare. She currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Daily Paws and has appeared on Fox & Friends, Rachel Ray, and various news outlets with her dog Grayson.
Certified Dog Behavior ConsultantLike with regular potty training, you'll need to teach your pup to use the puppy pad. It won't realize right away that you intend for it to go potty there. Start by keeping track of your puppy's potty schedule. For instance, it'll likely need to potty in the morning. When you first start using a puppy pad, take your dog to the puppy pad at its normal bathroom time and encourage it to go. Then, praise your dog when it uses the puppy pad to reinforce the behavior. Additionally, monitor your dog throughout the day so it doesn't have an accident. If an accident happens, just clean it up with an enzymatic cleaner. Soon, your puppy will learn that the puppy pad is where they should go potty.
Video
Tips
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Puppies have a tendency to eat anything that even vaguely smells like food to them. This might include hair, children’s toys, garbage, or even kitty litter. All of this stuff can constipate a puppy, so don’t let them wander around without supervision.[11]Thanks
Warnings
- Never rub a dog’s nose in their poop if they have an accident inside. Not only is it cruel, it’s unproductive. Your dog won’t understand why you’re doing it, and they may develop anxiety about relieving themselves around you in the future—even if you’re outside.[12]Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about puppy training, check out our in-depth interview with Dominik Feichtner.
References
- ↑ https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/housetraining-puppies-dogs/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-pumpkin-help-with-dog-diarrhea/
- ↑ https://www.dogsnsw.org.au/media/2957/orphan-puppies-supplementary-feedingdec-2015.pdf
- ↑ https://network.bestfriends.org/proven-strategies/operations/medical-cleaning-care/puppy-care-101
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-potty-train-your-dog-or-puppy
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-constipation
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-often-should-my-dog-be-pooping/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-constipation
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/right-way-switch-dog-foods/