Introduction
Teddy bear dogs are charming, cuddly pups that have become increasingly popular among pet owners. This breed of dog is a mix of Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu, and they typically look like a small teddy bear with their fluffy hair and button eyes. While these little guys are absolutely adorable, people often wonder if they are difficult to potty train. In this post, we will discuss the challenges that may come with potty training a teddy bear dog as well as provide some tips for making the process smoother.
Defining Potty Training
Potty training is the process of teaching a dog where to eliminate in an appropriate manner. It teaches your pet to recognize and use certain areas of the home/yard as their designated “toilet” and helps to reduce mess, odors, and prevent accidents throughout the house. For successful potty training, consistency is key. Once boundaries are set for where the dog can relieve himself it’s important to remain consistent and stick with the program.
Teddy bear dogs are considered relatively easy to potty train due to their intelligent and eager-to-please nature; however all dogs respond differently so consistency and repetition will be needed for any pooch – no matter its breed or size. As long as you follow a routine, take your pet outside every few hours (especially after meals), reward positive behavior with treats or affection, and remain firm about not allowing “mistakes” inside – your pup should have success learning proper elimination habits in no time!
Differences in Types of Teddy Bear Dogs
There are a few different types of Teddy Bear dogs, also known as Hybrid, or Designer Dogs. These include the teddy bear breeds that are perfect family pets such as: Pomeranians, American Eskimos, Bichon Frises and Maltese.
Pomeranians are a small breed but pack a lot of personality. They generally have outgoing personalities and tend to be very trainable when it comes to potty training. Since they are so small they can be more docile and take up less space than other breeds which makes them an easy fit in any home.
American Eskimos are a hybrid breed made up of both spitz heritage and herding dogs. This active breed is lively and need a good amount of exercise in order to stay healthy in temperamental differences. Typically these little guys would rather play outside instead of being inside all day; so if you don’t have time for them there can be issues with potty training due to their high energy levels.
Bichon Frises are long-haired small fluffy lapdogs. Notorious for their gentle and easy-going personalities, they make great house pets yet come with some challenges when it comes to potty training them since these tiny guys have no qualms about getting dirty! A combination of patience, consistency, positive reinforcement and timely correction should help get them on track right away though!
Malteses are loyal companion dogs which means they thrive off human attention and want to please their owners above all else; this is great when it comes to potty training because they will want to do their best at all times in order to stay in your good graces! With tons of patience, positive reinforcement through treats/praise, strict boundaries that must be adhered to each time – potential mishaps should not occur often with this sweet breed.
Training Styles
When it comes to potty training teddy bear dogs, there are various training styles. Generally speaking, one should start with crate training. This method involves providing a designated area for the pup to stay in while they are not in your direct supervision at all times; usually a kennel or crate. The key to this method is that it limits their space and requires them to use their designated potty area (usually outdoors) as they learn bladder control.
The second form of potty training is positive reinforcement training. This method entails praising and rewarding the pup every time they eliminate outside. Repeat the same phrase each time, such as “good boy/girl” and provide them with treats or affection after successful elimination. Eventually, the pup will know exactly what behavior you want them exhibiting when it comes to pottying outside rather than inside of your home!
Lastly, avoiding punishment is paramount in teddy bear dog potty training success – punishing them for having accidents inside can instill fear and make your pup fearful of using the bathroom indoors under any circumstance even if properly trained otherwise. Never scold or hit them for accidental bathroom accidents during their early learning stages as this behavior can be detrimental to the success of pottying outside versus inside. Instead, clean up promptly and ensure that the pup’s area remains smelling nice by frequently changing their bedding material and laundering any towels you may use as needed!
Common Potty Training Issues
Potty training teddy bear dogs can be a tricky endeavor, as it is with any puppy. The key to ensuring success is being consistent and organised with your house training methods. Consistency includes always taking the puppy out to the same spot each time they need to go. Owners should also plan ahead for their puppy’s needs, making sure there are frequent potty breaks during the day, especially after meals or drinks of water.
Rewards are very important in potty training any dog and teddy bear dogs need this positive reinforcement too. Letting them know when they’ve done something good by greeting them with happy words and treats will help encourage them to use the appropriate spot for their bathroom needs indoors. Create a set routine so your puppy knows what’s expected of them and reward accordingly each time they do well!
Unfamiliar environments can also be a problem for some puppies old enough to be house trained. When in new places or when around visitors, puppies may forget or become unsure of proper house training manners — the key here is patience and not punishing the pup if they have an accident indoors. Instead try getting them outside as soon as possible where you can remind them of their bathroom routine in a calm but firm manner.
Even though potty training teddy bear dogs may seem like an extra challenge due to their small size, it doesn’t have to be hard if approached with education, consistency and positive reinforcement!
Additional Considerations
In general, teddy bear dogs may not be more difficult to potty train than any other type of dog, but there are some things that owners should keep in mind to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Diet is an important factor when it comes to potty training a teddy bear dog. Make sure the dog has a high-quality diet with plenty of water and fiber that’s appropriate for its age and size, as this will help regulate their digestion and reduce clashes.
Exercise is key for potty training success. Teddy bear dogs need regular opportunities for physical activity, both indoors and outside. This reduces boredom and encourages them to let you know when they need a toilet break because they don’t want to miss out on the fun activity they enjoy doing with you. Socialization is also critical when it comes to training teddy bear puppies, especially if you live in an urban area or share your house with other family pets. Taking the time to introduce your puppy gradually to people and animals outside of the home will help them navigate these environments more confidently in the future, making it easier for them to wait until they find an appropriate location in which to do their business.
Conclusion
Potty training any dog is an important part of responsible pet ownership and should not be taken lightly. This is especially true if you own a teddy bear dog, as these specific breeds require time and patience due to their usually laid-back nature. Training a teddy bear dog can be done successfully but requires the dedication of a responsible owner and treats for rewards when the pup does something correctly. To make the process successful, there are some key takeaways to remember:
1. Have realistic expectations and remain consistent with rules;
2. Schedule regular potty breaks, including outings outside before bedtime and after meal times;
3. Implement additional routine behaviors, such as leash walks, toy playtime and grooming;
4. Reaffirm positive behavior by giving rewards when appropriate;
5. Utilize techniques such as crate training as well as confinement in other areas of the house or backyard;
6. Be patient – potty training may take three weeks or longer depending on the individual’s learning capabilities;
7. Familiarize yourself with sounds associated with signaling when your pup needs to go outside;
8. Seek professional help if needed, such as from a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
By committing to these steps, teddy bear dogs can successfully be potty trained and brought into your loving home in no time!
Welcome to the blog! I am a professional dog trainer and have been working with dogs for many years. In this blog, I will be discussing various topics related to dog training, including tips, tricks, and advice. I hope you find this information helpful and informative. Thanks for reading!
