Surviving Potty Training Your Puppy in the Winter

What is the secret to housebreaking puppies in the Winter? Though there are some precautions to take due to cold weather, there is not a great deal of difference between housebreaking your dog in the winter and any other time of the year. My wife and I have housebroken our dogs during the winter--and I'm talking about harsh Iowa winters, and we had no problems.

There really is not a great deal to worry about. However, if you live in an extreme weather environment, then yes, you do have make allowances. You must be sure to pay attention to a few, very important common sense points.

First, never turn your puppy outside by itself. That is particularly true for a very young puppy, but regardless, never leave your puppy unaccompanied. Stay outside with your pet until it ready to come inside.

Second, puppies are much more sensitive to cold weather and harsh weather conditions. You must never leave a puppy out in cold weather for long periods of time. When housebreaking a puppy in the winter, it is important to know that they are much more susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite.

Hypothermia simply means not enough heat. In other words, exposure to extreme cold over too long a period of time can lead to a condition where your puppy's body can no longer warm itself. If you see your dog begin to shiver or show other signs of discomfort, take it inside immediately.

Frostbite occurs after prolonged exposure to freezing cold. In this case, the cold damages the skin, and you can identify frostbite when you see tissue turning white or pale. The parts of dog most susceptible are the ears, tail area, and the webbing between the toes.

Here are some pointers to help housebreak your puppy:

(1)Begin housebreaking your puppy at around 8 weeks. (2)carry out housebreaking according to a schedule. (3)Let your puppy go outside if you notice it seems to want to go outside. (4)Expect to take your puppy outside every two hours. (5)Take it outside shortly after feeding. (6)Never leave your puppy outside alone. (7)Spend no more time than necessary outdoors when the weather is bitter cold.

Follow these tips, and both you and your dog will come through the cold weather just fine, and your dog will use its new housebreaking training during the more clement months of the year.


Discover basic puppy training techniques found here! Find free tips on housebreaking your puppy at any time of the year!

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