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.
Unless there be any misunderstanding, hypothermia means a prolonged condition where the body is under heated. When this occurs beyond a certain point, the body becomes unable to heat itself and dies. In other words, your puppy's body temperature falls too low to recover. When you see your puppy begin to show signs of discomfort, such as shivering, take it inside. Remember, if you are cold and uncomfortable, it is likely that your pet is, as well.
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 a few fundamentals to keep in mind when housebreaking during the winter:
(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.
If you do nothing else but follow the pointers above, you and your puppy will survive a cold winter without problem. Even better, once the weather improves, your dog will continue to use its new skills as a housebroken pet.
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.
Unless there be any misunderstanding, hypothermia means a prolonged condition where the body is under heated. When this occurs beyond a certain point, the body becomes unable to heat itself and dies. In other words, your puppy's body temperature falls too low to recover. When you see your puppy begin to show signs of discomfort, such as shivering, take it inside. Remember, if you are cold and uncomfortable, it is likely that your pet is, as well.
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 a few fundamentals to keep in mind when housebreaking during the winter:
(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.
If you do nothing else but follow the pointers above, you and your puppy will survive a cold winter without problem. Even better, once the weather improves, your dog will continue to use its new skills as a housebroken pet.
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