Housebreaking puppies in the winter is not all that different than potty training your puppy during other parts of the year. Along with bringing a new dog home, this is one of the most important training steps you'll take with your dog. However, because winter weather often means extreme cold, there are precautions you to be aware of. In some cases, if your weather is bitterly extreme, it may not even be possible to housebreak your puppy outside.
In my opinion, the most important point to be aware of when taking a puppy outside in the winter is the cold. This may seem obvious, but when dealing with harsh weather it is important to be aware of the breed of dog as well as the age of your puppy. Generally, most puppies are ready for potty training at 8 weeks, but that doesn't mean they are all created equal when it comes to the weather.
When housebreaking a puppy in the winter it is imperative that when you take your dog outside that you stay with it the entire time. You must not leave it alone. It is also important not to keep it outside too long. Watch your puppy. Does it look or act like it might be cold? If so, take it inside. Follow the rule that if you are cold and uncomfortable, your puppy probably is as well--so take it inside.
In the winter it is especially important to understand hypothermia and frostbite. Frostbite may seem self explanatory. It is essentially tissue damage due to cold. In other words, the skin freezes and depending on the degree, may suffer extreme damage. Damaged skin is generally pale or white. Keep an eye on the skin between your dog's toes, the ears, and tail area.
Hypothermia means under heated or lack of heat. "Hypo" means under or not enough and "thermia" refers to heat. This is a condition that occurs when the body can no longer produce the heat necessary to sustain life. The message here is don't leave your puppy alone outside during the winter. Never leave it for outside in the cold for prolonged periods of time.
If you follow this advice and apply the basic elements of potty training for puppies to your new dog, you and your pet are sure to come through potty training just fine regardless of time of year.
More Helpful Links
Winter Time Potty Training
How to Bring a New Puppy Home
Techniques for Bringing a New Dog Home
How to Crate Train Puppies
Essential House Training tips
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Housebreaking your puppy is one of the first major basic puppy training experiences you will share with your dog. We offer dog training tips to help you help your puppy through potty training in all seasons as well as other essential tips needed to understand dog and puppy behavior.
