Housebreaking Puppy Tip: Water

Water... Give only what the dog needs:

Determine how much water can fit into the dog's belly
A little puppy's belly can't possibly hold a full bowl's worth of water... start with 2 or 3 fingers worth and go from there

Do not let the dog warehouse water

• Make it a point that the dog must tinkle after each watering and before it gets more water (under normal circumstances)
  
• close the toilet cover
  
• notice the planters
  
• do you have plants, a low lying fish tank, open toilet seats?

Does the dog REALLY need water?

• just because the dog is panting doesn't necessarily mean it needs water
  
• what was this dog doing to make it thirsty?
  
• when was the last watering?
  
• has the dog tinkled yet?
  
• how warm, dry is the environment?

All these points should be considered during your dog's training.
Article posted courtesy of ThePoop.com's Expert Dog Trainers

Comments

[S F Lee]

I disagree with this!!!

Water should be available at ALL TIMES to a dog.

I certainly would not want someone restricting what I am able to drink and no living being should be restricted (unless for health reasons) on water.

[JBD]

SF, I have to agree with the article in terms of puppy training. You must watch the water intake while housebreaking. Adult dogs should definitely have access to water at all times, but you can control it when they're learning as a puupy. You're not leaving them alone more than 4-5 hours anyway at that stage so they're ok.

[w.]

This is a terrible article.....you should not limit and with hold water from a puppy!!!!
having a puppy take time. if you cant give water then get a different pet.
W

[JeniferZPug]

I agree with the article and JBD above - my girl was having problems housebreaking, then when the vet heard she had open water availability he said to monitor the water and give at certain times. This was 8 years ago so I forget how often but it totally worked. once she was all trained, she went back to open water with no problems. like SF said, it's not like you leave them for a long time when they're that young.

[George B.]

our new puppy is seven or eight weeks old. we give food at 6 AM. and six Pm. with water. we also give water at about 3Pm.we let him have water till he walks away, I hope it is enough? To me it seems to be enough since we get tinkle from him about 6 times a day durring our very short trips to the back yard?

[susi q]

I'm scared