Pug Training With a Leash and Crate
For most Pugs, the opportunity to run around in a big yard just can’t happen. Pugs are more likely to spend their days cooped up in the house while their owner or family goes out. This makes creating a potty schedule difficult.
A combination of crate and leash training works for some Pugs. If the adult Pug is new to your family or returning home after time in a kennel while you were away, you may have to reinforce his potty training.
One way to train is by using a crate during the day and incorporate a leash that isn’t too restricting when you are at home with your Pug. Keeping your Pug locked up and unable to roam around all day is not really the best answer – but it is a part of the training process.
Begin as you would with a puppy and schedule regular potty breaks. Be sure to make the breaks long enough after a meal so that the Pug can actually eliminate something worthwhile on the trip outside.
Start by devoting a whole weekend to observing your Pug on a leash when he is out of his crate so that you can learn the signs that he needs to use the bathroom. Your Pug might act shaky or agitated and may even squat down. Take these signs as your cue to take pup outside.
Remember to praise him lavishly when he does his business during the potty break. That’s the positive reinforcement needed to show your Pug where he’s supposed to do his business.
If you went out of town and had to leave your Pug in a kennel, you may need to start training all over again. Since the Pug went potty in the same place that he ate and slept, he may be feeling really depressed.
Pugs don’t like to mix potty with living space anymore than you want to eliminate on the floor in your kitchen. So he needs to start again and build up confidence in his potty skills and in the willingness of the adult on duty to take him out when he needs to go.
For older Pugs, holding urine is a much easier task because their bladders are much more developed than a puppy’s. However, if your Pug experiences a lot of potty problems he may have diarrhea, a urinary tract infection or one of many medical problems that lead to frequent accidents.
If you notice a drastic change in your Pug’s behavior, particularly potty behaviors for no apparent reason, you will want to have him checked out by a veterinarian. The problems might be something more serious.
During the time he’s being treated for the medical condition, go easy on the potty training. Your Pug needs to feel well and be reasonably able to manage his urine and elimination so that he can cooperate with your training. Keep him on a leash when he’s not in the crate and carefully care for him by helping notice signs that he needs to potty while he recovers.
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