12/18/2023
Hey guys! This is my new puppy Nyx, she is 3/4 GSD and 1/4 Border Collie. She is 11 weeks old now and was 8 weeks when we got her so you know we have been busy potty training. I wanted to post my routine and set up with her so you have an idea of how I potty train my puppies.
I've gotten a piece of Fake Turf Grass and for a bottom catch tray, I used the bottom part of a kennel that I no longer use. You can use anything with an edge for a catch tray, a small edge can help keep your turf from sliding around. I put puppy pads underneath the turf so it helps soak up the urine and makes cleaning much easier. I have at least 2 pieces of turf so that one can be washed and hung to dry while the other is in use. I also change the pads regularly to keep the smell from becoming too noticeable and keep the turf pad in the area that I keep her in.
Since she is 2-3 months old, I take her outside every 2-3 hours or so, depending on the time of day. If we wake up from sleeping in the morning or a nap, we immediately go outside to potty. If Nyx is playing with toys, she goes outside every 20-40 minutes. If she just finished eating, she goes outside within 20-40 minutes and we walk around until she finally does her business. She will usually p*e but if she does not poo, then she goes into a confined area like a kennel or her playpen that has her turf in it. If she is in her playpen then I'm usually supervising her in case she tries to potty and misses her turf. If she has an accident, as soon as possible, I guide her to her turf and tell her to potty on the grass. If she is in her playpen and has not had an accident yet, then i will watch for her to start sniffing the floor. This is usually my sign that she needs to potty and we go outside until she successfully goes potty
When I clean up her mess, I will have them either on leash or in their kennel where they can watch me clean it and I always make sure I have a solution that helps eliminate the urine enzymes. If the enzymes aren't broken down, the smell will remain for the dogs and possibly be a reason your dog likes to potty in a specific area. I like to use Odoban