You love your new puppy, but what you probably do not love is housebreaking your new pet. You want to keep the carpets in your home clean, but it can be challenging when your puppy is still learning. Try these pet stain prevention tips, and your new friend can make a painless transition into your family.
Introduce Your Puppy Slowly
When you first bring your puppy home, he does not need full run of your entire house. Plan to keep your puppy in one room or area of your home for the first few weeks. You can use a small gate to keep him in his room while still being within view of you and your family. A bathroom or laundry room is a good choice for evenings or if you must be away for extended periods.
As your puppy becomes more accustomed to your house, allow him access to other rooms. Make sure to keep an eye on your puppy while he explores. If you notice him showing signs of eliminating, immediately take him outside.
Use Training Pads
Training pads are very useful as part of your housebreaking process. These pads are designed to attract your puppy so that elimination is done on the pad. Pads should not be used as a substitute for housebreaking, but as a temporary pet stain prevention measure until your puppy is fully trained.
At regular intervals, move the training pad closer to the door. This will help gradually guide your puppy outdoors. In addition to using training pads, the Humane Society recommends the following housebreaking tips:
- Put your puppy on a regular feeding schedule.
- Walk your puppy every two hours and after she eats or drinks.
- Take your puppy to the same spot outdoors and provide praise when she is finished.
Clean Up Accidents Quickly
With a puppy, accidents are going to happen. The faster you clean up, the less chance there is for stains to set into your carpet. If you are faced with a solid mess, scoop it up with paper towels first. Then use a damp rag to gently blot up any residue.
For liquids, blot as much moisture as possible with paper towels or a clean rag. Continue blotting until the area is dry. Do not rub or scrub the area—this only spreads the stain.
The Humane Society recommends that you avoid using products containing vinegar or ammonia on the stain. The odor can actually attract your pet to the area. Place the urine-soaked towels or rags on your puppy's training pad or right next to the door you use when you go for walks. This will reinforce your housebreaking training.
While pet stain prevention is the one of the easiest ways to keep your carpets clean, housebreaking problems are not the only source of pet stains. Until you know how your puppy behaves, try to keep food and beverages out of any play zones. An excited puppy is likely to knock everything over, leaving you with more to clean up.
ZEROREZ® can help you clean up your pet's accidents with ZeroStink, which destroys most pet stain odors on contact, rather than simply masking them. The ZEROREZ® system protects your family's and your pet's health because no chemicals are used in the carpet cleaning process. You can even buy an extra bottle to keep for the occasional accident in between carpet cleaning visits!
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
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