How to Potty Train a Puppy and Be the Alpha Dog

One important part of learning how to potty train a puppy is learning how to establish yourself as an alpha dog. Puppies, like all dogs, are pack animals and think as such. In a pack there is one alpha dog who is in charge of defending and worrying about the rest of the pack.

Some people think the idea of establishing yourself as the alpha dog over your puppy is a cruel concept but actually you alleviate a lot of stress and worry from the puppy by doing so properly. You also make it a lot easier to learn how to potty train a puppy, in fact you make it easier for any kind of training. It's good for you, it's good for your puppy and it's fairly easy to do - if started soon enough.

A puppy, by instinct, will want to do what the alpha dog (you) wants them to. This does not mean, however, they will always do what you say. But this is usually because they don't actually know what you want from them. Talking English to your puppy won't help, even talking slowly (some people seem to think this helps).

In order to communicate your wishes with your puppy you need to consistently show them the same thing time and time again. Use rewards quickly to meet good behaviour and correct the wrong behaviour by moving them into position to do things properly.

Now, to establish yourself as the alpha dog there's a few things you can do. You need to this from a very early age because it can be much harder to convince an older dog that you're the alpha dog.

Firstly eat before they do. It doesn't need to be an entire meal but every time you serve them food be sure the see you eating a piece of toast or even a bit of fruit or something. They need to see you eating first before they do.

When you enter or leave the house, ignore the dog for a good few minutes. Don't say their name or any keywords they might know. Don't make eye contact with them, pat them or move a toy etc... This might seem cruel but paying them attention when you return or just before you leave, is actually encouraging your dog to worry about you when you're out. Not only does this make your dog panic when you're not around (which isn't healthy and can result in chewed furniture) it puts them in the position of worry and they become the alpha dog in charge of caring for you.

By making these few small changes you can make it a lot easier for you to work on how to potty train a puppy as well as just helping them be happier in the long run.