Housebreaking a Russian Toy Terrier: How to Teach Your Puppy to Go on a Pad or Outside

Title: Teaching a Russian Toy Terrier to Be Clean: How to Train a Puppy to Relieve Itself on a Pad or Outside

The Toy Terrier is a breed of dog that can be challenging to train to go to the bathroom outside. This is related to their physiology. Small dogs find it difficult to hold on until their walk, and it's sad to take them out in bad weather. However, Toy Terriers can be trained to use a pad, newspaper, or litter box.

What to Choose: Pad, Litter Box, or Paper

Before training a puppy to use the bathroom in the house, it's important to decide where it will relieve itself:

• Litter Box. For the dog, choose plastic or metal trays, as wooden ones absorb moisture and start to emit an unpleasant odor. You can train the puppy to use either an empty litter box or one with filler. Suitable fillers include scraps of paper, grass, or cat litter.
• Pad. It's better to buy reusable pads for the dog’s toilet that can be washed by hand. However, regular disposable ones will also work.
• Newspapers. It's easier to train a puppy to go on paper. However, paper does not absorb all the liquid, so to protect the floor, you will need to place a plastic sheet under the newspaper.

Immediately determine the location where the puppy's toilet will be placed. It should be convenient for both the dog and its owners.

How to Train a Toy Terrier to Use the Indoor Toilet

To train the Toy Terrier to go in a specific place in the house, you need to remove all carpets and soft materials from the floor. Warn family members not to leave shoes in the hallway. After all, the puppy prefers to relieve itself on a soft surface. It will be problematic to wean it off such places.

Now, you need to observe the puppy's behavior. When its playfulness turns into anxiety, and the Toy Terrier starts to whine, walk in circles, or pace in place, you should pick it up and take it to the toilet. If the Toy Terrier successfully relieves itself, be sure to praise it, give it a treat, or reward it with play. Also, carry the dog to the pad or litter box immediately after feeding or waking up.

Before starting the training, keep in mind that you will need to take the puppy to the toilet up to 10-12 times a day. It’s important to be patient and not scold the little one if it relieves itself in the wrong place. Otherwise, it may start leaving puddles under the bed or cabinets where you won't notice them right away.

Dogs are clean animals; they won't relieve themselves in a dirty place. After each toilet visit, it's important to clean it up. Use cleaning products that do not contain ammonia; otherwise, the smell of urine will only intensify and confuse the puppy.

How to Help a Toy Terrier Get Used to Walking Outside

There’s no point in training a puppy to go outside until it is 4 months old. By this time, it’s important to have all the necessary vaccinations to avoid putting its health at risk. When training the dog to go outside, follow these recommendations:

• Walk the puppy at least 5-6 times a day. Be sure to take walks after sleeping and eating. Also, take the puppy outside when it shows signs of anxiety.
• Choose quiet places for the toilet, away from roads and crowded areas. It’s important that nothing distracts the puppy from the purpose of the walk.
• If the dog is on a leash, it’s crucial to loosen it completely during the “procedure” and not to tug.
• When the puppy relieves itself, praise it and offer a treat.
• Do not bring the dog inside immediately after it goes to the toilet. This will create a clear connection in the puppy’s mind between “relieving itself” and the end of the walk. Then the little one may hold it in to play and run around more. It might even stop doing its business outside altogether to avoid being taken back inside.

Training a Toy Terrier to be clean is not difficult. However, this process will take more than one day. It’s important to show maximum patience so as not to scare the puppy and not to instill bad habits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Choose the Right Place for the Puppy’s Toilet?

It’s important to choose a convenient place where the puppy can relieve itself. It should be accessible for both the dog and its owners, and away from carpets and soft materials.

How Often Should a Toy Terrier Be Walked Outside?

A Toy Terrier should be walked at least 5-6 times a day, especially after sleeping and eating. This will help train it to go to the toilet outside.

How to Train a Puppy to Use the Toilet on a Pad?

Observe the puppy's behavior and take it to the pad when it shows signs of anxiety. Be sure to praise it after successful use.

Can Newspapers Be Used for the Toilet?

Yes, newspapers can be used, but they do not absorb liquid completely. It is recommended to place a plastic sheet under the newspaper to protect the floor.

What to Do If the Puppy Relieves Itself in the Wrong Place?

Do not scold the puppy; otherwise, it may start leaving puddles in hard-to-reach places. Instead, clean up after it and continue the training.