5 Interesting Facts About Potty Training Your Dog
Updated On: Tuesday, June 28, 2022 08:44:06 AM America/Los_Angeles
Potty training for dogs has some tried and true rules: be consistent, set a schedule, and provide plenty of positive reinforcement. But there may be a couple of potty-related facts that may surprise even the most seasoned dog owner. Check out these interesting details that can actually provide some insight into the process!
Photo by sq lim
Why Dogs Lay on Pee Pads
Dog pawrents are often stumped when their furry ones choose to lay on their pee pad instead of using them as a pet potty. After all, it’s not often you see humans laying around the toilet in their spare time. But for canines, the smells on a pee pad can offer a sense of familiarity and therefore function like a security blanket. Worried about hygiene? A real grass pee pad like DoggieLawn is a more hygienic alternative if you have a dog that enjoys to lounge around on their potty.
Training in Reverse
Some doggos surprise their owners by seemingly forgetting their successful potty training. There’s actually a term for this–reverse potty training. Despite what it sounds like, reverse potty training is not training your pooch in reverse. Instead, it’s when certain life events affect a dog’s ability to remember where and when to go potty. A move, illness, or routine change are just some of the reasons that dogs may suddenly forego their training. But not to worry–repeating the training process can remedy this curious change in behavior.
Blue Pee Pads
Colorblindness is actually a myth when it comes to our canine friends. Dogs are able to see certain shades of blue, yellow, green, and gray. While companies don’t market pee pads this way, it might reason why it seems like a large majority of wee wee pads on the market are lined by blue plastic.
Dog Noses and Their Heat-sensing Abilities
Being able to sense heat is important to dogs for a number of reasons–least of which is to sniff out potty areas being used by either themselves or other animals. Smell is critical for very young puppies who don’t develop their eyesight or hearing until about three weeks of age. It’s also an important way for blind dogs to navigate their surroundings.
Vets Can Help!
Most dog owners don’t think of their vet as the person to contact when it comes to potty behaviors. And though trainers have a wealth of knowledge, vets can get you and your pup headed in the right direction too. Not only might they have trusted referrals, vets will also be able to tell you more about how your fur baby’s life stage is affecting their potty behavior as well as provide some breed-related info.
