Potty Training Methods for Italian Greyhound Puppies

Italian greyhounds are an ancient breed of dogs more than 2,000 year old. Italian greyhounds are the smallest species of gazehounds, which are dogs that hunt by sight. Italian greyhounds have short hair, and as a result tend to feel cold and exhibit a dislike for cold and wet weather. Therefore, potty training methods for an Italian greyhound puppy should include both indoor and outdoor training that is coupled with reinforcement and praise.

  1. Temperament and Timing

    • Italian greyhound's are a temperamentally sensitive breed. As a result, potty training Italian greyhound's can turn into an exercise that requires a great amount of patience and perseverance on your part. Italian greyhound puppies younger than 3 months possess limited bladder control and reflexes. Hence, they should not be reprimanded for potty mistakes made during this period. Puppies can be fully potty trained by around 1 year old. Prevent accidents by being vigilant during the training period. Look for cues such as persistent circling, sniffing of the ground and whining, which indicate that the puppy wants to relieve himself. Observe your puppy for cues especially after meals, play and naps.

    Indoor Training

    • Designate a specific area in your house where you want the Italian greyhound puppy to relieve himself. Use either a shallow plastic or metal tray, paper or litter box on which your puppy can relieve itself. Place the tray in an area of the house where the puppy regularly uses and cover it with newspaper. Start potty training by soaking a paper towel in some of the puppy's poop or urine and place it in the tray. The soaked paper towel will scent the potty area and signal to puppy that it is the desired area to relieve itself. If you notice your puppy relieving himself outside the tray, lift him up even as he's in the midst of doing his job and place him in the designated area. Do not change the location of the tray from the designated area because this will confuse the dog.

    Outdoor Training

    • When potty training outdoors, you should establish a regular feeding and outdoor potty trip schedule. Carry the puppy straight out of the door to relieve himself when he wakes up from a nap, after meals or play to prevent potty accidents around the house. Puppies experience a reflex peeing action when they step out of their crate. If the puppy is already potty trained indoors, you should deposit a paper towel that is soaked in the puppy's poop or urine in a designated area outside the house where you want him to relieve himself. The puppy will be attracted by its scent to instinctively relieve itself in the same spot. If the puppy does not relieve himself when you take him out, bring him back indoors, keep a keen eye on him and take him out again after 15 minutes. Repeat this process until the puppy relieves himself outdoors.

    Reinforcement

    • Use verbal reinforcement to let the puppy know that it has done a good or bad job. If the puppy relieves himself in the wrong place, scold him by sternly saying "bad boy" or "no." Enthusiastically praise him when he relieves himself in the designated area by saying "good boy." Blend preventative and reinforcement techniques into your potty training schedule to successfully train your Italian Greyhound puppy.