How to Potty Train a Greyhound Puppy

Greyhounds are intelligent and sensitive dogs. They are highly independent so it is best to train and socialize them at a young age. Begin potty training as soon as you bring your puppy home, ideally at 2 to 3 months old. You need to be patient and consistent when potty training any puppy, and even more so with greyhound puppies because of their sensitive nature. Greyhounds are affectionate but easily stressed, so you should not leave your puppy alone for more than a few hours.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog leash
  • Deodorizer
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Instructions

  1. The Place

    • 1

      Designate the place you want your greyhound puppy to go potty. Take your puppy to that spot first thing every morning, just before bed, every time he wakes up from a nap and after eating. Discipline yourself to take your puppy outside every time he has to go.

    • 2

      Associate the potty place with your dog's natural need to relieve itself. Puppies have limited bladder control and will need to go outside every couple of hours. Relate the smells and texture of the grass in your yard with your puppy's natural needs. If you do not have a yard or park nearby and need to potty train your greyhound puppy indoors, use newspaper or other material that is easy to remove or clean. Place the newspapers in the same location and bring your puppy there every time.

    • 3

      Limit the space your new puppy can roam. Some people confine their puppy to a crate for sleeping and while they are out. You can also block off part of a room with portable gates. Your puppy will learn to let you know when it has to relieve itself since it wants to keep its sleeping and eating area clean.

    Praise

    • 4

      Lavish praise on your puppy every time it goes potty in the right place. Some people use treats as a reward, but your puppy really wants your approval and love. Greyhounds have a hunting instinct to chase small animals, so a dog biscuit may not be too enticing if there is a rabbit nearby. Your praise is the best reward.

    • 5

      Respond to your puppy when it starts to let you know it has to go potty. Take it to the designated spot immediately if you see your puppy start to walk around sniffing, or if it is in a crate and starts to whine. Praise your puppy for letting you know as you make your way to the door, and praise it again when it relieves itself in the right place.

    • 6

      Use positive reinforcement to potty train your greyhound puppy. It is likely your pup will have some accidents. Clean these up immediately, using a deodorizer to neutralize the odor of urine or feces. Dogs have a keen sense of smell and will relieve themselves where they or other dogs have already done so. Eliminate odors where you do not want your puppy to relieve itself.