Housebreaking Your Miniature Pinscher
What is the best way to potty train a small dog like a Miniature Pinscher?
The most important part of housebreaking, and I cannot stress this enough, is that you must have time to spend with your Min Pin to train her. She’s not going to magically learn on her own. When I said a Min Pin is an investment of time and energy, this is what I was talking about!
Now, you don’t have to be with her every second. But gradually you will learn her signals, and she will learn your rules.
Min Pin puppies have small bladders and weak muscles. They aren’t going in the house out of spite (at first!); they really just can’t hold it. It’s up to you to be there and ready to take her out when she is ready to go.
Question:
How long will it take to housebreak my Min Pin puppy?
The answer to this question is that the actual amount of time can vary, much like when you are potty training a small child. Some just take to it faster than others. But you should give your puppy at least six months of a good, solid effort on both parts.
Question:
I adopted a rescued Min Pin and I’m afraid he has problems beyond what I can help him with. For the week that he’s been here, he’s only gone to the bathroom outside twice. Usually he just pees on the floor.
Adopted adult dogs may require even more patience and understanding than puppies. Some have been traumatized before the adoption, by their abandonment or possible abuse. Others simply don’t know your home; they don’t know where they’re not allowed to go, or are nervous and frightened by their new surroundings.
Be as patient as possible. Spend lots of time outdoors with your newly adopted dog, taking them for a walk once an hour to give them a chance to relieve themselves outside. Praise your dog when they go outside. Eventually, they will get the hang of it, though it seems frustrating at first. After all, a fully grown dog makes a much bigger mess than a puppy!
Question:
I’ve heard of so many different training techniques, I’m getting confused. What works best for a Min Pin?
This is one of the questions I am asked most. There are different methods that will work; it’s a matter of choosing one and being consistent. Trying for a week and then deciding it just isn’t work isn’t really giving it your best effort. It doesn’t mean the dog is untrainable or dirty, they just aren’t ready yet!
First and foremost, learn your dog’s signals. Does he whine just before he has a bowel movement? Does he seem to circle around looking for a place to urinate? Different dogs have different cues, so watch and learn yours well. (There’s that constant attention and time factor again!)
I’ve listed several training methods below. Read through them and decide which one will work for you and your puppy. Much of this decision will depend on the amount of time you have to dedicate to training.
